VSO Minutes
Wednesday, January
17, 2001
San Diego, CA
(Editor’s Note: All attachments and presentations will be posted as soon as they are received from their respective authors. If a “See attachment” is not yet linked, it means the presentation hasn’t been received yet.)
Bob Downing, VSO Chair, called the meeting to order at 10:35 AM and asked attendees to introduce themselves. After introductions the minutes from the November 2000 meeting were approved as distributed. John Rynearson presented the ANSI and VSO patent policies. John asked for patent disclosures. No disclosures were made.
Ray Alderman, VITA, discussed the success of the previous two days Bus&Board conference. Both vendor and attendees increased from last year. Ray noted that he had heard nothing new from Nortel’s attorney regarding specific patent issues.
Bob Downing presented Ray Alderman and John Rynearson with colorful blue and red official “VITA” slippers in recognition of their move to home offices. See attached VITA slipper label.
John Rynearson gave the canvass ballot report. See attachment. John also discussed the current status of several IEEE reaffirmation ballots. After discussion the VSO membership agreed to recommend the withdrawal of IEEE 1014. It will still be available as an archived standard if needed. Dick Somes, Force Computers, asked about the status of IEC 821. John said that he would talk to Chris Parkman, CERN, about it.
John noted that elections for chair and vice-chair were to be held by the March meeting. John asked outgoing chair, Bob Downing, and previous chair, Dick Somes, to be on the nominating committee with him. Members should submit potential candidates to the nominations committee.
Hermann Strass, VITA Europe, reported on various activities in Europe. See attachments. Hermann has written numerous articles on bus technology for a variety of European magazines.. Hermann helped coordinate the development of a VMEbus Technology brochure – a cooperative venture among a number of European VMEbus manufacturers to help heighten the awareness of VMEbus use. Hermann noted VITA’s presence at Electronica 2000 and displayed a picture of VITA’s booth.. Hermann presented a list of vendors and cooling methods. Hermann displayed a press release dated 21 October 1981 that noted the beginning of VME at Systems ’81 in Munich.
Bob Downing asked John Rynearson to create a web page with links to all the information accumulated during the past several years by the VSO on board cooling techniques.
*** LUNCH ***
Brian Patterson, Tyco, gave a presentation on the current status of optical and hybrid backplane technologies. See presentation. Brian expressed the view that optical interconnect use was invading the chassis and good implementation techniques were available today.
*** BREAK ***
VITA 34, A Framework for an Embedded Modular Architecture
Frank Hom, APW Electronic Solutions, presented the work he had done to make mock ups of the proposed VITA 34 packaging. See presentation. Frank discussed various cooling methods and referenced IEEE P1101.8, Draft Mechanical Standard for Liquid-Flow-Through Cooled Modules, 10SU Form Factor and NSWC-6043-AECS-5, Liquid-Flow-Through Module/Cardcage Thermal & Environmental Test Report. Tom Perazzo, APW Electronic Solutions, discussed calculations to determine thermal load. (Ed. Note: Paper copies of these documents are available upon request from the VITA office). The membership discussed the size of the modules and optimum spacing. Optimum depths such as 220mm, 240mm, and 300mm. were also discussed.
Bob Downing suggested that some type of mechanism be use to secure the modules into the backpanel such as the type of fastener commonly used on the cowling of an aircraft. Much discussion followed as to the best method. Joe Pavlat expressed interest in new ways of bringing power onto modules. He will present his ideas at an upcoming VSO meeting. Henry Wong, Motorola, discussed his concerns of bent pins in CompactPCI backplanes and his desire to reduce the overall cost of packaging.
VITA 32, Processor PMC (ProcPMC) Task Group Meeting
Greg Novak, Motorola, discussed the results of the previous task group ballot. Several comments concerned characteristics of the carrier board. The group discussed the best way to address these concerns and whether or not carrier board requirements should be included in the draft standard. The task group decided to include a section to address carrier board requirements and to suggest good design practices that would insure interoperability.
VITA 31, Serial I/O on 2mm Connectors
Mike Thompson, Pentair, reviewed draft 0.5 and discussed serial pin assignments for various protocols. The group discussed whether or not another document such as VITA 31.1 would be used to define an implementation. Mike Macphearson, MITRE, indicated interest in developing an implementation.
The meeting was adjourned for the day at 5:35 PM by Bob Downing.
VITA 2.1 Enhanced ETL, Task Group Meeting
The VITA 2.1 task group had a conference call to discuss the latest data sheet for the VMEbus chip being developed by TI. After reviewing a number of issues the task group approved the specifications for the chip and gave TI the go-ahead for the next step. The VITA 2.1 task group meeting was then adjourned.
The VSO meeting was called to order at 9:00 AM by Bob Downing, VSO chair. Bob asked the task group chairs to make their reports.
VITA 38, System Management for VME
Mike Thompson, Pentair, noted that he had not received any comments on the latest draft and asked members to please review the draft and comment on it.
VITA 29, PC•MIP, Negative Ballot Review
Larry Smith, SBS, reported on the latest efforts to resolve the gasket/EMI issue raised during the canvass ballot. Several materials have been tried and the latest material appears to provide very good EMI shielding. The VITA 29 draft standard will be revised and a 60 day re-circulation ballot will be held.
VITA 20, CCPMC (Conduction Cooled PMC)
Mike Macphearson, MITRE, reported that the final issues regarding hole dimensions have been resolved and the latest task group ballot received 75/75 consensus. VITA 20 will now be moved to the canvass ballot process.
VITA 30.2, Separable Power Connectors
Elwood Parsons, Tyco, reported that the latest task group ballot for VITA 30.2 met the 75/75 consensus VSO rule and was ready for the next step. The task group will decide whether or not to pursue ANSI standardization or to make VITA 30.2 an ITA under the IEC.
IEC/Industry Technical Agreement (ITA) Discussion
Bob Downing, Elwood Parsons, and Dick Somes reported on their effort to reach an agreement with the IEC that would allow the VSO to submit draft specifications to the IEC as ITA’s. Bob noted that Jack Sheldon of the IEC didn’t have any objections with the issues outlined in the memorandum of understanding. Ray Alderman and John Rynearson of VITA will work out the final details with Jack and present a revised set of VSO Policies and Procedures and an agreement with the IEC at the March VSO meeting.
Bob Downing suggested that the membership consider changing the format of future meetings to encourage that more work be done at the actual meetings. The March meeting will continue with the same format as previous meetings, but the format for future meetings may change.
John Rynearson presented the schedule for future meetings. See VITA web site.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:27 AM.
Submitted by:
/s/ John Rynearson, VITA Secretariat
