XAUI summary from Plenary
Several active XAUI participants were not able to attend the Plenary meeting
last week. Here is a brief summary of events with a focus on XAUI.
* The draft standard was unanimously approved for 802.3 Working Group
ballot. This indicates that the attendees believed the draft is "technically
complete", meaning that further technical refinements are anticipated but
there are no known technical holes or insurmountable barriers. W.G. ballot
is scheduled to begin on April 6 and end May 11.
* The XAUI signal detect issue was unanimously resolved: There is no
additional signal_detect pin or mandatory loss-of-signal detection on the
XAUI. This was the only change to clause 47 in going from D2.2 to D2.3. (The
D2.3 draft now available to task force members on the web site.)
* The XAUI jitter methodology was discussed in detail and given a vote
of confidence. Annex 48B was approved describing this methodology. (Note 1)
* The compliance channel group delay spec appears "broken". There is
some work in progress toward a solution. (Note 1)
* There are numerous "smaller" technical spec's that need refinement.
Proposed solutions for these and other issues are appropriate for the
upcoming Working Group ballot. (Note 1)
Note 1: Presentations are expected to be posted to the XAUI web site by next
week.
I may not be able to answer all questions that arise from those who were
unable to attend. Please send any questions to this reflector and address
them to the XAUI subtask force at large. Any attendee can then feel free to
reply.
-Dawson Kesling
IEEE 802.3ae Clause 47 (XAUI) Editor