New line enables expanding thin client serial connectivity with plug-in boards

Akron OH, February 27--Quatech Inc., a leading manufacturer of data communication products, today announced the release of six new multiport serial Low Profile PCI boards. These boards are the first to utilize the Low Profile footprint and fully comply with all other aspects of the PCI 2.2 specification.

Low Profile PCI cards have the same signal protocols, electrical interface, and configuration as standard height PCI boards. This allows designers to create lower profile stand-alone "thin-client" and high-density rack-mount PC chassis as low as 3.350" while maintaining the ability to use add-in boards. Manufacturers of low profile systems include IBM, Neoware, Wyse, and several white-box companies.

Quatech's Low Profile PCI boards are built on 32-bit addressing, and can be used in either standard or low profile PCI backplanes. All Quatech Low Profile PCI products adhere to the MD1 board length specification-the smallest form of Low Profile PCI. They are also narrow enough to fit all 2U rack mount systems without using riser cards. Quatech's serial Low Profile PCI line leverages the company's extensive PCI expertise to provide the same rich features found in their standard PCI boards, such as four-layer board design for improved signal integrity, shared interrupts, 16-byte FIFOs, and enhanced board speeds of up to 921.6 kbps.

Quatech Low Profile PCI boards have many unique features. For example, their automatic RS-422/485 transmitter enable/disable function permits the hardware itself to regulate data flow by only driving lines while actively transmitting -- providing increased speed and convenience over the older software controlled method. Quatech boards also use a universal PCI connector compatible with both the 3.3V connector key required by the specification and the 5V connection used by older PC and thin client systems. This means that they can be used with current equipment and will not need to be replaced as systems are upgraded.

Quatech Low Profile PCI boards are available for RS-232 and RS-422/485 protocols in one, two and four port versions. Configuration and pricing are as follows: SSCLP-100-one port RS-232, $109; DSCLP-100-two port RS-232, $159; QSCLP-100-four port RS-232, $229; SSCLP-200/300-one port RS-422/485, $149; DSCLP-200/300-two port RS-422/485, $199.

For more information, call 1-800-553-1170, e-mail sales@quatech.com, or visit the company's website.

About Quatech: Quatech supplies the industry's most reliable data communication and data acquisition solutions. It achieves this high level of reliability by virtue of quality design and manufacturing, and service and support that exceed expectations. Its customers include Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and small and midsize system integrators and VARs in a wide variety of markets including banking, retail, industrial process control, security, and hospitality. Founded in 1983, and headquartered in Akron, OH, the company sells and supports its solutions through a network of distributors in over 30 countries. Website: www.quatech.com.
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