Boca Raton, FL and Arlington, VA, March 13, 2003 -- ODVA and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) announced today that they have signed a Cooperation and Cross License Agreement for the purpose of building common industrial Ethernet specifications. To that end, ODVA and TIA will share information regarding standards that both groups are currently developing for the Ethernet physical layer.

"Ethernet has definitely blurred the line between the office and plant floor," said Dan Bart, senior vice president of standards and special projects for TIA. "Having a leading organization from each side working together is proof. This alliance is a big win for industrial Ethernet and its users."

"And it's an important step for both organizations because it demonstrates our leadership in the development of industrial Ethernet," said Katherine Voss, executive director of ODVA. "It shows a strong commitment to make sure the EtherNet/IP and TIA specifications are aligned."

Under the agreement, ODVA will provide EtherNet/IP information related to the physical-layer portions of the specification, installation requirements, and test procedures used to evaluate network performance. In turn, TIA will supply ODVA with details regarding standards being developed in various subcommittees of Engineering Committee TR-42 User Premises Telecommunications Infrastructure. These subcommittees include TR-42.5 Infrastructure Terms and Symbols, TR-42.7 Telecommunications Copper Cabling Systems, and TR-42.9 Industrial Telecommunications Infrastructure.

The two organizations plan to use this information to co-develop and drive physical-layer and installation standards for industrial Ethernet. Ultimately, the standards will help the combined vendor and user communities adopt Ethernet on the plant floor.