Digi Connects Wireless and Wired Devices in Hazardous Environments

- Digi offers ruggedized M2M networking solutions for extreme operating conditions -

MINNETONKA, Minn. (Aug. 2008) - Digi International (NASDAQ: DGII) today introduced a line of wired and wireless device networking solutions designed for reliable operation in hazardous environments. The product line includes the Digi Connect® WAN IA cellular router, XTend™ radio frequency (RF) modem, PortServer® TS Haz MEI serial server and Digi One® IAP Haz serial server. The products are designed to network enable devices in manufacturing and industrial environments where exposure to volatile liquids and gases and severe temperature ranges is common.

“We now offer a group of solutions for this fast growing segment of the M2M device connectivity market,” said Larry Kraft, senior vice president of global sales and marketing, Digi International. “Device connectivity requirements are everywhere. With the operational safety and rugged features of these products, customers can reliably extend their device networks into the harshest of environments.”

The new products are Class 1, Division 2 rated, certifying them for use in environments where volatile flammable liquids, vapors or gases may exist. Industries exhibiting these characteristics include power distribution, oil and gas, water/wastewater, pharmaceutical, food and beverage and agribusiness to name a few. The products also feature conformal coating, a spray-on treatment applied to the printed circuit assembly (PCA) that provides a protective barrier against moisture and corrosion. The products are also rated and lab tested to meet extended operating temperatures typically required in industrial environments. The Digi Connect WAN IA can operate in temperatures between -30° C and 70° C, the XTend RF modem between -40° C and 85° C, and the PortServer TS Haz MEI and Digi One IAP between -35° C and 74° C.

The Digi Connect WAN IA is an Ethernet-to-cellular router with built in Modbus that provides enterprise backup and primary connectivity to devices in remote locations and features industrial hardware/software components. Ideal for any environment where running a cable is difficult such as crossing a highway, the XTend RF modem provides serial cable replacement over a 900MHz RF connection and can provide up to 40 miles of range in line-of-sight conditions. The PortServer TS Haz MEI serial server provides high-performance serial-to-Ethernet connectivity and makes it easy to connect one to four serial devices to a network. The Digi One IAP Haz provides serial-to-Ethernet connectivity and a protocol bridge to allow interoperability of industrial serial and Ethernet devices.

The Digi Connect WAN IA, XTend RF modem, PortServer TS Haz MEI and Digi One IAP Haz are now available. For more information, please visit http://www.digi.com/applications/hazardous/.
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