PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group re-energizes with next-generation telecommunications initiative

JANUARY 24--The PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group (PICMG; Wakefield, MA; www.picmg.org), a consortium of computer-product vendors dedicated to the creation of open industry standards, has announced development of a new series of specifications, called AdvancedTCA, for next-generation telecommunications equipment, with a new form factor and based on switched fabric architectures. PICMG members have responded with a high level of enthusiasm, with at least 70 companies registered to participate in one or more of the four technical subcommittees now getting underway.

Founded in 1994, PICMG is a consortium of more than 600 companies that collaboratively develop open specifications for high-performance telecommunications and industrial computing applications. PICMG developed the CompactPCI specification and continues to develop important extensions and improvements.