WAVECREST Releases Timing Instrument Software Targeted to Datacom Market.

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 3, 1997--

"Engineers can test next generation network products in

minutes vs. weeks."

Dennis Leisz, CEO WAVECREST

WAVECREST today introduced its prescription for one of the biggest headaches nagging engineers who are building next generation data communications devices - jitter. WAVECREST unveiled its new Virtual Instruments/Datacom(TM) (VI/Datacom) software at the International Test Conference (ITC) in Washington, D.C.

The new VI/Datacom software adds jitter analysis tools specifically for the unique requirements of data communications devices including Fibre Channel and gigabit Ethernet networks. These tools, such as Deterministic Jitter (DJ) histogram and Bathtub curve, deliver graphical information aimed at analyzing the discrete types of jitter, such as data dependent jitter, random jitter and periodic jitter. For example, data dependent jitter, if unchecked, corrupts data being transmitted, resulting in lost information at the receiver end. With VI/Datacom software, engineers can more easily and quickly identify data- dependent jitter which is often masked with other kinds of jitter. In the past, design engineers were required to employ complex, time-consuming mathematical models to determine all of the jitter constituents. Because VI/Datacom operates in real time, it increases the engineer's productivity by eliminating the need for a separate process step - it saves time.

"It's fear of the unknown that keeps engineers working long hours to ensure that they don't have problems," said WAVECREST CEO Dennis Leisz. "VI/Datacom gives both design engineers and test engineers the precision tools they need to keep pace with the demands of their design cycles, which have left them with little or no time to properly test their designs and prototypes."

"We've already had tremendous success with our VI software for PLL devices," said Leisz. "Users found that VI has the effect of lifting a fog. It accomplishes this by providing visual, easy-to-use tools that graphically display jitter that previously was invisible using existing testing equipment."

WAVECREST's Virtual Instrument software provides an intuitive, graphical interface to WAVECREST's Digital Time System (DTS) hardware in a Microsoft(TM) Windows 3.1, Windows 95(R), Windows NT(R) or X Windows(TM) format. The software includes an integrated suite of easy-to-use tools for data acquisition and rapid graphical analysis of measurements captured by the DTS hardware. "By combining the DTS hardware and VI software, WAVECREST makes it much easier and faster for engineers to perform a broad spectrum of tests and analyze the data," said Leisz. The result is higher chip design productivity because engineers can complete thorough analysis in less time than traditional tools allow. Engineers using the products also can achieve greater testing accuracy because WAVECREST's DTS captures more data than was previously possible.

Key Datacom Features

VI/Datacom is a superset of the VI software that adds key features for data communications environments. Additional functionality will be included with future version releases. The DJ histogram feature can be used to plot data dependent jitter and the bathtub curve, using the three values of RJ, PJ and DDJ, can be used to determine the extrapolated-bit-error rate.

Pricing and Availability

WAVECREST VI/Datacom software is available now and is priced at $9,350.

Extending the Life of Existing Automated Test Equipment

The WAVECREST DTS system, with VI software, can be incorporated with new and mature ATE equipment. By adding the WAVECREST DTS, ATE users can extend the life of their aging systems with a low-cost solution. Leisz said, "By providing the option to retrofit older ATE systems with WAVECREST DTS hardware and software, we are giving ATE customers the option to save millions of dollars in new capital expenditures and ATE suppliers can extend the life-cycle of their products."

Retrofitting mature systems provides significant cost/performance benefits, primarily by increasing confidence factors in test results. The extended systems can be used with:

-- Clock drivers

-- Hi-frequency synthesizers

-- Video graphics/imaging

-- Datacom (Fibre Channel, Fast Ethernet, ATM & Sonet)

-- Rambus

-- Hi-performance read channel

-- Hi-speed interface devices

-- All PLL-based devices

WAVECREST provides innovative analytical test instruments and services for use in development and production of leading-edge products and technologies where precise time measurement is required. Its customers include the world's major semiconductor manufacturers, semiconductor device users, test equipment suppliers and government laboratories. For more information, visit WAVECREST's Web site at www.wavecrestcorp.com.

CONTACT: WAVECREST

Fred Snyder

800-733-7128

612-831-0030

[e-mail]

or

Padilla Speer Beardsley Inc.

Bob Brin/Brad Larson

612-871-8877

[e-mail]/[e-mail]