VSO Meeting Minutes

May 22-23, 2002

Scottsdale, AZ

Call to Order, Introductions, and Agenda Review

Elwood Parsons, Tyco and VSO Chair, called the meeting to order at 8:35 AM and asked the members to introduce themselves. After introductions, the agenda was reviewed. No changes were requested.

Statement of VSO Patent Policy

There were no announcements and John Rynearson, VITA Technical Director, proceeded with the presentation of VSO’s patent policy.

Patents may be part of a standard, but committee members must be made aware of such patents at the earliest possible time. Patents which are essential to compliance with the standard must be made available to others on terms that are considered reasonable and non discriminatory (RAND). John reminded members that failure to comply with VSO’s patent policy allows the working group to go back and reconsider their original decision and to exclude the patented technology from the proposed standard.

Call for Disclosures

John asked for patent disclosures. No patent disclosures were presented.

VITA Report

Ray Alderman gave the VITA report. He noted that intellectual property issues will continue to dominate many standard activities. According to Ray many analysts predict that an upturn in telecom activities is still one to two years out. One analyst felt that telecom would not turn around until 2010. Ray noted that the military cots area continues to be strong for VME and suggested members consider what they have to offer in this area. Growth in mil-cots is 20-25% with growth in industrial controls in the 5-7% range. There is also some renewed interest in medical applications. Ray suggested members read the new book, “Opening the Xbox: Inside Microsoft’s Plan to Unleash an Entertainment Revolution” by Dean Takahashi, to gain a perspective of the changing relationship between Intel and Microsoft. The Xbox, viewed as one of the first Internet appliances, has no Intel content.

John Rynearson, VITA, gave the standards report. See overhead presentation. John presented the new system he has implemented called WebBallots™ which provides for standards balloting via the web rather than email. This system allows for real-time monitoring of balloting and shows each balloter whether or not he has balloted. WebBallots can be used for both working group and ANSI canvass ballots.

John asked VSO members to consider participating in the reaffirmation ballots of the following standards: ANSI/VITA 3, Board Level Live Insertion, ANSI/VITA 4, IP Modules, ANSI/VITA 6, SCSA, ANSI/VITA 10, SkyChannel, and ANSI/VITA 12, M-Modules. Anyone with an interest in these standards can sign-up at the following URL: http://www.vita.com/cb-solicit/cbsv0304061012-2002.html. Balloters do not have to be VITA members.

John noted that VITA 1.5, 2eSST was coming to the end of it’s 30 month trial period on June 1, 2002. At that time it must be withdrawn as a trial use standard. It can be revised if required and then submitted to the ANSI process. After discussion the VSO decided to revise the draft to include a footnote reference to the new TI transceiver which provides the required monotonic signal. The draft will be submitted to the working group for review and if there are no objections, the draft will be submitted to the ANSI canvass process starting in mid to late June.

ANSI/VITA 29, PC-MIP has been approved by ANSI. VITA is currently reviewing the proposed trademark licensing agreement that would allow anyone building ANSI/VITA 29 compatible products to use the PC-MIP trademark and attribute it as licensed from VITA. The license review should be completed within several weeks.

VITA 30.1, 2mm Equipment Practice for Conduction Cooled Euroboard Systems, has completed its recirculation ballot. Both negative ballots were changed to positive and none of the affirmative ballots were changed. The ANSI public review period will be completed on June 17, 2002. Results will then be forwarded to ANSI. Approval is expected before the next VSO meeting.

ANSI/VITA 1, VME64 completed its reaffirmation ballot successfully and ANSI reaffirmation approval has been received. As per ANSI rules, there were no changes made to the reaffirmed standard. It will be designated as ANSI/VITA 1-2002, VME64. Copies are available in hardcopy or PDF from the VITA office.

