ARCNET Trade Association (ATA) Becoming Virtual Organization

The ARCNET Trade Association (ATA) is headed in a new direction so users of this technology can have timely information at their fingertips.

George Thomas, ATA Director and Contemporary Controls President, admits there has been a general move toward the ATA becoming a virtual organization—allowing users to tap into ARCNET technology through electronic means. "Gone are the days of formalized meetings on bylaws on other administrative issues," explains Thomas. "From our site, arcnet.com, customers will be able to access a vast breadth of information regarding an overview of the technology from ANSI/ATA standards to applications, navigating their way to exactly what they want and need at any particular point in time."

Thomas and other ATA directors believe it makes sense to institute a simple method for users to support ARCNET and exchange information within seconds, capitalizing on new ideas for new products and services for the world market.

ARCNET is an embedded networking technology well suited for real-time control applications in both the industrial and commercial marketplaces. ARCNET was originally developed by the Datapoint Corporation as a high-speed local area network (LAN) and is frequently found in office automation application. However, its proven design, robust performance and the availability of low-cost silicon have made it the network of choice between embedded microcontrollers.

The ATA was incorporated in the State of Illinois as a not-for-profit organization in August 1987 to provide a universal clearing house for information about ARCNET to any inquirer regardless of membership. Its mission has not changed over the years, but the means have. Today, the Internet provides the delivery mechanism of information.

ATA membership offers two categories of membership —Sponsoring Member and Member. A Sponsoring Member is an organization who will assume and share the costs in promoting and maintaining the ATA. Current Sponsoring Members are Contemporary Controls, Standard Microsystems Corporation (SMSC) and SMSC-Japan. A Member is any individual or organization who has a vested interest in ARCNET, and is willing to donate time and promote efforts to increase industry visibility and development of this widely installed technology.

In 1991, the ATA received accreditation by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as a standards developer using the canvass method. ANSI is the organization that administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment systems. The following year the ATA achieved approval of an American national standard that defines the basic ARCNET technology and recommends certain practices that increase reliability and interoperability. The ATA standards committee proposed a revision to the standard in 1999. Upon ANSI acceptance, ANSI/ATA 878.1-1999 Local Area Network: Token Bus was published.

The ARCNET e-mail list is a service provided by the ATA. It is open to all those interested in discussing ARCNET-related topics. These topics include ARCNET hardware, software, and applications, news, success stories, resources, etc. Any user may join the list by directly e-mailing Joanne Schmitz at jschmitz@qis.net.

With the sale of more than 10 million nodes of ARCNET across the continents, this technology is alive and well in the industry. The ATA will be able to remain a virtual organization and will strive to provide as much assistance as possible to allow users around the globe to work smarter and more efficiently in this technology.