LynuxWorks' Embedded Operating Systems and SoftConnex' USBLink Host Solution Enable Development of Bandwidth-Intensive Embedded Applications

Business Wire, August 27, 2001

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif. & FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 27, 2001

SoftConnex Joins LynuxWorks' SynergyWorks Alliance Program and

Provides Support for USB 2.0 and PCI and Non-PCI Host Controllers

LynuxWorks Inc, and SoftConnex Technologies today announced that SoftConnex has joined the LynuxWorks' SynergyWorks Alliance Program and will offer USBLink ports to LynuxWorks' customers. LynxOS(R) and BlueCat(R) Linux users can now develop products with Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 host controllers, enabling bandwidth-intensive applications such as video and mass storage. USB 2.0 is up to 40 times faster than USB 1.1 with a maximum throughput of 480 Mbps.

"The USBLink product is an excellent solution for developing embedded applications that demand performance and bandwidth," said Greg Rose, director of product management for LynuxWorks. "We are excited to be working with SoftConnex because they are solely focused on USB and will provide the level of expertise and support that our customers need when developing embedded applications."

"We are very pleased that through the SynergyWorks Alliance Program LynuxWorks is recommending USBLink to its LynxOS and BlueCat customers," said Jim Gilbert, vice president of marketing and business development at SoftConnex. "By combining our USB connectivity expertise with LynuxWorks real time experience, we will provide original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) worldwide with a complete communication solution for embedded applications."

USBLink Host for LynxOS and BlueCat Linux will offer the most complete library of class modules available for the embedded market. SoftConnex has developed modules for audio and mass storage devices, printers, digital still cameras, MP3 players, video cameras and host-to-host cables, among others. The integrated solutions enable developers to use an embedded USB core, commonly found in System On Chips (SoCs), discreet Open Host Controller Interface (OHCI), Universal Host Controller Interface (UHCI) or Enhanced Host Controller Interface (EHCI) host controllers or a range of non-Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) based controllers with proprietary interfaces from companies such as OPTi, Philips Semiconductors, ScanLogic/Cypress, and TransDimension.

"The relationship between SoftConnex and LynuxWorks illustrates the increasing importance of USB 2.0 technology for the embedded market," said Jason Ziller, chairman of USB Implementers Forum and Intel technology initiatives manager. "The availability of USBLink for LynxOS and BlueCat Linux demonstrates that these companies are interested in bringing high bandwidth capabilities to a wide variety of embedded products. This will in turn help pave the way for the integration of USB 2.0 into those products in the coming months."

About LynuxWorks' LynxOS and BlueCat

LynuxWorks' LynxOS is a hard real time operating system that combines performance, reliability, and scalability together with patented technology for real-time event handling. LynxOS meets the highest reliability and deterministic response standards and is used in a variety of products, from communications infrastructure equipment to mission-critical flight control systems.

LynuxWorks' BlueCat is an open-source Linux, and is available as a complete solution for developers. In addition to a stable commercial version of the operating system, LynuxWorks provides a complete software development environment and tools for debugging and tuning applications. BlueCat is backed by a variety of optional support packages offering software engineering, technical support, consulting and professional services from LynuxWorks.

About SoftConnex's USBLink Host

SoftConnex's USBLink supports USB 1.1 and 2.0 host controllers. All USB protocols are supported, as are complex USB devices that contain multiple configurations/interfaces and alternate settings. USBLink is written entirely in ANSI C, runs in 16 and 32-bit environments and includes software and hardware abstraction layers to simplify porting efforts. USBLink starts at $25,000 for source code and limited run-time quantities.

About SoftConnex

SoftConnex Technologies, Inc. is a privately held company based in Fremont, Calif., that delivers the most complete USB host solution for the embedded market. The company's flagship product, USBLink Host, provides the broadest platform support and most comprehensive collection of class drivers currently available, as evidenced by its support for MP3 players, digital still and video cameras, printers, mass storage devices, audio and human interface devices (HID) devices and ACM/ECM communication devices. For more information about SoftConnex and the entire USBLink product suite, please visit www.softconnex.com.

About LynuxWorks

LynuxWorks is a world leader in the embedded software market, providing operating systems, software development products and consulting services for the world's most successful communications, aerospace/defense, and consumer products companies. Established in 1988, the company is a founding member of the real time operating systems (RTOS) industry, and a leading participant in the Embedded Linux Consortium (ELC). LynuxWorks' headquarters are located in San Jose, California. LynuxWorks products include the open-source BlueCat Linux and the scalable, Linux-compatible LynxOS real time operating system. World class companies use LynuxWorks' products, including: 3Com, Alcatel, Boeing, Ericsson, Hewlett Packard, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Lockheed Martin, Lucent Technologies, Marconi, Mitsubishi, Motorola, NEC USA, Nortel Networks, Raytheon, TRW and Xerox. For more information, please visit: www.lynuxworks.com.