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<p class=MsoNormal>CCSDS colleagues,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>My apologies for the long delay in providing you an update after
the Portsmouth meetings last month. There are a few noteworthy items to
report. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=Default style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>BOF
vs. SIG: there has long been a bit of confusion as to whether we were
operating in a BOF (Birds of a Feather) or SIG (Special Interest Group)
context. The CCSDS procedures manual has been recently updated and
although it is not yet formally released I did note that there now is a formal
definition of a SIG. I believe that it is relatively clear that as we are
not yet in the process of chartering a working group per se but rather still
trying to sort out how to define a reference architecture for CCSDS and that we
are at this time properly called a SIG. The pending updated
procedures manual has this to say:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=Default style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>“...<b>Special Interest Groups </b>(SIGs)
provide an ad-hoc forum for the discussion and coordination of topics that
affect multiple WGs. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><b>BIRDS-OF-A-FEATHER </b>groups <b>(BOFs)
</b>that perform start-up studies and gestate technical proposals to the point
where establishment of a Working Group may be decided…”<span
style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span
style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span
style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]>The CESG was briefed as to the progress/status
of the RA SIG and is currently working a couple of different action items. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;
mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:"Courier New"'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>o<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]>One of the action item is to produce an updated
set of viewpoints specifications. The connectivity view (RASDS) is to be
added. In addition to the set of concerns, modeling techniques, etc an
additional column for each viewpoint stating the viewpoint objects and their relationships
is also to be added (what this means exactly is currently in progress)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;
mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:"Courier New"'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>o<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>
</span></span></span><![endif]>Based on the updated set of viewpoint
specifications an example application with regards to ExoMars is being
considered.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>In general, not surprisingly, I believe there are still
concerns of proper formal definition of the CCSDS reference architecture versus
the need for quick solutions, etc. My take at this point is that the RA SIG is
still in business but that we are awaiting clarification from completion of CESG
action items. Please stay tuned.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Best regards,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>-Erik<o:p></o:p></p>
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