Evaluation of test equipment for 1553B systems An independent investigation and evaluation of test equipment for MIL STD 1553B systems and components has been planned by ERA Technology. This standard was developed in the USA and is now in use as a major method of communication between embedded computer systems on military aircraft, missiles, naval vessels and military vehicles. The detailed appraisal of this equipment is a demanding, time consuming task but one that is necessary in order to satisfy the high
integrity requirements of 1553B systems and in order to justify the significant levels of investment involved. Such an appraisal is made more difficult by the need to relate the capabilities of test equipment to the requirements of various stages of a project, e.g. system definition and development, terminal design, system integration or production and in-service testing. Of further concern is the extent and frequency of calibration procedures and the need for validation and verification of test
Standard proposal for CD-ROM volume and file structure The CD-ROM ad hoc Advisory Committee has submitted a proposal for a Standard CD-ROM Volume and File Structure to official standards organizations for review and adoption. The proposed standard's recommendations are designed to augment the physical standard of the compact disc format set by Phillips and Sony by allowing interchangeability between discs containing various information content applications, CD-ROM drives and interfaces from various manufacturers, and popular computer operating systems. The CD-ROM ad hoc Advisory Committee, also known as the 'High Sierra Group' after the name of the hotel where they first met, has been working with various industry groups such as the European Optical Disc Forum for eight months to develop its recommendations. The High Sierra Group comprises manufacturers and software providers, mainly US firms involved in producing CD-ROM products and major computer and electronics firms such as DEC, Philips, Hitachi, MicroSoft, Apple and 3M. While many in the industry are
vol 9 no 5 october 1986
expected to use the proposal as a working standard, it must achieve official status from ISO. The proposal has been submitted to the European Computers Manufacturers Association in Geneva and the National Information Standards Organization in the USA. The Optical Disc Forum has received the 50 page proposal for evaluation and recommendation to its consistency with a working standard. The Forum is the result of an initiative taken by Learned
programs and equipment particularly in automatic protocol testing. ERA's investigation, which will be funded on a group-sponsored basis, is designed to provide test equipment users with information which will enable them to make highly informed decisions on the testing of 1553B systems and the equipment involved. The project will also be of great value to suppliers of test equipment who will benefit particularly from the interaction both with users and other suppliers at sponsor's meetings which are to be held regularly throughout the investigation. (ERA Technology Ltd, Cleeve Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 7SA, UK. Tek (0372) 374151, telex: 264045, fax: (0372) 374496) []
Information in 1985 to create a neutral meeting place where information publishers, and computer and optical disc software, hardware and systems vendors from throughout Europe can meet both to establish an industry focal point for the optical disk market and to learn at first hand of industry problems and developments in this area. With the support of the EEC, the Forum has established a technical committee to coordinate with the High Sierragroup it recommendations for the proposed standard. (Learned Information Ltd, Besselsleigh Road, Abingdon, Oxford OXI36LG, UK. (0865) 630275, telex: 837704) []
International financial secretariats reassigned APACS (Association for Payment Clearing Services) has taken over from BSI the responsibility for operating two major secretariats on behalf of ISO. These secretariats are for Banking Operations and Procedures, and Identification and Credit Cards. Both these committees were originally administered by BSl on behalf of the UK. BSI's inability to
continue to finance the operation of international secretariats (in the face of other higher priority standards making responsibilities) meant that the UK would have been compelled to serve notice to ISO, in Geneva, that it would discontinue to operate the secretariats. (APACS, Mercury House, Triton Court, 14 Finsbury Square, London EC2A IBR, UK. Tel: 01-628 7080, telex: 268885) []
267