Foreword
The publication of this specification marks yet another step in months of invention, discussion, argument, and consensus. This document is the product of the effort of many individuals and the contribution of considerable resources. To that end, every person who was involved at any point along the way should take pride in the existence of this Si2 specification.
The first ECIX specification to be developed was the Pinnacles Component Information Standard (PCIS), which was accomplished under the coordination of the Pinnacles Group, with members from several electronic component manufacturers who joined together to create a technical information exchange standard for use by the electronics industry. These original member companies have all been active members of the Si2 PCIS Working Group (WG), and it was in conjunction with Si2 (then the CAD Framework Initiative, Inc) activities that the original concept of the PCIS was developed. The original work of Hitachi America Limited, Intel, National Semiconductor, Philips Semiconductors, and Texas Instruments was extended when Hewlett-Packard, IBM Microelectronics, and Lucent Technologies joined the effort. Representatives of Hewlett-Packard, Hitachi, IBM, Intel, Lucent, Motorola, Philips, and TI currently serve as members of the Si2 ECIX Council.
The PCIS 1.2 became a part of the CENELEC TC 217 WB 4 and is now a CENELEC Standard (Nos. ENV 50247-2, ENV 50247-1, R217-015, R217-015). Future ECIX specifications will be submitted to CENELEC, en route to target IEC standards.
Other ECIX specifications have since been developed under the auspices of the ECIX Project. The Component Information Dictionary Specification (CIDS) provides the structure for dictionary content, such as the IEC 61360 and the JEDEC dictionaries. Dictionaries marked up in CIDS format can be used during interchange to define electronic parameters and terms in a variety of component information exchange applications (e.g., datasheets, queries, responses).
The Timing Diagram Markup Language (TDML) Specification allows the exchange of interactive timing diagram information in a standard form. This standard form promotes the sharing and interchange of information between different organizations and allows interested parties to develop tools for generating, editing, analyzing, and browsing these diagrams.
The publication of the ECIX QuickData Specifications represents another in a series of milestones in the maturation of the electronic computer-aided design industry. The Si2 membership and the industry have demonstrated again that there are areas of common agreement in the architecture, construction, and delivery of electronic product design systems information. These specifications will be extended into additional areas as ECIX continues to evolve to meet industry requirements.
Si2 invites interested parties to provide input into the development of ECIX through active participation in the various ECIX Working Groups, and in other Si2 projects where appropriate. For membership information, contact Si2 Member services at http://www.si2.org/ecix.
Si2 continues as a leading contributor to standards for the EDA industry with actively participating companies and many individual contributors. Member companies continue to work together to solve design system interoperability problems in areas where a common solution is recognized as being the most effective approach. Projects such as the ECIX Project are contributing important open solutions to key industry problems. As we move forward into new releases of this and other Si2 specifications, the importance will become registered in larger and larger circles within the industry.