Bustronic Releases cPCI Test Accessory; cPCI Load Board is a Breakthrough System Characterization Aid.

FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 9, 1998--High-performance backplane innovator Bustronic Corporation today introduced the newest member of its rapidly expanding family of compact personal computer interface (cPCI) accessories, the 6U Power cPCI Load Board. Developed to enhance testing of cPCI systems, the fastest growing computer market segment, the Load Board aids the system designer in assuring adequate chassis cooling and verifying that the cPCI chassis is capable of meeting the power requirements of the latest PICMG specification (2.0 R2.1), Sept. 2, 1997.

Predominantly used by chassis manufacturers and system developers, the Load Board can save significant time and expense in assuring a system's operating specifications. The Load Board functions to test a system's cooling capabilities by first applying the load to the power supply for verification and finally creating the necessary heat to confirm chassis cooling. By locating effective cooling regions of the chassis, a system operator can verify where to optimally place boards to prevent overheating. Increasing productivity, the Load Board quickly and accurately assists in characterizing systems at low cost.

Other key performance characteristics of the Load Board include visual "Go - NO GO" indicators for each voltage displaying that the voltage is within +/- 5 percent of nominal and primary voltage test points plus V I/O, PRST#, FAL# and gnd test points. In addition, the Load Board contains power supply loading which utilizes binary switches to impose a load of from 0 to 7 ohms of the primary load. This feature is also used for thermal characterization.

"Bustronic anticipates and responds to evolving technologies and market dynamics, providing customers with the latest accessories to stay one step ahead of the burgeoning Compact PCI sector," said Fred Hirsch, general manager of Bustronic. "The Load Board is a cost-effective safeguard to ensure that a system meets both power and thermal specifications, in return protecting expensive boards from damage."

About Bustronic:

Founded in 1989, Bustronic Corporation specializes in the design and manufacture of high-performance backplanes in its Fremont, Calif. facility. Bustronic has a complete line of industry-standard backplanes, including VME64x, VMEbus, Compact PCI, ISA + PCIbus, and VXIbus. The company's application engineers also develop custom backplane designs from initial concept to finished product. Bustronic is an ELMA Electronic company. ELMA, based in Wetzikon, Switzerland and Fremont, California, is a global leader in electronic enclosures and components with facilities or representation in over 22 countries and is publicly traded on the Swiss Stock Exchange. Bustronic is an executive member of PICMG(TM) and can be found on the World Wide Web at: www.bustronic.com.