IEEE takes over work on embedded debug interface

The Global Embedded Processor Debug Interface Standard Consortium (Piscataway, N.J.) has become a program of the IEEE Industry Standards and Technology Organization (IEEE-ISTO). The group, code-named the Nexus Project at its inception, is changing its formal name to the 5001 Forum and will continue its efforts to advance the development, dissemination and implementation of the Global Embedded Processor Debug Interface Standard (Gepdis).

Coming to the Web

Engineering manager Ron Stence at Motorola Inc.'s Transportation Systems Group said the name change reflects the submission of Version 1.0 of the standard to IEEE-ISTO for publication, distribution and future management. Reflecting its new status, the standard will be known as IEEE-ISTO 5001-1999. It is expected to be available soon for free download from the IEEE-ISTO Web site (www.ieee.org/organizations/ieee-isto.html) and will be distributed as IEEE-ISTO's first standard.

"The move to IEEE-ISTO helps to ensure an open implementation of the standard," Stence said.

The group was formed in April 1998 to define and develop a much-needed embedded processor debug interface standard for embedded control applications. As advances in semiconductor and system design continue, embedded apps are using higher-performance processors.

According to Stence, although the effort initially focused on the stringent requirements of automotive power-train applications, the group aims to develop a general-purpose standard encompassing all industries. Areas that could benefit from the standard interface include data communications and computer peripherals and wireless systems.

Current member companies of the 5001 Forum include founding members ETAS Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co., Hitachi Semiconductor (America) Inc., Infineon Technologies and Motorola Inc., as well as Applied Dynamics International, Applied Microsystems Corp., Ashling Microsystems Ltd., Diab-SDS, Digital Logic Instruments, Green Hills Software Inc., Macgraigor Systems L.L.C., Metrowerks Corp., Mitsubishi Electric Corp., Nohau Corp., Noral Micrologics, Tektronix Inc. and Yokogawa Digital Computer Corp.