Industry Leaders Announce Open Host Interface Specification for USB

Broad Industry Initiative Speeds Adoption of USB and Extends "Outside-
the-Box" PC Connectivity

SAN JOSE, SEPTEMBER 6, 1995 -- Microsoft, Compaq, and National
Semiconductor today announced a broad industry initiative to create an
open host controller interface (HCI) standard for Universal Serial Bus
(USB). This initiative builds on the benefits of the USB by developing an
open, widely-available interface called Open HCI for USB. Backed by 25
companies, this initiative will make it easier for companies -- including
PC manufacturers, component vendors and peripheral suppliers --throughout
the industry to more quickly develop products that support USB, thus
accelerating the market adoption of this innovative and useful technology.
In addition, the Open HCI will be fully supported in future versions of
Microsoft Windows 95 and Windows NT.

Since the host interface is left undefined by the USB specification, the
Open HCI initiative defines this interface within the PC, enabling
connections to the USB bus. By defining a non-proprietary standard
interface to the register level, highly-compatible USB host controllers
can be developed quickly, and at reduced costs. In addition, companies
will be able to rapidly develop products and components that will be
incorporated into systems, motherboards and add-in cards for connection to
USB peripherals. Components based on the newly defined interface will be
available in the fourth quarter of 1995 from several component vendors.
Users should see PC products incorporating the Open Host Controller
Interface mid-year 1996.

The USB specification was developed to greatly simplify PC-to-peripheral
and PC-to-telephony connections by allowing a large number and wide
variety of peripherals to be connected to one standard port.

"Microsoft is fully committed to supporting USB and the Open HCI
initiative," said Carl Stork, Director Hardware Programs, Microsoft. "We
will be providing drivers for Open HCI in future versions of Windows. The
Open HCI specification allows standard drivers to be developed and shipped
with the operating system. These drivers will work with all systems using
Open HCI and ensure interoperability of USB-based PCs and peripherals."

"Once again Compaq is working within the industry to create a standard that
offers tremendous benefits," said John T. Rose, Senior Vice President at
Compaq. "The Open HCI initiative will enable many companies to more
quickly develop USB-compliant products and allow many more suppliers to
compete on a level playing field in the marketplace. This will greatly
enhance Compaq's -- as well as other PC manufacturers' -- ability to
deliver leading, yet cost effective, USB technology to all customers."

"This specification gives component vendors a standard systems level
interface to complement the USB Specification," said Doug McBurnie, Vice
President and General Manager for the LAN Division at National
Semiconductor. "Open HCI is the lynch pin that ties together USB
components, software and systems. Now vendors have all the pieces they
need to build real solutions."

The Open HCI initiative is already supported by a significant number of
leading PC, chipset, software, BIOS and peripheral companies, including
the following:

   Analog Devices Atmel Award
   Compaq Computer Corp. CMD Crystal Semiconductor
   Digital Equipment Corp. Fujitsu/ICL IBM
   Microchip Microsoft Corp. National Semiconductor
   NEC NexGen OPTi
   Philips Phoenix Technology SiS
   SMC Symbios Logic Symphony
   Texas Instruments UMC VIA Technologies
   VLSI

The Open HCI Specification is available immediately in draft form and will
be offered under the same open licensing terms as the USB 1.0
Specification. A free copy of the Open HCI specification is available
through the World Wide Web on our product and technical publications area
at "http://www.compaq.com", or a copy of the specification can be
requested through email at ihv@microsoft.com. The USB specification
package, which was jointly developed by Compaq, Digital, IBM, Intel,
Microsoft, NEC and Northern Telecom, is available free of charge through
the World Wide Web at: "http://WWW.teleport.com/~USB" or by calling
1-800-433-3652 (US $35 for printing and shipping.).

COMPANY BACKGROUNDS

Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) is the world's largest supplier of
personal computers, offering desktop PCs, portable PCs and servers.
Founded in 1982, the company reported 1994 worldwide sales of $10.9
billion. Compaq products are sold and supported in more than 100 countries
through a network of more than 38,000 Compaq marketing partners. Compaq
also sells directly to customers through Compaq Direct Plus at
1-800-888-5858. Compaq provides 24-hour customer support and can be
reached through the Compaq forums on America Online, CompuServe, Internet
(http://www.compaq.com), and Prodigy, or by calling 1-800-345-1518.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in
software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of
products and services for business and personal use, each designed with
the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take
advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

National Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE: NSM) designs, develops and
markets semiconductor technologies for moving and shaping information. The
company focuses on strategic markets within the communications, personal
systems, industrial and consumer markets. National Semiconductor is
headquartered in Santa Clara, California, and has 22,300 employees
worldwide. In fiscal 1995, the company reported sales of $2.4 billion and
achieved the highest earnings in its history.
 
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