Elma Bustronic now offers VXS backplanes with a Gigabit Ethernet control layer channel per VITA 41.6. The first in the series is a 20-slot size backplane with a dual star routing topology and 18-layer stripline design. The Gigabit Ethernet control channel provides for out-of-band communication, highly desirable for system management, software and firmware upgrades, and initiating new processes on specific boards. The 7U high backplane also provides power studs in 3.3V, 5V, 12V, and GND along the top and bottom of the backplane. Dual Star VXS backplanes in eight-, 12-, 18-, 20-, and 21-slot versions are also available. They include sizes in five slots and an eight-slot with one hub, five payload, and two legacy VME64x slots. ELMA ELECTRONIC INC., Fremont, CA. (510) 656-3400.