Akron, Ohio - March 18, 2003-- Quatech, Inc., the industry's fastest-growing manufacturer of serial connectivity products, has expanded its line of high-speed serial PC Cards (or PCMCIA Cards) by offering ruggedized cables on selected models. The permanently attached cable assures reliable communication between the PC Card and an attached serial device in demanding portable-computing environments, such as in-vehicle, off-road, factory, and backpack-based field data collection.

Serial PC cards are used to add serial ports to a laptop or embedded PC. Some applications require an especially secure and reliable connection -- one that survives jiggling, frequent movement, dust and dirt. Quatech's new cards with fixed cables provide a secure connection plus asynchronous data communication speeds up to 921.6 kbps-- an eight-fold improvement over the 115.2 kbps provided by a typical, non-optimized serial port.

In each of Quatech's ruggedized PC Cards, the cable is directly attached to the circuit board, preventing vibration or movement from disturbing the connection. It is secured with a molded plastic connector that shields the connection from dust, moisture, and lateral stress. The fixed cable also prevents loose connections caused by the normal wear of the cable connector.

Initially, Quatech is offering ruggedized versions of three of its RS-232 PCMCIA products: single-port and dual-port asynchronous cards, and a single-port synchronous card. Each PC Card includes a cable terminating in one or two DB-9 connectors, except for the synchronous card, which terminates in a DB-25 cable.

These cards complement Quatech's existing line of standard PCMCIA products with detachable cables that include RS-232 and RS-422/485 asynchronous serial cards with up to four ports, and single port RS-232 and RS-422/485 synchronous serial cards.

SSP-100 and DSP-100 Serial PC-Cards
Quatech's SSP-100 and DSP-100 serial PC Cards provide the highest speed serial connectivity available. Exceptionally deep-memory buffers along with Quatech's special clock-multiplying feature make the cards capable of data rates up to 921.6 kbps.

These cards can be used in any laptop or notebook computer with a Type II PCMCIA drive, or in a desktop computer equipped with a compatible PCMCIA drive. The cards are compatible with both 3.3V and 5V systems and have low power requirements that help extend the run-time of laptop batteries.

Windows CE drivers enable the cards to be used in most popular handheld devices where ports are increasingly scarce. Support for the SSP-100 and DSP-100 PC Cards is also provided for Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP, LINUX and OS/2.

The MPAP-100 Serial PC-Card
The MPAP-100 enables high-speed, highly reliable synchronous communication between a laptop and attached device. It can support asynchronous formats, byte-oriented synchronous protocols such as IBM Bisync, and bit-oriented synchronous protocols such as HDLC and SDLC. Synchronous communication is used in a wide range of highly specialized applications, including communication with a satellite link from a battlefield and uploading data from 'black boxes' on military jets. Quatech is one of only a few major suppliers of synchronous PCMCIA products.

Support for the MPAP-100 is provided for Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP, and OS/2.

Pricing and Availability
The Ruggedized Serial PC Cards are available from Quatech from stock.

SSPR-100, 1-port asynchronous serial PC Card, with ruggedized DB-9 cable: $149

DSPR-100, 2-port asynchronous serial PC Card, with ruggedized DB-9 cable: $219

MPAPR-100, 1-port synchronous serial PC Card, with ruggedized DB-25 cable: $419

For more information, call 800-553-1170 and talk with a sales engineer, email sales@quatech.com, or visit Quatech's website at http://www.quatech.com.

About Quatech
Quatech supplies the industry's most reliable data connectivity 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 mid-size system integrators and VARs in a variety of markets including banking, retail, industrial process control, security, and hospitality. Quatech is the number one provider of serial connectivity to financial institutions, serving five of the top 10 banks. Founded in 1983, and headquartered in Akron, Ohio, the company sells and supports its solutions through a network of distributors in over 30 countries. Website: www.quatech.com.

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