PLX Technology Demonstrates Embedded Systems Applications of PCI Express at ESC; ExpressLane Switches, Bridges Provide High-Speed Interconnect to New Embedded Systems, Simple Migration for Existing Designs.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- PLX Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq:PLXT), the leading supplier of PCI Express(TM) (PCIe), USB and other standard I/O interconnect silicon, is demonstrating at the Embedded Systems Conference (ESC) this week how its PCIe and USB technology interoperates in an array of embedded systems and other applications. The demonstrations feature PLX(R) ExpressLane(TM) switches and bridges, along with PLX USB controllers, and enable common computing, video and communications platforms. E[acute accent]The ExpressLane family features the broadest array of PCIe switches and bridges on the market, while PLX's USB 2.0 controllers provide the high-speed interconnect with a variety of consumer-oriented applications. In the ESC demonstration, ExpressLane switching devices enable the transfer of video data between multiple sources and targets simultaneously; a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 controller allows an additional display to be added to the system, illustrating how the two technologies complement one another.

E[acute accent]Embedded Systems Migration Potential

E[acute accent]The ESC demonstrations highlight the migration potential the ExpressLane family can provide to embedded systems. All ExpressLane switches and bridges are designed not just to provide system makers with PCIe interconnect solutions for new products, but also to upgrade existing embedded designs (using conventional PCI) quickly and economically to the powerful PCIe interconnect.

E[acute accent]PCIe, USB Versatility Showcased

E[acute accent]PLX PCIe and USB technologies are being demonstrated in a system that blends the PEX 8111 PCIe bridge and PEX 8518 PCIe switch, along with the PLX NET2280 USB controller -- all combined to enable four simultaneous video feeds in an integrated system. This demonstration, which also includes a video card using the PLX FastLane(TM) PCI 6152 PCI-to-PCI bridge, features the switch, bridge and controller in a PCIe-equipped system managing:

E[acute accent]--video content from two separate DVD sources over PEX 8111- and PEX 8518-based boards to three monitors;

E[acute accent]--a fourth monitor, via the NET2280 controller, to the overall system.

E[acute accent]A second demonstration highlights the throughput of PLX's recently introduced PEX 8311 local-bus-to-PCIe bridge. Connected to the PCIe bus on an Intel motherboard, the PEX 8311 manages the data flow to and from the local bus at data rates up to 166MB/sec, with sustained DMA transfers of up to 177MB/sec. E[acute accent]The PEX 8111 is the smallest and lowest-power PCIe bridge available, and capable of both forward and reverse bridging allowing board and system designers to easily develop new products or migrate legacy PCI designs to the PCIe architecture. The 16-lane PEX 8518 switch delivers unprecedented PCIe switching flexibility by providing up to five completely configurable ports, on-chip non-transparent bridging for multiprocessor designs, two virtual channels, packet cut-through capability, low latency of 150ns, and both peer-to-peer and fan-out capability. The newest member of the ExpressLane family, the PEX 8311 is the industry's only bridging device dedicated to upgrading generic local bus-interface designs to PCIe. E[acute accent]Like the ExpressLane line, PLX's USB controllers enable a variety of applications, providing fast I/O connection between computers and consumer-oriented peripherals. The NET2280 in the dual-stream video-capture demonstration at IDF is a high-speed USB 2.0 programmable peripheral controller optimized for data transfer between the PCI and USB interconnects.

E[acute accent]About PLX Technology

E[acute accent]PLX Technology, Inc. (www.plxtech.com), based in Sunnyvale, Calif., USA, is a leading supplier of PCI Express, USB and other standard I/O interconnect silicon to the communications, server, storage, embedded-control, and consumer industries. All PLX I/O interconnect products are available in lead-free packaging. The PLX solution provides a competitive edge to our customers through an integrated combination of high-performance silicon, hardware and software design tools, and partnerships.

E[acute accent]PLX, ExpressLane, FastLane and the PLX Technology logo are registered trademarks of PLX Technology, Inc., which may be registered in some jurisdictions. All other product names that appear in this material are for identification purposes only and are acknowledged to be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.