VSO ANSI accreditation
Accredited as a Standards Development Organization (SDO) in June 1993 by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the VITA Standards Organization (VSO) meets every two months to address vital embedded bus and board industry standards issues. Information on ANSI/VITA standards is available on the VITA website at www.vita.com.
VSO study and working group activities
Standards within the VSO may be initiated by a study group and developed by a working group. A study group requires the sponsorship of only one VSO member and is used to build interest in a standard. A working group requires the sponsorship of at least three VITA members, and the proposed work must fit within the defined scope of VITA’s accreditation with ANSI.
VITA 17.2 – Serial Front Panel Data Port (SFPDP) Channel Bonded Protocol
Objective
Increase the bandwidth for FPDP to include data rates of 2.5, 3.125, 4.25, and 6.25 and provide channel bonding for 2x, 4x, 6x, 8x, and 12x lanes
Status
Janusz Kossek, Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing (CWCEC), announced that Ralph Barrera, also of CWCEC, will be returning as chair, and Dean Holman has agreed to be the editor. The working group is reviewing the electrical link specification and has started work on an optical link specification.
VITA 41.6 – VXS 1X GbE Control Channel Layer Standard
Objective
To define and assign 1X GbE signals for communication over signal sets currently defined as reserved for future use in VXS.0.
Status
Because VITA 41.6 had completed its ANSI ballot – with 79 percent approval of total ballot and 83 percent of ballots returned – the working group now plans to review ballot comments and revise the draft as required.
VITA 42 – XMC
Objective
Extend PMC to include serial fabrics.
Status
42.0 has undergone a period as a trial use standard and then was submitted to an ANSI ballot. The ballot failed due to lack of participation and several negative ballots. After careful consideration of the negative ballots and a review of the current ecosystem for 42.0, the working group has decided to hold a recirculation ballot. The draft has been updated and the recirculation ballot will begin in mid February.
VITA 46 – VPX
Objective
Develop a 3U/6U 160 mm deep Eurocard module with a high-density and high-performance connector capable of supporting both parallel and serial fabrics.
Status
Both 46.0 and 46.1 have been recognized as American National Standards and are available from the VITA office. Also, the VITA 46 working group is continuing work on additional proposed standards in the 46 family, including 46.3 – Serial RapidIO on VPX, 46.4 – PCI Express on VPX, 46.7 – Ethernet on VPX, 46.12 – Fiber Optics on VPX, and 46.20 – Switch Slot Definition on VPX. The working group is reviewing proposals for optical connectors for 46.12. The group hopes to make a decision in March after evaluating final proposals.
VITA 47r2 – Revisions to ANSI/VITA 47, Environmental Requirements
Objective
Add new requirements for EMI/EMC classification of plug-in units.
Status
47r2 will add a requirement for EMI/EMC classification. The classification will be based on IEEE PAR-1688, which is in development. This classification will be independent of the environmental classification in the current ANSI-recognized standard. The working group has just begun this effort and is determining how best to incorporate it into ANSI/VITA 47.
VITA 48 – Ruggedized Enhanced Design Implementation (REDI)
Objective
Define a general mechanical design implementation for circuit card assemblies that will enhance both their thermal performance and structural integrity.
Status
Working group ballots for 48.0, 48.1, and 48.2 have been completed. At the January VSO meeting, the working group voted to move these drafts into the ANSI process. Anyone with a direct and material interest in these drafts may contact the VITA technical director and ask to become part of the ANSI balloting group.
VITA 49 – VRT
Objective
Develop a packet-based protocol for the digital transmission of radio signals to simplify IF distribution.
Status
The working group has completed working group ballots for 49.0 and 49.1, and the drafts have been revised. The group is considering collaborating with the SDR Forum to develop an API.
VITA 51 – Reliability Prediction
Objective
Develop a better method for predicting electronic module reliability.
Status
VITA 51.0 and 51.1 have completed their first round of ANSI balloting. Both drafts passed. The working group has reviewed many of the comments. After completion of final ballot review and draft update, a recirculation ballot is scheduled for the end of February.
PDF – This column and the accompanying table are available at www.vmecritical.com/columns/vitastandards.
For more information, e-mail John at [email protected].