____________________________________________________________________________ Company Information Parallel Technologies, Inc. 10603 170th Ct NE Experts in parallel port Redmond, WA 98052 - external devices Lab 206-869-1136 - printers Fax 206-869-1133 - connectivity Compuserve 76640,203 - high-performance techniques Internet 76640.203@COMPUSERVE.COM _____________________________________________________________________________ We at Parallel Technologies' have been creating innovative parallel port devices and software since 1989. Here are a few highlights: Firsts, Bests, and Mosts ------------------------ o 1st ... parallel port network adapter o 1st ... enhanced, bus-speed, parallel port o 1st ... parallel port external SCSI disk o 1st ... passthrough printing capability o 1st ... automatic self-configuring drivers o 1st ... universal support for all types of parallel ports o 1st ... network adapters with multiple media support o 1st ... Windows 3.1 multimedia driver for parallel adapter o 1st ... Multiple Parallel Device API for shared devices o 1st ... intelligent parasitic power for self-powered devices o 1st ... demonstration of daisychained parallel peripherals o 1st ... demonstration of multiplexed parallel peripherals o 1st ... Parallel Port Expansion System (now IEEE Multiport) o 1st ... Parallel Port Developer's Kits o 1st ... general purpose parallel port networking (DirectNet) o 1st ... Win 95 parallel port networking (DirectNet for Win95) o PC MAG Editor's Choice for Ethernet parallel port NIC o most total network adapters -- 7 and counting... o most total parallel port peripherals -- 25 and counting... Partial List of Parallel Technologies' Developments --------------------------------------------------- o parallel port Arcnet adapter o parallel port Ethernet Adapter (two versions) o parallel port Token Ring Adapter (two versions) o parallel port portable SCSI disk drive o parallel port portable IDE disk drive o parallel port MIDI interface for Windows o parallel port Zero-Slot mouse adapter o parallel port IR Wireless Adapter o parallel port DSP signal processing interface o parallel port Multiport daisychaining system o parallel port Multiport 4-way parallel device multiplexor o DirectNet ODI driver for parallel port networking o DirectNet VCOMM driver for parallel port networking o DirectNet 4BIT cables for parallel port networking o DirectNet ECP cables for parallel port networking o DirectNet Universal cables for parallel port networking o DirectNet 4BIT/ECP and UCM cable interface specification licensed to Microsoft for joint Microsoft/PTI publication o Parallel Port Developer's Kit (Level 1) o Parallel Port Developer's Kit (Level 2) o Super IEEE 1284 Printing System Developer's Kit o DirectNet Parallel Port Networking Manufacturing License Kit o DirectNet Parallel Port Networking Software License Kit Many of these products, or their hardware and software components, are available for OEM licensing. We have in-depth experience with the wonderful and sometimes bizarre world of the PC parallel port and have served on both the EPP and IEEE 1284 standards committees. Having created more than TWO DOZEN parallel port devices with their associated drivers and software utilities, we are the most experienced source for off-the- shelf technology, developer tools, and contract services. Here are a few of our current and forthcoming products that you may find interesting. Parallel Port Developer's Kits ------------------------------ Parallel Technologies offers parallel port Developer's Kits which contain those hardware and software components necessary to build very high-speed, consumer-quality external devices. The Developer Kit technology has been used in over 25 parallel port devices including network adapters, parallel port SCSI and IDE disks, parallel port wireless IR adapters, parallel port MIDI and mouse interfaces, parallel to serial interfaces, and so forth. The software includes support for all types of ports, IO code that is extremely resistant to port idiosyncrasies, and full auto- detection of all port hardware features. The code is very well documented. A selection of sample drivers for parallel port devices is also available. Level One Developer's Kit ------------------------- Hardware schematics, timing diagrams, access methods and all other hardware information required to implement basic peripheral devices that are compatible with 4BIT, 8BIT, semi-8BIT,and EPP parallel ports The software section includes sample source code for register and block data access to the sample device. Level Two Developer's Kit ------------------------- Includes the Level One Kit PLUS additional very high speed IO techniques, passthrough port design techniques daisychain and multiplexor Multiporting design additional