PCI SIG News Flash

[Richard Baek <rbaek@vtm-inc.com>]

PCI SIG NEWS FLASH 

Breaking news and updates via e-mail for PCI SIG members and friends.
Created by MacKenzie Kesselring, Inc.

STEERING COMMITTEE EXPLORES ENHANCED PCI POSSIBILITIES 

The PCI SIG Steering Committee has approved the formation of a workgroup to
explore various possibilities for a faster version of PCI Local Bus. The
workgroup will use as its initial input a recent proposal submitted to the
PCI SIG called PCI-X, a specification jointly developed by Compaq,
Hewlett-Packard and IBM. The proposed specification defines a 64-bit bus
that runs at speeds up to 133 MHz, and is designed to be backward-compatible
with current PCI-based systems. After a 45-day review cycle, the workgroup
will make a recommendation to the PCI SIG Steering Committee regarding the
proposal and the requirements needed for a faster PCI specification.  Based
on these recommendations, the PCI SIG Steering Committee may direct the
workgroup to continue its work to develop such a specification. If the
workgroup is directed as such, the development of the specification will
follow the PCI SIG's normal review and approval process as outlined in the
PCI SIG bylaws. 

STEERING COMMITTEE FORMS MINI PCI WORKGROUP

The PCI SIG Steering Committee has formed a workgroup to review Mini PCI, a
proposed specification to support integrated communications in small form
factor products, such as notebook computers and other mobile devices. Mini
PCI employs the same essential electronics, functionality, signals, and
software drivers of standard PCI expansion devices, and incorporates them
into a very small daughter card (as small as 2.75"by 1.81"by .22"). The
result is a cost-efficient way for manufacturers to integrate LAN, modems,
and other communications capabilities into notebook computers, docking
stations, printers, and other devices. The proposal was submitted to the PCI
SIG Steering Committee by the Mini PCI Roundtable, a group consisting of ten
prominent companies in the industry. After the proposal is reviewed by the
Mini PCI workgroup, it will go back to the Steering Committee and ultimately
to the PCI SIG membership for review. 

PCI COMPLIANCE WORKSHOP #16 COMES TO ASIA 

PCI Compliance Workshop #16 is scheduled for October 21-23 in Taipei,
Taiwan. Invitations have been sent out by mail and can also be downloaded
from the PCI SIG Web site  <http://www.pcisig.com> www.pcisig.com. The
registration deadline is October 8, 1998. Members with additional questions
about the workshop can contact Robert Lee at (503) 297-5090, via fax at
(503) 297-1090, or via e-mail  <mailto:rlee@vtm-inc.com> rlee@vtm-inc.com.

COMPUDEVCON '98 DEBUTS IN TAIWAN

A new conference for the developers and engineers will debut in Taipei,
Taiwan, on October 27-30, shortly following PCI Compliance Workshop #16.
CompuDevCon '98 (Computing Platform Developer's Conference) will feature
in-depth technical training and exhibitions, along with keynote
presentations by PCI SIG Chair Warren Questo; Patrick Gelsinger of Intel's
Business Platform Group; and Robert Jecmen of Intel's Mobile and Handheld
Products Group, etc.  CompuDevCon '98 is sponsored by the PCI SIG, along
with co-sponsors Intel Corp., Vital Technical Marketing, Inc., PC2
Consulting, Inc., DigiTimes Publication Inc., and others. For more
information about presenting, exhibiting, or attending the conference,
visit the CompuDevCon Web site www.compudevcon.com.

PCI SIG TO MEET WITH ASIAN PRESS

In coordination with Compliance Workshop #16 and CompuDevCon '98 in Taiwan,
the PCI SIG plans a series of press meetings to update the Asian press on
current PCI-related issues. Meetings will be headed by PCI SIG Chair Warren
Questo, who will update the Asian press on recent hot topics such as PCI
v2.2, Mini PCI, and PCI-X. The meetings are being arranged by MacKenzie
Kesselring, Inc., the PR firm handling the PCI SIG, and will be held in Hong
Kong and Taiwan. 

*** Visit the PCI SIG Web site www.pcisig.com <http://www.pcisig.com>  for
info on tech support, upcoming events, members-only data, and general
information. To subscribe to the Internet Mailing List (reflector) send an
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