Special Interest Group (SIG) Formed to Drive the Second Wave of The
VME Renaissance
SAN FRANCISCO, March 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Embedded Systems
Conference -- Motorola Computer Group, a part of Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT)
and VMEbus technology leader, today announced the finalization of a proposal
for VXS, the VMEbus Switched Serial Standard. Motorola together with key
industry players including: Mercury Computer Systems (Nasdaq: MRCY), Mitre,
Pentair (NYSE: PNR), SKY Computers, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALOG), and Tyco Electronics
(NYSE: TYC) formed a SIG to frame the proposal, which will be submitted for
review to the VSO, the VITA standards body, on March 20, 2002.
The proposal elements are intended to provide increased bandwidth on a
VMEbus platform where both the parallel bus and switched serial fabric will
coexist at the same time. This will allow customers to develop products
incorporating switched serial fabrics while enjoying the stability and legacy
ecosystem of the VME parallel bus.
"The VXS proposal, using VME as a tried and true backbone, brings security
into the morass of proprietary and pseudo-proprietary fabric implementations
now clouding the market," said Ray Alderman, executive director, VITA.
Key benefits and elements of the proposed standards include:
-- The addition of a switched-serial interconnect to VMEbus coincident
with the VMEbus parallel bus, which is accomplished by adding a new
P0 connector for passing the high speed signals.
-- The accommodation of multiple open standard technologies for the
links, but not necessarily at the same time. Initially there are
proposals for both Infiniband(TM) and Serial RapidIO link
technologies. Proposal numbers for 10 gigabit Ethernet and 3GIO link
technologies are also reserved. Further link technology
specifications may be added without changing the base specification.
-- Backward compatibility with the VMEbus ecosystem, in that the
traditional 6U high, 160mm, Eurocard form factor is maintained. Most
existing VMEbus cards can plug into the proposed VXS backplane.
-- The ability to bring double the DC power onto each VMEbus card, which
is accomplished by pulling additional current through the existing
power pins on the existing P1 and P2 5-row connectors.
"The proposal is the next step in the VME Renaissance and reflects
Motorola's continued commitment to the VMEbus technology," said Dr. Jeffrey
Harris, director of research and system architecture, Motorola Computer Group.
"VXS strengthens our strategy because it will carry VME well into the future."
VXS Special Interest Group Members:
Pentair
"We are pleased to be a member of the VXS SIG, and to participate in the
development of this proposal. The increased performance of new VMEbus
products provided to our customers, as outlined in the proposal, will
help to extend the life of VMEbus technology," said John Abbott,
president of Pentair Electronic Packaging.
Mercury Computer Systems
"Mercury recognizes that VME is a crucial industry standard with
significant investment behind it," explained Richard Jaenicke, director
of product marketing, Mercury Computer Systems. "The VXS enhancements
bring the next generation of COTS innovations to VME, thus demonstrating
that VME remains an ideal platform for applications with long life
cycles."
SKY Computers, Inc.
"VME is a key requirement in the military/defense business where SKY
Computers continues to focus our products and technologies. SKY is an
active member of the VXS SIG and will participate in the proposal that
will provide our customers with the increased performance that will
extend the future of the VMEbus technology," said Mark Pacelle, vice
president of marketing, SKY Computers, Inc.
Tyco Electronics
"Tyco Electronics is pleased to participate as a member of the SIG to
provide next generation connectors for the industry. Together with the
other key industry members, we are providing the enabling connector
technology to extend the life of VME," said Bob Atkinson, business
development manager, Tyco Electronics.
About Motorola
Motorola Computer Group is a business unit of the Motorola Integrated
Electronic Systems Sector (IESS). It is the world's leading supplier of
embedded computing platforms for equipment manufacturers in
telecommunications, network storage, imaging, medical equipment and
semiconductor production and test equipment industries, with core competencies
in services and training, design, manufacturing and systems integration
capabilities. IESS is a leading provider of advanced electronic products and
systems for customers integrating electronics into their products. Motorola
IESS solutions provide the brains that make electronic systems simpler, safer,
smarter and more synchronized. http://www.motorola.com/computer .
Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) is a global leader in providing integrated
communications solutions and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 2001
were $30 billion. http://www.motorola.com .
MOTOROLA, the Stylized M Logo are registered in the US Patent & Trademark
Office. All other product or service names are property of their respective
owners.
SOURCE Motorola Computer Group
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CONTACT:
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