VANTAGE ANNOUNCES RADIOLINK, NEW WIRELESS RF AUTOMATION CONTROLLER FOR RETROFIT MARKET

New wireless RF(radio frequency) technology seamlessly integrates with existing Vantage Control Systems for full-featured automation

OREM, Utah - September 4, 2001 - Vantage Controls today announced RadioLink, its new wireless RF technology that provides, for the first time, a completely integrated wireless RF control system for residential and commercial use. A single RadioLink system handles up to 15 controllers and each controller supports 60 loads (900 loads total) and provides error-free transmissions over 100 feet. Designed as an extension of the existing Vantage System, it provides the most reliable and secure transmission of any market-ready radio automation product.

With RadioLink, small transceivers are built into the entire line of Vantage products offering automation for lighting, audio/video, draperies, blinds, security, climate control and more. This full-featured control system can integrate into any device that can be controlled by RS-232, infrared emitters, DMX, high or low voltage, electronic or mechanical relays and variable voltage output.

"We are excited about this innovative new technology that breaks the barrier for retrofit automation," said Ralph Wilson, president of Vantage Controls. "After being limited to new construction and massive renovation, this is a huge, largely untapped market. Vantage RadioLink will allow us to protect and preserve historical and aesthetic qualities of existing structures. It also opens the door for us to reach customers who have been slow to adapt or who have been uninformed about automation technology."

Vantage RadioLink, positioned between the cordless phone transmission bands at 900 MHz and operating on 25 channels, is significantly less susceptible to radio frequency interference than products situated on a single channel in a commonly used frequency. By using digital spread spectrum technology and a technique known as "frequency hopping," RadioLink changes channel transmissions every 400 milliseconds, ensuring a connection each time a button is pressed. If interference is detected, the RadioLink RF signal merely "hops" to another channel and completes the transmission. With a growing number of radio-controlled products on the market, systems that rely on static (single channel) transmissions will experience an ever-increasing amount of radio interference. Further, serial identification of all system components means transmissions are specific to an identified station, not just broadcast to all stations within range, guaranteeing that RadioLink will never overlap with adjacent RadioLink systems.

Vantage RadioLink is scalable for almost any application. Each RadioLink Controller with a range of over a 100-foot radius covers an area of over 4,000,000 cubic feet, or approximately 37 times the coverage area of competitive RF systems. For even larger installations, up to 15 controllers can be connected to form a single system. In addition to the traditional high-end automation markets, ScenePoint with RadioLink provides the ability to add relay control and dimming one load at a time to serve smaller size installations.

The initial RadioLink product release will include the RadioLink Enabler and a wall box dimmer called ScenePoint. RadioLink Enabler can upgrade conventional 2-wire Vantage Controllers to support the new RadioLink products. When used in this way, the RadioLink Enabler can increase the existing Vantage System Controller capacity by an additional 60 stations.

ScenePoint with RadioLink is a wall box dimmer that is powered via the local line feed and replaces a standard high voltage wall switch. When connected to the Vantage System, ScenePoint acts as a regular control station on the network. In this mode, it can be programmed like any other control station to initiate scenes and events throughout the building. When it is not connected to the network, ScenePoint has a default mode that operates as a standard wall box dimmer.

RadioLink is extremely easy to install. Because of the ease of installation, customers will have the option to readily remove and re-install the product when transferring it to a new home or business location. The windows based Q-Link software used for the conventional 2-wire system provides the same user-friendly programming tool to program RadioLink. Like all Vantage automation control products, RadioLink is backed by an unmatched five-year warranty.

About Vantage Control Systems
Vantage keypads are the primary control points in a Vantage Control System. Since each button is programmed to execute anything from setting a single light to operating all systems in a facility, a simple stylish keypad with a small cluster of buttons replace old-fashioned light switches that are unsightly and confusing. The Vantage System automates and controls lights, fans, pumps, thermostats, audio/video equipment, security systems, sprinklers, motorized drapes/blinds/doors and more. All these are integrated into various scenes that execute on a regular schedule or when activated by buttons and/or sensors. Vantage does it all with plug-and-play controllers and modules. The keypads interconnect via RadioLink (RF) or with a simple, non-polarized, 2-wire bus, making the Vantage Control System the easiest to install and the most trouble free product available.

About Vantage
For over 15 years, Vantage Controls has been a leading manufacturer of automated control and dimming systems for residential and commercial applications. Headquartered in Orem, Utah, Vantage distributes its products with a worldwide network of certified representatives, dealers and installers. For more information, visit the Vantage web site at www.vantagecontrols.com .