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OpenFPGA Steering Group Meeting - March 29, 2005

The first post to the OpenFPGA mailing list regarding developments around OpenFPGA is a summary of the first steering group discussion.
Stay tuned for specific requests for input posted to this mailing list.

Meeting summary follows:

The initial call-in meeting of the OpenFPGA steering group was held on March 29, 2005. Organizations represented in the meeting included:

The Ohio Supercomputer Center, Silicon Graphics, NCI Advanced Biomedical Computing Center, Cray Inc, Nallatech, NIST, University of Cincinnati, NASA, NCSA, Starbridge Systems, GE Research, University of Toledo and Koan Corporation.

The meeting objectives were:

• to complete the introductions of the steering group, and
• to gather input on specific objectives and potential organizational structures for OpenFPGA.org

The steering group introductions represented a broad spectrum of needs and including integrating FPGAs into systems, building system level tools and debugging tools, applications for biochemical applications, delivering solutions, artificial intelligence for FPGAs, parallel computing, FPGAs in spacecraft, hardware providers, engineering applications such as CFD, education, and systems for managing FPGA environments.

Several needs were frequently reiterated through the discussion:

1. Need for descriptions of successful returns on investment for reconfigurable computing solutions
2. Need to get the message out that reconfigurable computing is a viable solution option for applications
3. A need to standardize more effectively across APIs (for portability of applications and tools) and for benchmarking (for performance
   comparisons)

Options for organizational structures were discussed. Ad hoc, executive committee and other options were discussed.

A common understanding was expressed that any fee structure would be tiered to keep the organization readily accessible to academic participation.

The steering group was eager to have participation from the broader community in the efforts to develop OpenFPGA.org. An OpenFPGA specific interest survey will be sent as a separate message which will at least include the following:

Which of the following areas are of high interest to you?

1. Marketing of reconfigurable computing solutions
2. Education
3. Promotion of OpenFPGA.org
4. Benchmarking
5. Standards and Portability
6. Tools Development
7. Liaisons to other FPGA organizations

Which of the following areas would you be interested in assisting OpenFPGA.org?

1. Marketing of reconfigurable computing solutions
2. Education
3. Promotion of OpenFPGA.org
4. Benchmarking
5. Standards and Portability
6. Tools Development
7. Liaison to other FPGA organizations