New Software from Echelon Adds Versatile Networking to Smart DevicesLonWorks® Networks and the Internet Now Accessible to Any Microprocessor-Based Appliance(Sunnyvale, CA - April 10, 2001) - Today, at the Embedded Systems Conference and Exhibition, Echelon Corporation (NASDAQ: ELON) announced software that enables any product that contains a microcontroller to quickly and inexpensively become a networked, Internet-accessible device. The software is royalty-free for developers when used with select Echelon transceiver products. Limited only by the imagination, the type of device can range from simple home appliances, thermostats, and security systems to sophisticated factory-floor or building control equipment. By leveraging the existing 8, 16, or 32-bit microcontroller and software inside a device and adding only a tiny amount (less than 2.5K) of additional code, Echelon's ShortStack™ software enables manufacturers to add substantial new functionality to their products while preserving their past development investment. With ShortStack software, devices can communicate with other smart devices over the Internet and across LonWorks® networks, the world's leading open standard for networking everyday devices. The potential advantages resulting from such a network are numerous; devices can become part of integrated home, industrial, building, and transportation systems, and manufacturers can add remote diagnostics, maintenance, monitoring, and control services to their products. "Whether the goal is reducing peak electric loads by remotely turning off air conditioners and electric dryers or controlling house lights from the browser in your cell phone, the demand for intelligent, networked devices is growing rapidly," said Ethan Cohen, senior analyst of energy & utilities at Aberdeen Group. "Echelon's new software makes it easy to add networking to an existing product without redesigning it from scratch. Obtaining such a change in the functionality of a device used to require a total engineering redesign. ShortStack software changes the economics of value engineering and can literally extend the manufacturing life of a product family, potentially saving a company millions of dollars in the process." "Billions of microcontrollers are shipped each year and embedded into everyday devices all around us," said Michael Tennefoss, Echelon's vice president of product marketing and customer services. "In many cases, companies such as home appliance manufacturers have invested years into ensuring that their controller hardware and software is reliable and meets applicable safety agency guidelines. ShortStack software allows these manufacturers to preserve their significant hardware and software investments, enjoy all of the many benefits of LonWorks networking, and even extend the useful life of a product family. For example, embedding Echelon's ShortStack software and PLT-22 Power Line Transceiver into an air conditioner, electric meter, or furnace enables these devices to be monitored and controlled from anywhere within a home. Add a Cisco-certified i.LON™ 1000 Internet Server or an Echelon dial-out solution, and those same devices can then be monitored and controlled over the Internet - via a utility service center, a cell phone, or your browser at work." Beta versions of ShortStack have already been released and integrated into both white goods and electric meters. Potential ShortStack users include large white goods and consumer electronics companies; air conditioner and furnace manufacturers; and producers of home controls such as thermostats, alarm systems, electric meters, lighting systems, and pool and spa controls. ShortStack software is available for immediate limited release, with general availability planned for the second half of 2001. The developer's kit includes the ANSI C source code for the ShortStack API; a driver; an example application; and documentation. There is no cost for the ShortStack developer�s kit and no royalty charge for the ShortStack software when used with Echelon's standard power line and free-topology twisted pair transceiver products. Echelon is actively working with microprocessor and microcontroller manufacturers to promote ShortStack use by high-volume customers. Interested manufacturers should contact ShortStack product marketing manager Rich Blomseth (rich@echelon.com). About Echelon Corporation Echelon is based in Sunnyvale, California with international offices in China, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Further information can be found at http://www.echelon.com. ### Echelon, LonWorks, LonMark, the LonMark logo, and the Echelon logo are trademarks of Echelon Corporation registered in the United States and other countries. Bringing the Internet to Life is a trademark of Echelon Corporation. Other marks belong to their respective holders. This press release may contain statements relating to future plans, events or performance. Such statements may involve risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with uncertainties pertaining to the timing and level of customer orders, demand for products and services, development of markets for Echelon's products and services, and other risks identified in Echelon's SEC filings. Actual results, events and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Echelon undertakes no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Contact Information
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