New Low-Cost, PC-Based, Embedded VXI Computers Lower Cost of Entry for VXI

AUSTIN, TEXAS -- MAY 15, 1996 -- National Instruments -- The Virtual
Instrumentation Company -- announced today a new series of low-cost,
single-slot, embedded VXIbus controllers that drive down the cost of entry
for VXIbus. The VXIpc-740 Series includes the VXIpc-740/100 and the
VXIpc-745/100, both of which feature 100 MHz 486 processors. All VXIpc-740
Series computers have a PCI local bus design as the direct connection to
the VXIbus as well as the primary connection to peripheral devices, such
as the Super VGA video, PCMCIA, and the enhanced IDE hard drive. Both are
fully VXIplug&play compliant and are compatible with PC-compatible
software tools, the company's LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI application
software, and NI-VISA, NI-VXI, and NI-488.2 bus interface software for
Windows 95, Windows NT, Windows 3.1, and DOS.

"The VXIpc-740 Series represents a significant price/performance
introduction to the VXI controller market for users," said James Kimery,
VXI Product Manager for National Instruments. "It combines a fully
PC-compatible computer with our MITE and MANTIS custom ASICs to deliver a
high-performance, low-cost solution for VXI control that occupies only one
VXI slot."

ABOUT THE VXIPC-740 SERIES CONTROLLERS

The VXIpc-740 Series is available in two models -- the standard
VXIpc-740/100 and the VXIpc-745/100. Both controllers require only one VXI
C-size slot and come complete with a 3.5 in. floppy drive, Super VGA, one
serial port, PCMCIA, 16 MB DRAM (can be upgraded to 64 MB using standard
computer SIMMs), and an 800 MB enhanced IDE hard drive. The VXIpc-745/100
adds integrated support for GPIB and 10-Base-T Ethernet on the motherboard
with direct front panel connections to these peripherals.

The VXIpc-740 Series controllers use the MITE, MANTIS, and TNT4882C custom
ASICs to deliver superior VXI and GPIB performance and higher reliability.
Because these controllers use the MITE ASIC with integrated DMA, VME64,
and built-in PCI, they can achieve more than 12 Mbytes/s VXI data transfer
rates.

DRIVER AND APPLICATION SOFTWARE EASE SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

All VXIpc-740 Series computers are completely compatible with the
VXIplug&play Systems Alliance specifications, and include NI-VISA -- the
VXI I/O software standard -- installed and configured on the hard drive.
VXIpc-740 Series computers also accommodate the large installed base of
NI-VTL and NI-VXI users; existing applications written for NI-VTL and
NI-VXI will run unaltered. The VXIpc-740 Series computers are completely
compatible with the company's popular LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI software
packages.

ABOUT NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS

National Instruments, headquartered in Austin, Texas, manufactures software
and hardware products for PCs and workstations that scientists and
engineers worldwide use to build virtual instrumentation systems. These
systems are used for research and industrial applications, such as
automated testing, laboratory automation, advanced research, industrial
control, factory automation, physiological monitoring, numerical analysis,
and data visualization.

National Instruments stock is traded on the NASDAQ National Market System
under the symbol NATI. Further information on National Instruments may be
obtained from the company's SEC filings or by directly contacting the
company's Investor Relations Department at (512) 349-5090.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

VXIpc-740 Series computers will be available in Q3. For more information,
contact:

National Instruments
6504 Bridge Point Parkway
Austin, Texas 78730-5039
(512) 794-0100

Or call toll free in the U.S. and Canada at (800) 433-3488, fax (512)
794-8411, e-mail info@natinst.com. Readers can also access information
through the company's InstrumentationWeb at http://www.natinst.com/
 
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