SCHROFF INTRODUCES INDUSTRYS FIRST 14-SLOT FULL MESH BACKPLANE DESIGNED FOR ADVANCEDTCA

SCHROFF INTRODUCES INDUSTRYS FIRST 14-SLOT FULL MESH BACKPLANE DESIGNED FOR ADVANCEDTCA

Warwick, RI, March 2003 -- Schroff®, the global leader in electronic enclosure solutions, has introduced the industrys first 14-slot full mesh backplane for AdvancedTCA applications. The new backplane is the latest in a series of Schroff packaging solutions designed for the forthcoming PICMG 3.0 specification, called AdvancedTCA (ATCAÔ), being developed by the PCI Industrial Computers Manufacturers Group (PICMG®).

The backplane features integrated connectors for interfacing to a fan unit, and for interfacing to dual shelf managers. The shelf manager interface is based on Intel® ZT 7102 Chassis Monitoring Modules (CMMs) with software enhancements to support added ATCA functionality.

The new Schroff ATCA backplane measures 344 mm high x 430 mm wide X 8 mm thick. Options include varying slot counts from 2 to 14, special bussing configurations to meet customer needs, Dual Star architecture, and power supply and cooling interconnects.

AdvancedTCA is PICMGs designation for the PICMG 3.x family of draft specifications. The open, multi-vendor ATCA architecture is designed to provide extremely high processor density and communications bandwidth, augmented with robust mechanical and electrical definitions. Although PICMG is developing ATCA specifically to address the need for central office grade equipment in the telecom sector, the architecture is also drawing heavy interest from the datacom and military equipment markets.

The new Schroff backplane is available immediately. Pricing ranges from $500 to $5000 depending on slot count and architecture.

For more information about Schroff packaging solutions for AdvancedTCA, please visit www.a-tca.com, call 888-550-9543, or contact Technical Sales, Tel: 401-732-3770; Email: infoatca@pentair-ep.com; Web: www.a-tca.com.

-30-

READER SERVICE INQUIRIES: Please forward all reader service inquiries to George Ross, Pentair Electronic Packaging, Schroff Products, 170 Commerce Drive, Warwick, RI 02886; Email: gross@pentair-ep.com.

EDITORS NOTE: Pentair Electronic Packaging, headquartered in Warwick, RI, offers the complete range of SchroffÒ products, a world-leading brand of subracks and accessories, instrument cases, 19" cabinets, backplanes, integrated systems and enclosure hardware; and complete enclosure systems for CompactPCI and VME. More information is available at www.schroff.us.

Pentair Electronic Packaging also manufactures customer-specific enclosure systems including NEBS and outdoor aluminum enclosures; and high volume stamped chassis; as well as custom backplane design and 4-level system integration. Pentair Electronic Packaging, with 6 manufacturing locations in North and South America, is a subsidiary of Pentair, Inc., St. Paul, MN, (NYSE: PNR) a diversified manufacturer that operates in three principal markets: electrical and electronic enclosures, professional tools and equipment, and water and fluid technologies. More information is available at www.pentair-ep.com.

About PICMG: Founded in 1994, PICMG is a consortium of over 600 companies that collaboratively develops open specifications for high performance telecommunications and industrial computing applications. The members of the consortium have a long history of developing leading edge products for these industries. Recently, PICMG announced a new series of specifications for next-generation telecommunications equipment, AdvancedTCA (for Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture). The AdvancedTCA core specification PICMG 3.0 is targeted for completion by the end of 2002. For more information on AdvancedTCA or to view a short form version of an interim draft of the 3.0 specification, visit http://www.advancedtca.org/.

For information about PICMG membership, or to find out how to obtain PICMG specifications, visit the PICMG website at http://www.picmg.org or call PICMG headquarters at (781) 246-9318.
PICMG is a registered trademark of the PCI Industrial Computers Manufacturers Group. AdvancedTCA and ATCA are trademarks of the PCI Industrial Computers Manufacturers Group.