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Coming
to a Backplane Near You: Low Profile PCI and Universal Bus
 Low
Profile PCI
Many of today's new computers from the industry leaders, like the Dell
Dimension 4500S pictured here, are designed to provide maximum performance
in minimum space. To achieve that, more and more systems have adopted
the PCISIG Low Profile Specification as the form factor for I/O expansion.
There are two card lengths for low profile PCI, MD1 and MD2. MD1 is
the smallest of the two, with cards defined to be a maximum of 4.721"
(L) x 2.536" (H), and therefore will work in any PCI bus expansion
slot if equipped with the correct connector bracket (Sealevel supplies
both brackets with all low profile cards).
 Universal
Bus
The PCI specification defines two types of connectors that may be implemented
at the system board level: One for systems that implement 5 Volt signaling
levels, and one for systems that implement 3.3 Volt signaling levels.
Three types of add-in
boards may be implemented: "5 Volt add-in boards" include
a key notch in pin positions 50 and 51 to allow them to be plugged only
into 5 Volt system connectors. "3.3 Volt add-in boards" include
a key notch in pin positions 12 and 13 to allow them to be plugged only
into 3.3 Volt system connectors. "Universal add-in boards"
include both key notches to allow them to be plugged into either 5V
or 3.3V system connectors. Universal boards must be able to adapt to
operation at either signaling level.
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Low
Profile PCI Serial Adapters
 Sealevel
announces our new family of Low Profile PCI serial cards designed to
comply with the MD1 Low Profile specification and offering Universal
Bus (3.3V and 5V) compatibility. Many of today's new computer systems
are utilizing the MD1 form factor, the smallest PCI format defined by
the PCISIG, for expansion cards. Sealevel's Low Profile Family is a
perfect fit for these new devices and offers backward compatibility
with older systems since each board ships with both a low profile and
a standard PCI connector bracket. Don't take a chance on your I/O card
not fitting -- Go Low Profile.
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SeaLINK
I/O Family Offers OPC Compatibility
 Sealevel
Systems, Inc., a member of the OPC Foundation, announces a new OPC Server
platform: The SeaLINK-I/O family. SeaLINK-I/O products connect to any
USB signal to provide interface to a variety of digital signals. Based
upon Microsoft's OLE/COM technology, the OPC standard makes possible
interoperability between automation and control applications, field
systems I/O devices and business/office applications. With minimal configuration
required, SeaLINK-I/O can interface easily to any OPC-enabled client
including HMI, SCADA, Control and custom applications.
The user can choose
from 6 different SeaLINK-I/O modules offering a selection of digital
I/O, optically isolated inputs, and Form C relay outputs, affording
easy connection to solid state relay racks, switches, sensors and other
common devices. Call today for more information.
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Sealevel
Application Notebook
PCMCIA
Serial Card Connects Pocket PC to the Real World
Recently, a Sealevel
client working for one of the world's largest communications suppliers
thought of a unique solution for remote testing of their switching equipment.
Instead of lugging a laptop to perform diagnostic testing, a Pocket
PC device equipped with the test software would be carried by the technician.
The customer selected the Compaq iPAQ as the best tool for the job.
However, a problem arose immediately: The test process is performed
over a serial link and the iPAQ does not have a native serial port.
To solve the problem the user purchased a Sealevel PC-SIO PCMCIA to
Serial card for each iPAQ. The PC-SIO installed quickly in the available
PCMCIA slot and used the standard Windows CE communication driver to
enable the RS-232 communication to the remote equipment.
Sealevel manufactures
one and two port PCMCIA to RS-232 cards and also provides a solution
for RS-422/485 communication. If you require a communication solution
for your Pocket PC or other Windows CE device, Sealevel can help.
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 This
Month's Featured Third Party Software is:
Agilent test and
measurement software, including VEE Lab, is designed for the engineer
who needs to connect test equipment to a PC. Leveraging the power of
Microsoft® Visual Studio .NET, Agilent's connectivity products make
connecting instruments and creating test programs in a non-proprietary
environment much easier for you. Combined with Sealevel's serial I/O
products, this is a great way to accommodate your test and measurement
requirements.
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