Communications Platforms Trade Association and DegreeC Develop Thermal Test Tools for AdvancedTCA Interoperability Testing.

BEAVERTON, Ore. -- The Communications Platforms Trade Association (CP-TA) today announced that it has selected Degree Controls Inc.'s (DegreeC) Chassis Scan and Blade Profiler as the thermal test tools for its AdvancedTCA interoperability testing. CP-TA members worked with DegreeC to develop the test tools. In an AdvancedTCA platform where the shelf and blades may be from different vendors, interoperability is assured by strict adherence to design requirements. The thermal test tools will provide vendors with a systematic way to measure airflow impedance of a blade and airflow distribution across slots in an AdvancedTCA shelf.

"Thermal interoperability was one of the key issues that we set out to solve when CP-TA launched last year," said Shlomo Pri-Tal, CP-TA Chairman. "Both the Chassis Scan and Blade Profiler meet the requirements for thermal interoperability testing as outlined in our Interoperability Compliance Document (ICD) and Test Procedure Manual (TPM)."

The Chassis Scan system is designed to characterize airflow through an AdvancedTCA shelf, as specified by the ICD and TPM. The Blade Profiler system measures airflow impedance of an AdvancedTCA Front board, assuring that it complies with the flow impedance requirements of the ICD.

"Understanding airflow patterns is critical for the reliable operation of AdvancedTCA shelves and blades," said Eric Birch, Executive VP, DegreeC. "We have developed test tools that will enable vendors to understand the airflow pattern in their AdvancedTCA products and design interoperable products."

CP-TA released the ICD 1.0 and TPM 1.0 in February 2007. The ICD defines a set of requirements to build interoperable communications platforms. The TPM defines test procedures to test compliance to those requirements. This first release defines interoperability test requirements and procedures for PICMG's AdvancedTCA specification, aligned to the SCOPE Alliance AdvancedTCA profile. CP-TA members are currently working on defining thermal, manageability and data transport interoperability for PICMG's AMC specification.

CP-TA members will receive a discount on the Chassis Scan and the Blade Profiler. For information on joining the CP-TA and membership benefits, or to order test tools, visit www.cp-ta.org.

About the Communications Platforms Trade Association

The Communications Platforms Trade Association is a global organization of communications platform and building block providers whose mission is to accelerate the adoption of SIG-governed, open-specification-based communication platforms by certifying interoperable building blocks. For more information about CP-TA, visit www.cp-ta.org.

Degree Controls, Inc. - www.degreec.com.