Press information To download a text file of this release, a 250 pixel wide low-res image for web use or a 300dpi print quality image, go to www.parkfield.co.uk/apwcbd PXI backplane capability extended Released 15 August 2003 APW Electronics has flattened the PXI development curve by developing an extensive library of modular 3U and 6U standard PXI backplane designs to enable customers to specify their required combination of slot widths and power options. The PXI backplanes support 33MHz and 66MHz clock speeds and 32Bit and 64Bit operation in both 3.3V and 5V signalling environments. 33MHz systems can be up to 8 slots wide, 66MHz systems are constrained to 5 slots by the specification. Systems wider than 8 slots can be implemented in a monolithic backplane using addressable rear pallet bridges to connect the individual bus segments. The bridge itself spans five slot widths; it can be fitted to the rear of any suitable slots on the two segments and multiple bridges can be used in a single backplane if required. In addition to the CompactPCI signals on P1/J1 and the 64-bit signals duplicated on P2/J2, the backplanes distributes the PXI-specific signals, such as the trigger bus, the reference clock, the user-defined local buses, and the star trigger located on P2/J2. The 10MHz reference clock achieves less than 1ns skew required in the specification. Eight bus lines are allocated for inter-module synchronization and communication; these lines can also be used for the distribution of variable frequency clock transmissions, allowing multiple modules to share a timebase that is not a derivative of the 10MHz PXI clock. The modular design approach mirrors the concept of PXI itself, enabling system integrators to benefit from a large library of standard designs from which to construct their robust configurable PXI-based instruments. In addition to the backplane itself, APW also manufacture the subracks conforming to IEEE1101.10 and IEEE1101.11 required to mount the backplane and house the plug-in modules and power converters. All individual elements of the subsystem can be easily configured to the specific requirements of the application. *** Ends: body copy 315 words *** Notes to Editors. For further information: Tim Froome APW Electron Way Chandlers Ford Hants SO53 4ZR tel: + 44 (0)23 8026 6300 fax:+ 44 (0)23 8026 5126 tim.froome@apw.com www.apw.com Agency contact: Nigel May Parkfield Communications Limited Parkfield House Damerham Hants SP6 3HQ tel: + 44 (0)1725 518321 fax: + 44 (0)1725 518378 nigel.may@parkfield.co.uk www.parkfield.co.uk APW is a technically enabled manufacturing services ("TEMS") company that designs and manufactures large, complex infrastructure products for OEMs in the communications, computing and Internet markets. APW has particular skills in the areas of manufacturing enclosures, thermal management, power supplies and backplanes; as well as core competencies in product and system design, integration and supply chain management. APW operates in more than 14 locations throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.