Pigeon Point Systems Announces MicroTCA Carrier Management Controller BMR Starter Kit Using Fusion Mixed-Signal FPGA

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 11, 2009 — Pigeon Point Systems (PPS), an Actel company, announced today a new MicroTCA® Carrier Management Controller (MCMC) Board Management Reference (BMR) Starter Kit based on Actel's mixed-signal Fusion FPGA. The new starter kit delivers a world class solution for the mandatory management controllers used in MicroTCACarrier Hub (MCH) modules, including the Carrier Manager and Shelf Manager functions.

Based on Pigeon Point Systems' field-proven MCMC offering, the kit accelerates a customer's design cycle and enables designers to concentrate on differentiating their MCH products instead of using internal effort to meet management requirements for specification compliance and interoperability. In addition to the MCMC functionality, the ARM® Cortex™-M1 processor in the mixed-signal Fusion FPGA hosts the Pigeon Point™ µCarrier Manager™ and µShelf Manager™ components to enable cost-effective and compact management of an entire MicroTCA shelf. The Fusion FPGA based MCMC integrates significant functionality that would need to be implemented as external devices in an MCMC based on a traditional microcontroller, saving substantial bill-of-materials (BOM) cost and reducing footprint.

The kit includes the following:

• Schematics for a complete MCMC subsystem ready for integration into an MCH design.
• Customer-adaptable design for the Fusion FPGA that serves as the core of that subsystem.
• Corresponding firmware, delivered in source form.
• Bench top MCMC and supporting hardware to enable an immediate ramp up on MicroTCA's IPMI-based management framework, without waiting for custom hardware.

For more information on the Fusion-based MCMC BMR Starter Kit, visit www.pigeonpoint.com/products.html#board or inquire via info@pigeonpoint.com.

For more information on mixed-signal Fusion FPGAs: http://www.actel.com/products/fusion

About Pigeon Point Systems
Pigeon Point Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Actel Corporation, delivers world-class management components for modular platforms based on the AdvancedTCA®, AdvancedMC™ and MicroTCA architectures to leading companies worldwide. Pigeon Point's focus on providing dependable, proven solutions for the mandatory management controllers in these architectures allows customers to concentrate on the value-added aspects of their products. Deep expertise on these architectures ensures compliance and interoperability in the Pigeon Point components.

Pigeon Point, an executive member of PICMG®, is a leader in its AdvancedTCA, AdvancedMC, and MicroTCA subcommittees and is active in many other technical subcommittees. Pigeon Point is also a contributing member of the Service Availability Forum™ and a leader in its HPI Working Group. For more information on Pigeon Point Systems, visit www.pigeonpoint.com.

About Actel
Actel is the leader in low-power FPGAs and mixed-signal FPGAs, offering the most comprehensive portfolio of system and power management solutions. Power Matters. Learn more at www.actel.com.