Index to Presentations (All presentations are posted as soon as possible after they are received. Presentation titles not linked have not yet been received from the presenter. All presentations are in pdf format unless otherwise noted.)
Bob Downing called the meeting to order at 8:35 AM and asked members to introduce themselves. The minutes from the July VSO meeting were approved as written. The agenda for the meeting was reviewed and was accepted as presented.
Bob called for general announcements. None were made.
John Rynearson presented the VSO patent's policy and called for patent disclosures. Ron Tauton, Systran, disclosed that an IBM patent was used in the VITA 17.1 draft standard. He will discuss the patent with the task group. Ron stated that to his knowledge IBM is willing to license this patent and it is commonly used in the fibre channel industry.
Ray Alderman gave the VITA report. He showed a t-shirt he received from the German police while attending Oktoberfest. Ray discussed the 2001 Bus & Board conference to be held on January 15-16 in San Diego. He presented a list of speakers and market analysis that plan to attend. Also, the conference will speakers who will review current serial and packet bus technologies. Ray noted that several new editors have committed to come. Sponsorship has been strong this year and is almost filled. Attendees will be able to book their rooms via the web.
Ray discussed the current status of the Nortel patents. The previous Nortel attorney, Greg Hood, has turned the patents over to a new Nortel attorney, Doug Sorensen. A number of VITA members have commented to Ray that they have received letters from Nortel re: various patents. VITA's claim of prior art has been sent to Mr. Sorensen Ray discussed various options including the requirements for forming a JDA and the expenses involved. Ray noted that none of the presentation should be construed as legal advice and that VITA members should consult with legal counsel before making decisions in regarding these patents.
Ray noted that the PC104 trade association has been talking with him regarding how they might utilize VITA resources in promoting the PC104 bus. Ray noted that. PC104 members might become involved with the VSO in the future.
John Rynearson updated the group on the status of draft standards in the ANSI canvass ballot process and presented awards to Elwood Parsons, Mike Thompson, and Frank Hom for their efforts in achieving ANSI recognition for VITA 30. See attached overheads.
In addition John Rynearson noted the availability of the VMEbus technology logo to denote products with VME content. The development of the logo was championed and coordinated by Hermann Strass, VITA European Coordinator in conjunction with VITA members and is available from the VITA web site. The logo is trademarked and it may be used by any company on their products to denote VMEbus content. John noted that use of the logo does not imply conformance or compliance of the product by VITA.
Ulrich Wallenhorst, Harting, gave a follow up presentation to Harting's July VSO meeting presentation on Harting's HM connectors and high frequency signals. Ulrich summarized the July presentation and then discussed the development of a test fixture for the new tests. One problem with a high density connector is trying to use a high number of the pins for high speed signals. The routing of the signals to the pins is the issue. Signal paths that "meander" seem to cause the problem. There tests found that the use of intervening grounds doesn't seem to make that much different. The group asked questions re: pin placement. Mike Thompson discussed how these results should affect pin placement for VITA 31. See attached presentation.
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Elwood Parsons, Tyco, presented the SpeedPac I/O connector that is being used on the Infiniband. See attachment.
Mark Schell, FCI, gave a presentation on High Speed Links for high speed signal interconnects.
Ed Barsotti, Fermi, reported on the progress on VITA 2.1. The task group will have a meeting on Thursday morning at 8:00 AM with TI via teleconference. The group is currently working on a simulation to make sure the current design will meet design goals. Ed reviewed the goals of the design and the current status. Jing Kwok asked if this part would be available in mil spec range: -40 to 125. Discussion continued. Ray suggested that the chip be able to work with 2mm connectors.
The meeting was adjourned for lunch.
*** LUNCH ***
Bob Downing called the meeting to order after lunch at 1:06 PM. The next topic on the agenda was a discussion of the IEC's Industry Technical Agreements (ITA). Ray Alderman suggested that members review ITA details on the IEC website at: http://www.iec.ch/ita-e.htm. Ray discussed the nature of ITA's as outlined on their website. While ITA's are not necessarily meant to become full IEC standards, ITA's can be submitted to become IEC standards if the developers so agree. Ray reviewed the differences between the full IEC standards development cycle and the development of an ITA. Discussion continued re: how ITA's could be used within the VSO. Greg Novak asked what criteria would we use to decide if we wanted an effort to be an ITA or an ANSI Standard. Bob discussed several issues he saw as important: how much the ITA process would cost, and how ITA's would fit into the VSO process.
Dick Somes noted that the approval by the IEC of VITA as an ITA submitter must be based on the VSO's current procedures. Ray noted that if the VSO's procedures are changed then they must be submitted to the IEC for re-approval. Ray said he sees the ITA as a way to bring various opposing industry groups together. Bob Downing asked if we need to change the policy or procedures to reflect another option besides VITA or an ANSI standard. Ray suggested that the VSO set up a committee to look into this effort. Bob noted that the VSO needs more info on IEC's ITA procedures. Ray said he will try to get additional material. Someone from the IEC will be invited to the November meeting. Bob Downing will chair a subcommittee with Elwood Parsons and Dick Somes to report back to the VSO re: IEC and the ITA process.