ECP hardware design techniques additional source code for ECP I/O techniques full source code for Parallel autodetect utility Also includes full EPP and IEEE 1284 specifications. Super IEEE 1284 Developer's Kit ------------------------------- Prototyping board, printer side interface FPGA equations, assembler source for 1284 negotiation, Windows 3.1 driver source. Allows the rapid development of IEEE 1284 printers. Also Super 1284 goes BEYOND the IEEE 1284 spec to allow very high-speed bi-directional I/O on 4BIT, semi-8BIT, and 8BIT ports. This means that Super 1284 printers can operate bi-directionally at very high speeds (upwards of 300Kbyte/sec) even on the installed base of "old-fashioned" standard parallel ports. Super 1284 maintains complete compatibility with IEEE 1284 ports and printers. It is a compatible enhancement that allows printer vendors to support high-speed operation without requiring EPP and ECP ports. DirectNet -- The Parallel Port Networking System ------------------------------------------------ The DirectNet parallel port networking system has been incorporated into Windows 95 and may be licensed for inclusion in other operating environments. The DirectNet system is a family of completely external connection devices and network driver software that allows PC-to-PC plug-and-play cable connections to be used as an alternative to more expensive LAN hardware. The DirectNet hardware technology includes 3 point-to- point cables, and multiport hub, and a distributed multdrop system which uses RJ-11 standard phone wiring. DirectNet supports speeds of 40 - 500+ KBytes/sec depending on the parallel ports involved and various other factors. The system is completely self-adaptive. Because DirectNet provides a suite of standard network drivers, it may be used with many existing networking and connectivity systems such as Windows 95, Windows for Workgroups, Netware Lite and Personal Netware, etc. DirectNet connections have been tested with more than a dozen commonly available networking and connectivity software packages. DirectNet is now in a BETA RELEASE status and Parallel Technologies is providing manufacturing and software licenses vendors who wish to include DirectNet products or capability in their product lines. Parallel -- the Parallel Port Information Utility ------------------------------------------------- A handy utility which examines your system's parallel ports and reports the Port Type, IO address, IRQ level, BIOS name, and an assortment of informative notes and warnings in a compact and easy to read display. The output may be redirected to a file for tech support purposes. Parallel uses very sophisticated techniques for port and IRQ detection and is aware of a broad range of quirky port features. Parallel is the definitive parallel Tech Support tool. Parallel is Freeware, subject to a restricted license agreement. It may be used free of charge for any personal, non-commercial purpose. Parallel may not be sold for profit, nor may it be distributed with any other product sold for profit. Vendors should contact us regarding commercial licenses. OEM Products ------------ Most of our products are available for OEM licensing, including network adapters, EPP-capable hard disks, parallel-SCSI interface, parallel MIDI adapter, and the MultiPort parallel port expansion system. Also available are numerous off-the-shelf hardware and software components including: device schematics, FPGA equations, DOS and Windows driver source code, etc. Development Services -------------------- We specialize in contract development of parallel port peripherals and associated software including DOS and Windows device drivers. Our broad and deep experience with parallel port devices and our commitment to specialization allows us to design, implement, test, and support them very efficiently. You might be interested in our 45/90 development offer. We propose to convert almost any ISA peripheral into a parallel port device in only 45 days to prototype, 90 days to production. We also offer more limited development support, such as developing additional device drivers or enhancements for existing peripherals. We are quite experienced with EPP and ECP ports and are ready to upgrade your existing parallel port devices for peak performance. Consulting and Training ----------------------- In support of in-house development, you will find our consulting and training services invaluable in avoiding the pitfalls of parallel port development - and achieve the highest possible product performance and quality. We conduct in-house trainings and design consultations in hardware, software, and product design / management. You may find these trainings useful in bringing your development and management team up to speed on parallel port issues.