March 24-25, 2004
Holiday Inn Select Ð Orlando, Florida
The meeting was called to order by Elwood Parsons at 8:30 AM and members were asked to introduce themselves. The agenda was reviewed and several changes were made. Elwood brought to members attention an article regarding a Lemelson machine vision patent that was ruled unenforceable. See attachment.
Elections for chair and vice chair of the VSO were held. John Rynearson announced the nominations by the nominations committee: Elwood Parsons for chair and Mike Thompson for vice-chair. Nominations were solicited from the floor. No one was nominated. A motion was made and seconded to accept Elwood and Mike as chair and vice chair respectively for the next year. The motion passed.
John presented information on an SBIR (Small Business Innovative Research) grant related to VME that has been received by Joerger Enterprises. Joerger is soliciting input for their proposal. See the following URL under ÒWhatÕs NewÓ for more information: http://www.joergerinc.com.
Provide feedback via email to: Fred Joerger <joerger@joergerinc.com>
John noted that an IEEE 802 study group is looking at developing a standand for 10gbit ethernet over a backplane. See the following URL for more info:
http://www.ieee802.org/3/bladesg/
John presented the VSO and ANSI patent policies. See presentation. Doug Patterson, Vista Controls, asked a number of questions related to RAND (reasonable and non discriminatory) requirements. Patented technology can be part of a standard. If that patented technology is required for compliance to the standard, then is must be available under RAND terms.
John asked for patent disclosures. Randy Banton, Mercury Computers, noted that his company had proposed patents on technology that was being discussed in VITA 48, ERDI. Randy noted that he was in the process of determining how the proposed patents would impact the proposed standard and what parts might be required by the standard.
John gave the standards update. See presentation. Several standards are up for review: ANSI/VITA 5.1, Raceway Interlink, ANSI/VITA 17, FPDP, ANSI/VITA 19.1, and 19.2, Busnet, and ANSI/VITA 23, VME Physics. Doug Paterson made a motion to withdraw ANSI/VITA 5.1 because he felt it violated RAND requirements. The motion was seconded. Several members stated that they felt that no patented technology is required for compliance with 5.1. After more discussion the membership voted against the motion to withdraw ANSI/VITA 5.1. A motion to reaffirm ANSI/VITA 5.1 was made and seconded and was pass upon voice vote.
Dick Somes, Force Computers, asked for more time before deciding whether or not to reaffirm ANSI/VITA 19.1 and 19.2. A motion was made and seconded to reaffirm ANSI/VITA 17 and ANSI/VITA 23. The motion passed.
John presented the VSO PP and ANSI/VITA Ballot process to the members. Several changes that Ray Alderman had requested were discussed and included in the drafts. After further discussion, the membership by voice vote approved both the VSO PP and the ANSI/VITA Ballot process. The VSO PP goes into effect immediately. The ANSI/VITA process will be submitted to ANSI for their review and approval.
*** BREAK ***
ANSI/VITA 1.1R Ð 7 Row DIN Connector Proposal
Ed Garstkiewicz, Harting, presented HartingÕs concept for a 7 row DIN connecter that would be compatible with current 3 and 5 row DIN connectors. See presentation.
John Rynearson discussed the survey that would be sent out to determine interest in the connector. The survey will be sent out within two weeks. All responses should be sent to John Rynearson. Information will be complied and summarized. Individual company information will not be disclosed.
VITA 41, VXS
Bob Tufford, Motorola, reported on the status of VITA 41. See presentation. Jim Fedder, Tyco, gave a presentation on signal routing and connector electrical characteristics for the 7 row Multigig RT-2. See presentation. Jim also discussed two concepts for accomidating rear transition modules: see concept-a and concept-b. One of the members noted that Teradyne patent number 4,686,607, issued in 1987, discusses a method of placing connectors on the rear of a backplane by utilizing the front connector pin vias. Another member noted that several patents exist that are believed to demonstrate prior art to this patent, that this technique is commonly used in the marketplace, and that no one is aware of any effort by Teradyne to enforce this patent. The patent will expire in 2006.
*** LUNCH ***
VITA 42, XMC
Greg Novak, Motorola, reported on the status of VITA 42.0. The working group is seeking input from the PCI Express group in PICMG. After their input, a working group ballot will be held. Greg also discussed interest in a VITA 42.10 draft standard that would document pin assignments.
VITA 46
John Wemekamp, Dy4, reported on the status of VITA 46. See presentation.
VITA 42 XMC Yell
Greg Novak led the group in the VITA 42, XMC yell. ( Why Greg did this is outside the scope of these minutes. Those interested should drop Greg an email and get the full story.)
VITA 46, Other Requirements
Jim Robles, Boeing, reported on the status of VITA 47. See presentation.
VITA 48, ERDI
Randy Banton, Mercury Computer, reported on the status of ERDI. See presentation.
PMC Connector Fretting Corrosion
Ivan Straznicky, Dy4, gave a report on PMC connector fretting corrosion. See report. Ivan recommend several changes to ANSI/VITA 20. A signup list was circulated to start a working group to revise ANSI/VITA 20.
The VSO meeting was adjourned at 2:45 PM for two scheduled working group meetings: VITA 46 and VITA 47.
Thursday, March 24, 2004
Elwood called the meeting to order at 8:35 AM. John Rynearson asked working groups to consider using the rules, recommendations, suggestions, permissions, and observations paradigm when writing their standards. This paradigm is not a VSO or ANSI requirement, but does provide a good structure for developing interoperable standards.
Summary reports were given for the following standards.
VITA 1.1 Revisions Ð The survey will be sent out.
VITA 17.2 Ð A preliminary meeting was held to start this effort.
VITA 34 Ð Frank Hom and Bob Downing plan to report on this effort at the May VSO meeting.
VITA 41 Ð A mechanical interoperability workshop will be held in the afternoon.
VITA 41 on 9U Ð no report
VITA 46 Ð The goal is to have the first draft ready for review by July.
VITA 47 Ð The initial draft is being prepared for review.
VITA 48 Ð The initial draft will be refined for the May meeting.
John reviewed future meetings. See VITA website for details.
The meeting was adjourned.
Submitted by
/s/ John Rynearson, VITA Secretariat