Mike Thompson, Pentair, discussed the current status of VITA 1.4, Live Insertion, VITA 31, Serial I/O on 2mm Connector, and VITA 38, System Management Bus for VME. Mike noted that several groups have reviewed the VITA 1.4 draft standard and have provided him with feedback that he will use to revised the current draft. VITA 31 has been on the back burner until we decide if we can use the 2 mm connector. Mike discussed pinout issues. Mike noted that different protocols might require different connector specifications. Should we rotate the signal pin assignments to get better signal integrity? Mike asked Harting if they could carry out tests on cables using their hard metric connector test fixture. The group discussed cable lengths to test: 0.5m, 2m, and 5m. Mike discussed VITA 38, VMEbus System Management. A draft has been put up on the VSO web page. Mike asked members to review it and email him comments.
Bob Downing reviewed the origins of VITA 34 and asked the group about the next steps. Bob reviewed a list of issues. Frank Hom has taken a look at the hardware box scheme that Bob showed at an earlier VSO meeting. See attached sketch. Frank hopes to have some 3D drawings of the "brick" concept at the November meeting.
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Mike Macphearson, MITRE, reviewed the status of the VITA 20 draft. The basic issue of contention is the size of the thermal hole. The group will call Alan Starrow, Radstone, regarding the hole size to get his consensus. Attached is an email from Gorky Chin, Vista Controls, explaining the issue.
Mike Macphearson, MITRE, discussed the status of VITA 37, PIRMA. See attachment. Mike discussed the purpose and scope. The group decided to see what already had been done. Mike presented a list of mil program requirements and suggested what to do next. Mike Thompson suggested the group look at some IEC environmental standards: IEC 61969, 60721, 61587.
Greg Novak, Motorola, reported on the status of VITA 32, Processor PMC. The draft has been revised and put out for task group ballot. The ballot started on Sep 6, 2000 and will complete on Oct 6, 2000.
Greg reviewed the status of VITA 36. Greg will update the draft and submit it for task group ballot. Greg noted that there is increasing interest in PIM modules.
Bob adjourned the meeting at 4:22 PM.
Thursday, September 21, 2000
Bob Downing called the meeting to order at 8:40 AM.
Ron Taulton, Systran, reported that he is updating the draft for VITA 17.1, Serial FPDP and it should be available within several weeks. The current draft specifies OC48. Ron proposed that it be changed to Gigabit Ethernet. Ron noted that a IBM patented algorithm is required. Ron will obtain a letter from IBM starting their willingness to license this algorithm.
Elwood Parsons, Tyco, reported on the latest task group ballot for VITA 30.2. 11 out of 15 ballots have been returned. 1 more ballot return is required for the ballot to meet the VSO 75/75 rule. The ballot period will be extended to allow more ballots to come in.
Ed Barsotti reported on the VITA 2.1 task group meeting. The group is considering a ball grid package which has more pins. The additional pins will provide several more control signals. TI was asked to characterize the proposed device over military temperature range - 40 to + 125. The next step is to run simulations to assure that 48 ma drivers will be acceptable. If 48 ma drivers are okay, then the VSO will determine whether or not the ANSI/VITA 1, VME64 should be changed. Mac Rush discussed a change in the control logic. This information will be sent to TI for inclusion in the chip.
Mike Macphearson, MITRE, reported on the conference call with Alan Starrow regarding VITA 20. Alan stated that he is interested in seeing the draft standard completed. He will consider the proposed change and will get back to the task group.
Dick Somes, Force Computers, reported on the status of VITA 30.1, 2mm Equipment Practice for Conduction Cooled Euroboard. Several editorial changes have been made in the draft and it is now ready for ANSI canvass ballot.
Mac Rush reported on the VITA 32 which is in task group ballot and VITA 36 which will be revised and then sent out for task group ballot.
Bob Downing reported on VITA 34. A list of critical issues were complied at the task group meeting and Bob reviewed the list. See attachment. Mike Macpherson asked about connectors. Frank Hom will try to create some 3-D models for review at the November meeting.
Mike Macphearson asked for input re: VITA 37. Other documents re: environment are being requested.
VITA 38 is a new effort called System Management for VMEbus. Mike Thompson asked members to review the posted draft and provide him with comments.
John Rynearson reviewed the proposed schedule for March, May, and July meetings in 2001. Several locations and dates were discussed. VITA will use these suggestions as inputs for next year and start making arrangements.
Bob Downing adjourned the meeting at 9: 45 AM.
Submitted by /s/ John Rynearson, VITA Secretariat