Press Release
ExpressCard Standard Delivered to IndustryNew Form Factor Standard Supports PCI Express ArchitectureIntel Developer Forum, San Jose, CA - Sept 16, 2003 - The PCI-SIG®, the Special Interest Group responsible for PCI Express™, PCI™ Conventional and PCI-X® industry-standard I/O technologies, has reaffirmed its support for the ExpressCard* standard. This standard, delivered by the PCMCIA industry group, represents unparalleled collaboration between the PCI-SIG and the PCMCIA to deliver a single blueprint for the next generation client interconnect technology aimed at replacing the PC Card form factor. By using best-in-breed technology, ExpressCard is expected to expand its adoption across client platforms connecting internally to existing USB and PCI Express silicon. The PCI-SIG and PCMCIA industry groups will continue to work together to define a compliance and interoperability program that best meets the groups' collective members needs. "The release of the ExpressCard standard signals the start of related product development," said Tony Pierce, chairman of the PCI-SIG. "Our collaboration with the PCMCIA has resulted in a high quality specification that supports the PCI Express architecture, which is widely recognized as a breakthrough I/O technology." "With PCI Express technology entering client platforms in 2004 it is now possible for the industry to rapidly implement and adopt the ExpressCard technology," said Ramin Neshati, chairman of the Serial Technology Communications Workgroup for PCI-SIG. "We look forward to continue the collaboration between the PCI-SIG and PCMCIA to deliver world-class compliance programs that will fuel a seamless delivery of interoperable ExpressCard products in client platforms." "Working with the PCI-SIG on a joint ExpressCard compliance program will give consumers a tremendous advantage," said Brad Saunders, chairman of the PCMCIA. "By leveraging PCI Express silicon, we will be able to provide consumer-friendly features such as plug-n-play and a hot-swap capability for desktop and notebook users." The PCI-SIG will hold its first PCI Express compliance workshop in December 2003. It is expected that ExpressCard implementations will be available for testing in 2004 when the PCI-SIG will hold additional compliance workshops worldwide. Further information on PCI Express architecture can be found at http://www.pcisig.com. For more information on ExpressCard technology, visit http://www.expresscard.org. Benefits of PCI-SIG Membership As an additional and extremely valuable benefit of PCI-SIG membership, members are given the right to receive patent licenses from any other member of our organization with necessary claims of patent embodied within our specifications. These licenses may be limited in scope to an implementation of a particular specification, but must be granted to all members on reasonable and non-discriminatory terms. About the PCI-SIG The PCI-SIG is the Special Interest Group that owns and manages PCI specifications as open industry standards. The organization defines and implements new industry standard I/O (Input/Output) specifications as the industry's local I/O needs evolve. The PCI Special Interest Group was formed in 1992, and the organization became a nonprofit corporation, officially named "PCI-SIG" in the year 2000. Currently, more than 860 industry-leading companies are active PCI-SIG members worldwide. The PCI-SIG's current directors are employed by the following PCI-SIG member companies: AMD, Broadcom, HP, IBM, Intel, LSI Logic, Microsoft, Phoenix Technologies, and Texas Instruments. For more information about the PCI-SIG, and PCI-SIG membership benefits, contact the PCI-SIG by phone, at (503) 291-2569 (within the United States), or by fax at (503) 297-1090, or visit the PCI-SIG web site at http://www.pcisig.com. ### PCI-SIG, PCI Conventional, PCI-X and PCI Express are trademarks or registered trademarks of PCI-SIG. All trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. |
