SAN JOSE, Calif. - Echelon Corp., a leading supplier of technology for the LonWorks® control networking platform, has announced a new low-cost development kit designed to simplify the process of evaluating and deploying control networks. The new tool, called the Mini EVK, is priced at $345 - less than one-tenth the price of previously available development kits - making it affordable for virtually any engineer to assess the viability of the LonWorks platform for his or her control network product, says the company.

"The Mini EVK is a breakthrough for designers. It is intended to excite their curiosity, demonstrate new capabilities, and significantly speed product development," said Michael Tennefoss, vice president of marketing for Echelon. "With the Mini EVK, designers can rapidly and inexpensively explore the benefits of adding control networking technology to devices as simple as a light switch - or as complex as industrial machines and system controllers for commercial buildings."