MPEG Standardisation Process
This is a summary of the process
described on the MPEG website.
New Proposal (NP)
Published standards are the last stage of a long process that
starts with the proposal of new work within a committee. These
proposals of work (NP = New Proposal) are approved at Subcommittee
and then at the Technical Committee level (SC29 and JTC1
respectively, in the case of MPEG). When the scope of new work has
been sufficiently clarified, MPEG usually makes open requests for
proposals.
Verification Model (VM)
Depending on the nature of the standard documents of different
nature may be produced. For Audio and Video coding standards the
first document that is produced is called a Verification Model
(VM). In MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 this was called Simulation and Test
Model, respectively. The VM describes, in some sort of programming
language, the operation of the encoder and the decoder. The VM is
used to carry out simulations to optimise the performance of the
coding scheme.
Working Draft (WD)
When MPEG has reached sufficient confidence in the stability of
the standard under development, a Working Draft (WD) is
produced. This is already in the form of a standard but is kept
internal to MPEG for revision.
Committee Draft (CD)
At the planned time the WD has become sufficiently solid and
becomes Committee Draft (CD). It is then sent to National Bodies
(NB) for ballot.
Final Committee Draft (FCD)
If the number of positive votes is above the quorum, the CD
becomes Final Committee Draft (FCD) and is again submitted to NBs
for the second ballot after a thorough review that may take into
account the comments issued by NBs.
Final Draft International Standard (FDIS)
If the number of positive votes is above the quorum the FCD
becomes Final Draft International Standard (FDIS). ISO will then
hold a yes/no ballot with National Bodies where no technical
changes are allowed.
International Standard (IS)
The document then becomes International Standard (IS).
Patent Policy
The ISO/IEC Information Technology Task Force (ITTF)
pursues a Patent
Policy. If a proposal is accepted on technical grounds, the
originator shall ask any holder of such identified patent rights
for a statement that the holder would be willing to negotiate
worldwide licences under his rights with applicants throughout the
world on reasonable and non-discriminatory terms and
conditions. Such negotiations are left to the parties concerned
and are performed outside ISO and/or IEC. A document shall not be
published until the statements of the holders of all identified
patent rights have been received, unless the council board
concerned gives authorization.
Last modified: Tue Oct 24 22:27:40 CEST 2006