1. Identification of Proposed Project 1.1 Title: ATA Extensions 1.2 Proposer This project is proposed by the X3T9 Technical Committee. For additional information, please contact John B. Lohmeyer, X3T9.2 Chairman, at NCR Corporation, 3718 N. Rock Rd., Wichita, KS 67226 (Phone: 316-636-8703 FAX: 316-636-8889) or Dal Allan, X3T9.2 Vice-Chairman at ENDL, 14426 Black Walnut Ct, Saratoga, CA 95070 (Phone: 408-867-6630 Fax: 408-867-2115). 1.3 Date Submitted: August 23, 1991 1.4 Project Type: Development 2. Justification of Proposed Standard or Technical Report 2.1 Needs The draft standard for AT Attachment has been completed, but as the popularity of the interface has increased, its application area has grown outside the originally intended purpose of direct attachment of small disk drives to desktop computers. The ATA Extensions are intended to broaden the scope and application area and take advantage of the huge installed BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) base, and software. 2.2 Recommended Scope of Standard or Technical Report The proposed ATA Extensions standard shall maintain a high degree of compatibility with the AT Attachment while providing documentation for new capabilities including the following candidates: a) Provide a means to support the AT Attachment protocol on other physical interfaces such as that for the newly-emerging requirments for memory cards. b) Other capabilities which fit within the general scope of implementing the AT Attachment Interface on a broader range of applications. This proposed standard is not intended to require changes to presently installed devices or existing software. It is intended that this proposed standard would be used to provide additional capabiltities. 2.3 Existing Practice in Area of Proposed Standard or Technical Report The proposed project involves evolutionary expansion of the draft AT Attachment standard to provide additional capabilities. 2.4 Expected Stability of Proposed Standard or Technical Report with Respect to Current and Potential Technological Advance The nature of the proposed project is to insure that the AT Attachment has an upward, highly compatible growth path. This will insure that current investments in AT Attachment are provided with more stability in the face of technological developments. 3. Description of Proposed Project 3.1 Type of Document (Standard or Technical Report): Standard 3.2 Definition of Concepts and Special Terms (if any): none 3.3 Expected Relationship with Approved X3 Reference Models (e.g., DBMS, OSI) The ATA Extensions standard is for use in closed systems. 3.4 Recommended Program of Work The following program of work is planned for the ATA Extensions standard: o Solicit continuing participation by the present AT Attachment participants through X3T9.2 procedures and new participants through press releases. Invite comments by end-user organizations and invite proposals from organizations that may have a contribution to a viable ATA Extensions standard. o Establish functional requirements for ATA Extensions functional additions along with downward compatibility requirements. o Prepare a draft standard based on proposals submitted and other information gathered during the initial investigation. o Consider the results of ATA Extensions testing as may be available to the committee through the voluntary efforts of the various participants in X3T9 and its assigned task group. o Submit the draft proposed standard to X3 for further processing. 3.5 Resources - Individuals and Organizations Competent in Subject Matter The current membership of X3T9.2 includes representatives from all parts of the computer industry from semiconductor chip manufacturers to large mainframe system manufacturers as well as Government agencies. The members of X3T9.2 have expressed their desire to participate and cooperate in the development of this proposed standard. There are sufficient resources to complete the development of this standard without delaying work on other standards. 3.6 Recommended X3 Development Technical Committees (Existing or New) It is recommended that the development work be done in task group X3T9.2 which was responsible for developing the draft AT Attachment standard. 3.7 Anticipated Frequency and Duration of Meetings Task group X3T9.2 meets for two days bi-monthly. Specific task ad hoc groups are called as may be required for one to three days between the regular meetings but their results are not binding. 3.8 Target Date for dpANS to X3 (Milestone 10): December 1992 3.9 Estimated Useful Life of Standard or Technical Report It is anticipated that this standard will have a life of over 10 years. 4. Implementation Impacts 4.1 Impact on Existing User Practices and Investments The proposed ATA Extensions standard will provide an upward growth path complementary to the existing practices and investments. It is likely that any isolated negative impacts would occur in any case through non-standard evolution or revolution. 4.2 Impact on Supplier Products and Support The proposed ATA Extensions standard will provide an upward growth path complementary to the existing practices and investments. It is likely that any isolated negative impacts would occur in any case through non-standard evolution or revolution. 4.3 Techniques and Costs for Compliance Verification The committee will consider the results of ATA Extensions testing as may be available to the committee through the voluntary efforts of the various participants in X3T9 and its assigned task group. With this method all costs are borne by the organizations of the various participants and have for the most part been mainly an adjunct of their normal development costs. 4.4 Legal Considerations No new legal considerations are expected that are not already attendant with AT Attachment and in accordance with accepted X3 patent policies. 5. Closely Related Standards Activities 5.1 Existing Standards: none 5.2 X3 Standards Development Projects X3T9.2/90-143 AT Attachment Interface 5.3 X3/SPARC Study Groups: none 5.4 Other Related Domestic Standards Efforts: none 5.5 ISO Standards Development Projects It is anticipated that this standard will be proposed to JTC1/SC25/WG4. 5.6 Other Related International Standards Development Projects: none 5.7 Recommendations for Coordinating Liaison: none 5.8 Recommendations for Close Liaison: none