PCI-SIG Introduces "PCI Express™" (Formerly 3GIO) High-Speed Serial Interconnect Specification

Printer-friendly versionPDF version

Arapahoe Work Group Completes Draft 1.0 Specification, Now Under Review by PCI-SIG Board of Directors

WinHEC, Seattle, Wash., April 17, 2002 - The PCI-SIG and the Arapahoe Work Group, consisting of promoter companies Compaq, Dell, Hewlett-Packard Company, IBM, Intel and Microsoft, today announced that the code-named 3GIO draft 1.0 specification has been successfully completed and is being transferred on schedule to the PCI-SIG, where it will be renamed "PCI Express™".

The delivery of the open, high-performance serial I/O specification is the result of a highly successful working relationship combining the technical expertise of the Arapahoe Work Group with the proven ability of the PCI-SIG to promote open-standard architectures across multiple industry segments. The name "PCI Express" reflects the high-speed, point-to-point qualities of the new local bus architecture, and emphasizes that software compatibility is maintained between PCI and PCI Express.

As planned, the PCI Express draft specification is currently under review by the PCI-SIG Board of Directors. Upon approval by the board, the specification will be sent to the PCI-SIG membership for a 60-day review, with final PCI Express 1.0 specification public release anticipated in the second quarter of 2002.

"Thanks to the thorough efforts of the Arapahoe Work Group, this new serial interconnect draft specification, formerly code-named '3GIO,' is being delivered to the PCI-SIG in a comprehensive and mature form, with scalable performance that fully lives up to its new name, 'PCI Express' ," said Roger Tipley, president and chairman of the PCI-SIG. "The PCI-SIG's PCI Express Work Group will begin working immediately to fine-tune and rapidly prepare to release the draft PCI Express 1.0 specification for PCI-SIG member review."

During the past decade, the PCI local bus has been a hugely successful, general purpose I/O interconnect standard. PCI Express takes PCI to the next level, with a fast serial architecture that overcomes the limits inherent in parallel bus implementations. This gives PCI Express the bandwidth and scalability to accommodate CPU speeds in excess of 10 GHz, faster memory speeds, higher-speed graphics, 1 Gigabit and 10 Gigabit LAN, 1394b, InfiniBand® fabrics and other technology advances.

"The PCI-SIG's diverse membership has a proven track record of successfully promoting, maintaining and enhancing interconnect standards across the industry," said Bob Gregory, Arapahoe Work Group Spokesperson. "Today's transfer of the draft specification to the PCI-SIG Board of Directors marks a major milestone for the PCI Express architecture. PCI Express will provide the required performance and scalability for the computing and communications segments."

About PCI Express

PCI Express is a new serial I/O technology that is compatible with the current PCI software environment and which defines a packetized protocol and a load/store architecture. Previously code-named Third Generation I/O (3GIO), its layered architecture enables attachment to copper, optical, or emerging physical signaling media. PCI Express uses an embedded clocking scheme to enable better frequency scaling and provides many advanced features as well as innovative form factors. It can be used for chip-to-chip and add-in card applications to provide connectivity for adapter cards, as a graphics I/O attach point for increased graphics bandwidth, and as an attach point to other interconnects like 1394b, USB 2.0, InfiniBand Architecture and Ethernet.

Join the PCI-SIG for Early Access to PCI Express

Membership in the PCI-SIG enables early access to the new PCI Express specification, as well as opportunities to provide feedback on the specification before its final approval. For more information, visit the PCI-SIG Web site at www.pcisig.com. Another source for detailed information and practical implementations of PCI Express is the upcoming 2002 PCI-SIG Developers Conference, the premier technology-training event for systems architects, designers, engineers and engineering managers. The conference will be held June 3-4 at the San Jose Convention Center. Register online at

www.pcisig.com/events/devcon

.

About the PCI-SIG

The PCI-SIG is the industry organization that owns and manages the PCI Local Bus specification as an open industry standard. 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 740 industry-leading companies are active PCI-SIG members. The PCI-SIG's current directors are employed by the following PCI-SIG member companies: AMD, Compaq, HP, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Phoenix Technologies, ServerWorks and TI. For more information about the PCI-SIG, PCI-SIG membership benefits or the June 3-4 PCI-SIG Developer's Conference, contact the PCI-SIG by phone, at (800) 433-5177 (within the United States), or by fax at (503) 297-1090, or visit the PCI-SIG web site at:

www.pcisig.com

.

Third-generation I/O Promoter Company Information

The Arapahoe Work Group, consisting of promoter companies Compaq, Dell, HP, IBM, Intel and Microsoft, along with 62 key developer companies, developed the draft 1.0 3GIO specification and chose the PCI-SIG as the preferred industry body to promote and support PCI Express as an extension of PCI, thereby extending the viability of the PCI standard well into the future.

About Compaq

Founded in 1982, Compaq Computer Corporation is a leading global provider of information technology products, services and solutions for enterprise customers. Compaq designs, develops, manufactures and markets information technology equipment, software, services and solutions, including industry-leading enterprise storage and computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, communication products, personal desktop and notebook computers, and personal entertainment and Internet access devices that are sold in more than 200 countries directly and through a network of authorized Compaq marketing partners. Information on Compaq and its products and services is available at

www.compaq.com

.

About Dell

Dell Computer Corporation (Nasdaq: DELL), the world's most preferred computer systems company, is a premier provider of products and services required for customers worldwide to build their information-technology and Internet infrastructures. The company's revenue for the past four quarters totaled $31.2 billion. Dell, through its direct business model, designs, manufactures and customizes products and services to customer requirements, and offers an extensive selection of software and peripherals. Information on Dell and its products can be obtained at

www.dell.com

.

About HP

Hewlett-Packard Company -- a leading global provider of computing and imaging solutions and services -- is focused on making technology and its benefits accessible to all. HP had total revenue of $45.2 billion in its 2001 fiscal year. Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at

www.hp.com

.

About IBM

IBM is the world's largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. In the 20 years since announcing the first PC in August 1981, IBM has actively participated in the continued development and evolution of PC architecture and standards. For more information on IBM, please visit

www.ibm.com

.

About Intel

Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at

www.intel.com/pressroom

.

About Microsoft Corp

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. For more information on Microsoft and its products please visit

www.microsoft.com

.

All trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

News Source : PCI-SIG Introduces "PCI Express™" (Formerly 3GIO) High-Speed Serial Interconnect Specification