Patents and Standards

John gave a presentation on the status of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Hearings titled “Competition and Intellectual Property Law and Policy in the Knowledge-Based Economy”. There is concern that both Standards Development Organizations (SDO’s, formal standards bodies) and Standard Setting Organizations (SSO’s, consortia) need additional rules to provide uniformity in how patented technology is handled in both formal standards and consortia specifications. The DOJ/FTC hearings will conclude in May and further information will be provided to VITA members at the July VSO meeting.

Jim Koser, FCI, raised the issue of what the time limits were for providing terms for licensing intellectual property. He noted that it was possible for a company to indicate its willingness to license, but then to fail to produce the terms in a reasonable time frame. The membership indicated that a time limit of 30 days was reasonable. John indicated that he would come up with a proposal for the next VSO meeting.

VSO Teleconference Attendance

John presented a proposal for teleconference access to VSO meetings. Basically teleconference attendees can call in and participate in VSO meetings, but they will not be able to vote nor will they earn attendance rights. The VSO will try this proposal for a year and then review it. Attendees noted that not being able to vote and not receiving attendance rights didn’t provide much motivation for attending via teleconference. This policy will be reviewed after one year for possible modification. Also, John asked members to send him any information they had on teleconference equipment suitable for VSO meetings.

*** BREAK at 10:00 AM

VITA 41, VXS Report

Bob Tufford, Motorola, reviewed the agenda for the VITA 41 reports. Nils Steffensen, Motorola, reviewed the base level draft, VITA 41.0. Mark German gave an update on VITA 41.1, VXS InfiniBand™ Protocol Layer Proposal, and Tony Lavely, reviewed the status of VITA 41.2, VXS RAPIDIO™ Protocol Layer Proposal. See presentations.

Bob introduced, Jim Fedder and Tim Minnick of Tyco who discussed the status and issues surrounding the Multigig RT connector. Jim and Tim gave a general overview, discussed system test data for the tier 3 connector, reviewed design objectives, and went over business strategy. See presentations.

Steve Pavola, Sky Computer, presented the draft document for implementing hot swap on VITA 41. See presentation. Larry Thompson, CRANE, discussed the mil test requirements document for the Multigig connector. See test document.

Ted Prosser, Harting, asked the VSO to consider a new activity to be designated, VITA 1.7. This activity would specify higher current capability for DIN connectors, both 96 and 160 pin, used on VME. Ted noted that the original specification was very conservative and that in VMEbus applications additional current could be pulled. Motorola, Tyco, and Harting have agreed to sponsor this activity. A sign-up sheet was circulated. A discussion ensued as to whether or not this activity should be another standard or should be incorporated into existing standard. The VITA 1.7 working group will address this issue.

Henry Wong noted that he was pleased that initial testing of the multigig RT connector indicated that it may be possible to push copper to at least the 10 Gbit/second range.

*** LUNCH

Mark German, Motorola, gave a presentation summarizing some of the issues surrounding the implementation of VITA 1.5, 2eSST. See presentation.

VITA 34, A New Modular Framework

Bob Downing, consultant, reviewed the design objectives and status of VITA 34. Frank Hom, reviewed the status of the injector/ejector. See presentation.

Gino Nanninga, Positronics, reviewed the status of the power connector. He noted certain issues being address in PICMG 3.x that might be relevant to VITA 34. The group discussed the requirements. See Gino’s presentation.

*** BREAK

VITA 39, PCI-X on PMC

Mike Franco, Artesyn, reviewed the status of the VITA 39 effort and Tim Minnick, TYCO, presented the simulation studies done to date. The group discussed what other test cases needed to be run. VITA is funding the simulation effort. When completed, the simulation report will be provided to VITA member companies.

VITA 40, Status Indicator Standard

Craig Hartley, Sun, reviewed the goals of VITA 40 and the group discussed aspects of their experience with indicator lights. See Craig’s presentation. The initial draft will be made available shortly.

The meeting was adjourned at 5 PM.

Thursday, May 23, 2002

Elwood Parsons called the meeting to order at 8:30 am.

