Contec Co. Ltd., a manufacturer of PC-based instrument interfaces and industrial computers, has developed two new PCI slot expansion units, the "PCI bus expansion chassis (7 models), model numbers: ECH(PCI)SF-***" and "expansion adapter (2 models), model numbers: EAD(**)SF", which will go on sale progressively starting from July 2004. These PC peripherals use the latest "StarFabric" technology, which consists of high-speed serial transmission and a PCI bridge, to enable PCI boards to be used at a distance of up to 12m from the PC.  This new series of PCI slot expansion units can extend a PCI bus using category 5 cable*1. The units use "StarFabric" technology to provide a fully compatible PCI bus bridge with high-speed serial transmission over a 5Gbps full duplex link (2.5Gbps send/2.5Gbps receive). This enables PCI boards to be used in a PCI bus expansion chassis located up to 12m from the PC. The PCI boards can be installed in the same way as on the main chassis of the PC and no special device drivers are required*2. Another important feature is that the power supply of the PCI bus expansion chassis can be turned on or off automatically in conjunction with the PC power with no additional cabling other than the category 5 cable*1.  Uses for the new expansion units are not just limited to the obvious cases where cabling issues meant that the cable length (1m) provided by the previous bus expansion method (PCI to PCI bridge) was inadequate. Instead, the ability to use the wide range of available PCI cards at locations separate from the PC represents a new platform structure whereby the PC ("brain") used to operate a piece of equipment can be separate from the equipment itself. This has applications in many areas such as semiconductor manufacturing equipment, robotics and motor control, high-speed remote I/O, and CTI.  The expansion adapter and PCI bus expansion chassis are sold separately and the optimum combination of PC expansion slot specification, number of PCI slots, and board size for your system can be selected from the 12 different options available.  The PCI bus expansion chassis is available in two forms: a stylish and compact black chassis with an AC adapter, and a robust steel chassis with an internal power supply (industrial model). Together with the different slot number and board size options, a total of seven different versions are available.  The expansion adapter also comes in two types: the "EAD(LPCI)SF" for both standard PCI and low-profile PCI slots, and the "EAD(CB)SF" for PC card (CardBus) slots. Twelve meters of category 5e STP cable*1 is included in both cases, but you can also use commercially available category 5e cable*1 to make a cable to your own desired length.  These new products incorporate a chip from StarGen Inc. (Massachusetts, USA), and are the first example of a "StarFabric" expansion unit with PC card (CardBus) slots to be released anywhere in the world. Tim Miller, CEO of StarGen, had the following to say about the announcement. "StarGen is excited by the news that Contec has announced a suite of StarFabric products. The EAD(CB)SF, the world's first PCMCIA card to provide a StarFabric link, is particularly innovative, allowing an engineer to use a laptop computer with an internal 32bit/33MHz bus to connect into a StarFabric system through a CAT5e UTP cable. Together with Contec's newly announced PCI-StarFabric peripheral card and PCI expansion chassis, this provides a complete StarFabric PCI expansion solution". *1 : Twisted pair cable suitable for gigabit Ethernet. Unshielded (UTP) and shielded (STP) type cables are available. *2 : A supplied driver needs to be installed in the case of the EAD(CB)SF only. StarFabric Extension Adapter and Extension Chassis EAD(CB)SF / EAD(PCI)SF-H2B -> Larger image data [391KB] 1102 x 606pix 350dpi

