Echelon Open Control Networks Voted Into Draft IEEE Standard for Train Control

Business Wire, Jan 15, 1999

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 14, 1999--Echelon Corporation (Nasdaq:ELON) today announced that its LONWORKS(R) system -- an open, interoperable platform for control applications -- has been voted into the draft IEEE P1473 standard for train communications.

This action is further evidence of Echelon's acceptance as a key supplier of control systems for the rail and light rail industries. Echelon is already the Association of American Railroad's (AAR) control standard for electropneumatic braking of freight trains, and is also the rail vehicle standard for MTA New York City Transit -- the longest subway system in the world.

The IEEE established a passenger train communication working group in 1996 with the goal of allowing intracar and intercar communications between products from different manufacturers. Establishing a common communication protocol would allow rail car constructors to competitively select from a broad range of suppliers, and would simplify the task of both constructing and maintaining the rail cars.

According to a study done for the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences, which conducted research to support the standards process for rail transit vehicles, IEEE P1473 will result in less car wiring, lower weight, and improved systems integration, reliability, and maintainability. Savings are estimated to top $56 million a year.

"Echelon has long affirmed the cost, reliability, and maintenance benefits of using our open, interoperable control systems," says Michael R. Tennefoss, Echelon's Director of Product Marketing.

"Inclusion of the LONWORKS system into IEEE P1473 validates these benefits and will well serve rail operators, constructors, and equipment suppliers alike." After two years of work, the IEEE P1473 ballot recently passed with no negative votes, and is on its way to becoming an industry standard after receiving approval of the IEEE Standard Board.

The LONWORKS system is used extensively in railroad and rail transit projects throughout the world. Recent applications include projects at the New Jersey Transit Authority, Bay Area Rapid Transit District, San Francisco Municipal Railway, Deutsche Bundesbahn (Germany), and the RATP Meteor line (France).

To facilitate guidelines for the use of LONWORKS systems in the transportation industry, the LONMARK(R) Interoperability Association recently formed a Transportation Task group. Information on the Task group can be found in the Applications area of the LONMARK website at www.LONMARK.org.

About Echelon Corp.

Echelon Corporation (Nasdaq:ELON) is the developer of LONWORKS networks, recognized internationally as a standard for interoperable control networks. With thousands of application developers and millions of devices installed worldwide, LONWORKS is a leading open, networked control solution for building and home automation, industrial, transportation, and public utility applications.

Echelon offers a full range of off-the-shelf hardware and software products to support the development, installation and management of intelligent, open and interoperable control networks.

Echelon is based in Palo Alto, with international offices in China, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. News and information are available at http://www.echelon.com.

About The LONMARK Interoperability Association

Since its inception in May 1994, the LONMARK Interoperability Association has become a major driving force in the establishment of interoperable standards for building, industrial and residential/utility automation.

LONMARK membership is open to any manufacturer, end user, and system integrator committed to the development and use of open, interoperable products using multivendor LONWORKS control networks.

Further information on the LONMARK Interoperability Association and its members can be found on the LONMARK Association website at http://www.LONMARK.org.

Note to Editors: Echelon, the Echelon logo, LONWORKS, and LONMARK are registered trademarks of Echelon Corporation registered in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.

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