[Css-csts] Required version of SFW for CSTSes

[John Pietras]

CSTSWG colleagues ---
At the spring workshop we discussed the misleading nature of the CCSDS-standard "boilerplate" text for the (normative) References subsection of section 1, which reads:
"The following publications contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of this document.  At the time of publication, the editions indicated were valid.  All publications are subject to revision, and users of this document are encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the most recent editions of the publications indicated below.  The CCSDS Secretariat maintains a register of currently valid CCSDS publications."

The problem with this text is that it implies that if a later version of a the CSTS SFW (the most important of the referenced documents), an implementer may attempt to use that later version. But a given version (issue) of a CSTS Blue Book may use only the specific version of the SAFW upon which that version of the CSTS was developed. This is a concern for all CSTSes, not just Forward Frame.

As part of the resolution of pseudo-RID JP-7 (Require Specific Issue of the SFW) I have modified the boilerplate text in an attempt to make this point. I see that Wolfgang has taken an action to produce similar text for the TD-book - I don't know if he has done anything about this yet.

Obviously we should use the same modified boilerplate in all CSTS books (another Guideline! :-) ). Here is what I have written as a starting point. I am not strongly attached to it and would welcome any improvements [modifications are in red]:
"The following publications contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of this document.  At the time of publication, the editions indicated were valid.  It is important to note that the edition of the Cross Support Transfer Service-Specification Framework that is named in reference [1] is the only edition that can be used as a source of requirements for this edition of the Forward Frame service Recommended Standard. All other publications in the list are subject to revision, and users of this document are encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the most recent editions of the publications (other than the Specification Framework) indicated below.  The CCSDS Secretariat maintains a register of currently valid CCSDS publications."

Best regards,
John
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