[ Line up ] StarFabric Compliant Expansion Chassis Stylish and compact black chassis (AC adapter included) Short size, 2 slots ECH(PCI)SF-H2B Short size, 4 slots ECH(PCI)SF-H4B Long size, 2 slots ECH(PCI)SF-F2B Long size, 4 slots ECH(PCI)SF-F4B Robust steel chassis, Industrial model (internal power supply) Short size, 4 slots ECH(PCI)SF-H4A Long size, 7 slots ECH(PCI)SF-F7A Long size, 13 slots ECH(PCI)SF-F13A StarFabric Compliant Expansion Adapter Product Range (2 versions) CardBus PC card slot EAD(CB)SF Standard or low profile PCI slot EAD(LPCI)SF *3 :  Cannot be combined with EAD(CB)SF CardBus PC card model. *4 :  Supported on Windows XP/2000 only. [ Features ] StarFabric Compliant Expansion Chassis Black Chassis Type (AC adapter included) << ECH(PCI)SF-H2B, ECH(PCI)SF-H4B, ECH(PCI)SF-F2B, ECH(PCI)SF-F4B >> Can extend PCI bus (5V/32bit 33MHz). The ECH(PCI)SF-H2B and -F2B provide two additional slots. The ECH(PCI)SF-H4B and -F4B provide four additional slots. The ECH(PCI)SF-H2B and -H4B can mount short-size PCI bus boards. The ECH(PCI)SF-F2B and -F4B can mount long-size PCI bus boards. Expansion chassis power supply can be turned on and off automatically, linked to the PC power supply. Internal cooling fan Compact chassis design contributes to space-saving system configurations. AC adapter included. StarFabric Compliant Expansion Chassis Robust Steel Chassis (internal power supply) << ECH(PCI)SF-H4A, ECH(PCI)SF-F7A, ECH(PCI)SF-F13A >> Can extend PCI bus (5V/32bit 33MHz). The ECH(PCI)SF-H4A provides four additional slots. The ECH(PCI)SF-F7A provides seven additional slots. The ECH(PCI)SF-F13A provides thirteen additional slots. The ECH(PCI)SF-H4A can mount short-size PCI bus boards. The ECH(PCI)SF-F7A/F13A can mount long-size PCI bus boards. Expansion chassis power supply can be turned on and off automatically, linked to the PC power supply. Steel chassis suitable for use in the field. Internal cooling fan Can be rack-mounted using supplied bracket. StarFabric Compliant Expansion Adapter For CardBus PC Card Slots << EAD(CB)SF >> Uses high-speed serial transfer (2.5Gbps) to extend PCI bus up to 12m. Uses category 5e cable which is noise-resistant and easy to handle (2 x 12m STP cables included). Can be used to extend the PCI bus (5V/32bit 33MHz) on a notebook PC. You can select from a range of PCI bus slot numbers, board sizes, and expansion chassis types. Expansion chassis power supply can be turned on and off automatically, linked to the PC power supply. StarFabric Compliant Expansion Adapter For Standard PCI or Low Profile PCI Slot << EAD(LPCI)SF >> Uses high-speed serial transfer (2.5Gbps) to extend PCI bus up to 12m. PCI bus compatible. No changes to PCI boards or bus software required. Uses category 5e cable which is noise-resistant and easy to handle (2 x 12m STP cables included). Uses a single PCI bus slot on the main PC chassis to extend the PCI bus (5V/32bit 33MHz). You can select from a range of PCI bus slot numbers, board sizes, and expansion chassis types. Expansion chassis power supply can be turned on and off automatically, linked to the PC power supply. For Low Profile PCI slots. Also supports standard PCI slots used supplied bracket. [ Specifications ] StarFabric Compliant Expansion Chassis Black Chassis Type (AC adapter included) << ECH(PCI)SF-H2B, ECH(PCI)SF -H4B, ECH(PCI)SF -F2B, ECH(PCI)SF -F4B >> Item ECH(PCI)SF-H2B ECH(PCI)SF-F2B ECH(PCI)SF-H4B ECH(PCI)SF-F4B Compatible bus PCI Local Bus Specification Rev2.2 (+5V type) Address space 32-bit memory address, I/O address Interrupt level INTA to INTD Bus operating clock 33MHz (Max.) Number of user-availableslots 2 slots (short size) 2 slots (long size) 4 slots (short size) 4 slots (long size) Acceptable board sizes (mm) 176.5(L) x 107(H) 313.8(L) x 107(H) 176.5(L) x 107(H) 