Multi-Tech Announces Break Escape Technology

MOUNDS VIEW, MINNESOTA--February 5,1993--Multi-Tech Systems Inc., a leading
data communications technology company, announced today that all of its
modem products now support Multi-Tech's <BREAK> AT <CR> escape sequence as
an option. The use of the BREAK signal, which is an "out of band signal,"
provides a mechanism for changing from data to command mode during a data
communications session with zero probability of accidental escapes during
file transfers.

"The issue of what modem escape technique is best has had a lot of
publicity lately, and the resulting confusion may have created some doubt
in users' minds about the security of their data transmission," states
Raghu Sharma, President of Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. "The Multi-Tech
<BREAK> AT <CR> escape technique is the best technique possible. In
contrast to in-band escape sequences, it is an out-of-band escape
sequence. An out-of-band escape sequence, as the name implies, cannot and
does not occur in the data streams. We have incorporated the Multi-Tech
<BREAK> AT <CR> escape sequence in our modems as one of two techniques. We
are making no proprietary claims to the technology and offer full
documentation on its implementation to any interested parties."

The purpose of an escape technique is to change the modem's operational
status from On-line to Command mode. In fact, escape methods primarily
exist so that upon completion of a call a modem can be hung up. The
process of hanging up a modem can be accomplished in many ways, one of
which is to drop the DTR signal, which is a specific pin on the RS232
interface, and another way is to escape or change the modem from On-line
mode to Command mode, so that a hang up command can be issued (e.g., ATH
<CR>). If your data session is interactive, you can enter the escape
sequence on your keyboard. However with most PC-based communications
software, the software sends the escape sequence to the modem.

Escape sequences can be referred to as "in-band" or "out-of-band." An
in-band escape sequence is a pattern that is made up of characters that
individually can exist in the data (i.e. they are in the data band). The
<BREAK> AT <CR> escape sequence is an out-of-band escape sequence. An
out-of-band escape sequence is a pattern that cannot and does not occur in
the data stream. The <BREAK> AT <CR> escape sequence occurs by sending the
"break" signal followed by the letters A and T, an optional sequence of
commands and a carriage return. The break signal is a constant space of a
certain minimum duration (e.g. CCITT defines this minimum as 135
milliseconds).

In a related event, AT&T Microelectronics will support the <BREAK> AT <CR>
escape sequence as an option in their complete high speed modem chip set
products. According to Bob Rango, Marketing Manager of AT&T's
Microelectronics division, "The reason that we are incorporating the
<BREAK> AT <CR> escape sequence into our devices is that it gives our
customers another option in implementing means of escape. Our goal is to
give our customers as many options as possible. This new escape technique
will be going into all of our future complete high speed modem chip set
products. By complete chip sets we mean those that include the controller
subsystem and a data pump subsystem". With over 30 modem manufacturers
using these chip sets the <BREAK> AT <CR> escape sequence will provide an
attractive alternative for software developers and users alike.

Multi-Tech Systems, which reported sales of $81 million for 1992, was
founded in 1970 to manufacture data communications equipment and systems
for the global market of networking product users. The Minnesota-based
company is a well-known for its MultiModem line of dial-up communications
products. Multi-Tech's family of products include a complete line of
data/fax modems, MultiMux statistical multiplexers, DSUs, 3270/3780/5250
emulation systems, X.25 PADS/switches, UNIX serial interfaces,
communications software, LAN/WAN connectivity products, and most recently,
the MultiModemPCS, a voice/data/fax personal communications system. These
products are sold in over 70 countries through a worldwide network of
distributors, manufacturer's reps, systems integrators, value-added
resellers (VARs) and retailers. Multi-Tech Systems Inc. can be contacted
at its headquarters: 2205 Woodale Drive, Mounds View, Minnesota 55112.
Voice (612) 785-3500 or (800) 328-9717, FAX (612) 785-9874, International
FAX (612) 331-3180

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