John Rynearson gave the European report for Hermann Strass, VITA Technical Coordinator. Hermann was not able to make the meeting, but is planning to attend the September meeting. See Hermann’s presentation and report. Hermann has been promoting VMEbus in the European press and has produced well over 39 A4 size pages of articles last year alone. Companies interested in participating in a VMEbus meeting at SPS/IPC/Drive, Nov 26-29, 2002 in Nuernberg should contact Hermann.

VITA 34, A New Framework

Bob Downing reviewed the goals for VITA 34 and circulated a sign-up sheet to reform the working group. See presentation.

VITA 41, VXS

The VITA 41 committee had a working group meeting. No one attended via teleconference. Steve Pavola reviewed the hot swap document and Larry Thompson reviewed the proposed test document for mil requirements for the multigig RT connector. Tim Minnick, Tyco, presented the test plan for VITA 41. Bob Tufford discussed what needed to be completed within the next three months and how the committee will address these issues. Mike Thompson noted some concern on the part of the membership regarding the “card edge-ness” of the multigig connector. Mike stressed the importance of Tyco addressing these concerns. Jim Fedder, Tyco, presented a which specifically discussed why the multigig RT connector did not have the same issues as standard edge cards connectors. See slide.

The VITA 41 working group was adjourned.

*** BREAK

Working Group Reports

VITA 1.5, 2eSST – Mac Rush and John Rynearson will work together to add the TI VMEbus chip reference to VITA 1.5 and then send it out for review.

VITA 2.1, Enhanced ETL Transceiver – John Rynearson noted that the working group had worked successfully with TI to produce a new high performance transceiver for the VMEbus. However, John questioned the need to complete VITA 2.1 as a formal standard. John noted that ANSI rules allowed footnote references to manufacturer parts so that the TI part could be referenced in other standards. After further discussion the VSO voted to table further work on VITA 2.1, to include references to the TI chip in standards where appropriate, and to thank the committee members and Manny Soltero and his TI colleagues for successfully completing this project.

VITA 17.1, Serial FPDP – Elwood Parsons reported on VITA 17.1 for Ron Tauton, Systran, who could not attend the Thursday session. Work on the draft continues and Ron plans to hold a working group ballot shortly.

VITA 30, 2mm Equipment Practice on Euroboard – Elwood will contact Mike Munroe to get the artwork that is need to complete this effort.

VITA 30.1, 2mm Equipment Practice on Conduction Cooled Euroboard – This standard has successfully completed its recirculation ballot. When the public review period is completed, the results will be submitted for ANSI approval.

VITA 31, Serial I/O on VME64x

VITA 31.1, Gigabit Ethernet on VME64x

During a recent working group ballot only several members returned ballots, therefore the working group will be reformed to determine the level of interest in these activities.

VITA 32, Processor PMC – A working group ballot is currently in progress. Members are urged to ballot.

VITA 34, A New Modular Framework – The working group will be revised.

VITA 36, PIM – Greg Novak will renew this effort when VITA 32 is completed.

VITA 38, System Management on VMEbus – The working group ballot was passed successfully and this effort will be moved to the ANSI canvass process.

VITA 39, PCI-X on PMC – Once the simulation is completed compliance requirements will be added to the draft standard and a working group ballot will be conducted.

VITA 40, Status Indicator Standard – The draft will be released soon and Craig plans on holding teleconference meetings.

VITA 41, VXS – VITA 41 will be submitted to a working group ballot in mid June with results to be discussed at the Vancouver meeting in July.

Future Meetings

The meetings for the rest of the year are on the VITA website. A schedule for 2003 will be reviewed at the July meeting. Tentative dates for the 2003 Bus&Board conference are January 19, 20, and 21 with the PICMG and VSO meetings being held on the 22 and the 23.

There being no other business the meeting was adjourned at 11:00 AM.

Submitted by

/s/ John Rynearson, VITA Secretariat