313.8(L) x 107(H) Power supply Expansion slot supplied power (The output current must not exceed the value on the right.) +5VDC 7A (Max.) *6 +3.3VDC 3A (Max.) *6 +12VDC 1.5A (Max.) -12VDC 0.3A (Max.) Maximum total power capacity 60W AC input line voltage *5 100 to 240VAC AC line frequency 47 to 63Hz AC power input current 2A(90VAC) Outside dimensions (mm) 71.0(W) x 144.0(H) x 222.0(L) (without rubber) 71.0(W) x 144.0(H) x 390.0(L) (without rubber) 211.0(W) x 144.0(H) x 222.0(L) (without rubber) 211.0(W) x 144.0(H) x 390.0(L) (without rubber) Weight 1.2 kg 1.6 kg 1.5 kg 2.0 kg Outside dimensions of AC adapter (mm) 85(W) x 50(H) x 155(L) Cable length of AC adapter 1.2m AC cable 1.8m with 2P ground Weight of AC adapter 0.9 kg *5 :  AC input line voltage range: 90-264VAC *6 :  The sum of +5VDC and +3.3VDC must not exceed 35W. StarFabric Compliant Expansion Chassis Robust Steel Chassis (internal power supply) << ECH(PCI)SF-H4A, ECH(PCI)SF-F7A, ECH(PCI)SF-F13A >> Item ECH(PCI)SF-H4A ECH(PCI)SF-F7A ECH(PCI)SF-F13A Compatible bus PCI Local Bus Specification Rev2.2 (+5V type) Address space 32-bit memory address, I/O address Interrupt level INTA to INTD Bus operating clock 33MHz (Max.) Number of user-available slots 4 slots (short size) 7 slots (long size) 13 slots (long size) Acceptable board sizes (mm) 176.5(L) x 107(H) 313.8(L) x 107(H) 313.8(L) x 107(H) Power supply Expansion slot supplied power (The output current must not exceed the value on the right.) +5VDC 11.3A (Max.) +3.3VDC 6A (Max.) +12VDC 3A (Max.) -12VDC 0.7A (Max.) +5VDC 18A (Max.) *8 +3.3VDC 15A (Max.) *8 +12VDC 9A (Max.) -12VDC 1A (Max.) Maximum total power capacity 130W 230W AC input line voltage*7 115/230VAC (selecting switch) AC line frequency 50 to 60Hz AC power input current 3A(115VAC)/1.5A(230VAC) 6A(115VAC)/4A(230VAC) Minimum loading current +5VDC 2A +5VDC 2.5A Outside dimensions (mm) 210.0(W) x 138.0(H) x 235.0(L) (No fittings) 300.0(W) x 138.0(H) x 373.2(L) (No fittings) 424.0(W) x 156.0(H) x 373.2(L) (No fittings) Weight 3.5 kg 5.0 kg 9.5 kg Outside dimensions of AC adapter (mm) 85(W) x 50(H) x 155(L) AC cable 2.5m 3P *7 :  AC input line voltage range: 90-132VAC and 180-250VAC *8 :  The sum of +5VDC and +3.3VDC must not exceed 90W. StarFabric Compliant Expansion Adapter For CardBus PC Card Slots << EAD(CB)SF >> Item EAD(LPCI)SF Compatible PC card slot PC Card Standard-compliant CardBus Outside dimensions (mm) TYPE II (119.0 x 54.0 x 19.0mm) Power consumption 3.3VDC 450mA(Max.) *9 Usable condition 0 to 50°C, 20 to 90%RH (No condensation) Weight 40g Bundled connection cable STP-category, 5e straight cables 12m x 2 cables Weight 400g / cable *9 :  Power is supplied from the PC's main unit. StarFabric Compliant Expansion Adapter For Standard PCI or Low Profile PCI Slot << EAD(LPCI)SF >> Item EAD(LPCI)SF Compatible bus PCI Local Bus Specification Rev2.2 (+5V/+3.3V type) Outside dimensions (mm) 121.69(L) x 63.41(H) Power consumption 3.3VDC 450mA(Max.) *10 (JP1 pins 1 and 2 connected) 5VDC 350mA(Max.) *10 (JP1 pins 2 and 3 connected) Usable condition 0 to 50°C, 10 to 90%RH (No condensation) Weight 50g Bundled connection cable STP-category, 5e straight cables 12m x 2 cables Weight 400g / cable *10 :  Power is supplied from the PC's main unit.

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U.S.A. (North & South America Sales) CONTEC Microelectronics U.S.A. Inc. 2161 O'Toole Ave., Suite I, San Jose, CA, 95131 TEL: (1)-408-954-7700  FAX: (1)-408-954-7710 E-mail: sales@contecusa.com Web Site: www.contecusa.com PHONE (800)888-8884   Toll Free in the USA	EUROPE CONTEC Microelectronics EUROPE B.V. Binnenweg 4, 2132 CT Hoofddorp, The Netherlands TEL: (31)-23-567-3030  FAX: (31)-23-567-3035 E-mail: sales@conteceu.nl Web Site: www.contec-europe.com
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