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Section 2 - Overview of IrReady Program
The Big Picture
2.0IrReady Program Philosophy
The IrReady program’s purpose is to promote interoperability between IrDA-enabled devices. To do this, the IrReady program defines the minimum set of requirements (including physical, protocol, application-layer elements) that will lead to interoperability and an acceptable user experience. IrReady qualification is then awarded to devices that meet those standards. Someone purchasing a device with IrReady qualification should feel confident that the device will successfully interoperate with other IrReady devices in a consistent fashion.
2.1Key Elements of the Interop Plan
The key aspects of the IrDA Test Plan are summarized below. The rest of this document explains in more detail the implementation of these key elements.
2.1.1 Defining an adequate suite of tests to verify interoperability
It is important to have an agreed suite of tests that products can be tested to. These tests need to be repeatable as well as being relatively simple to perform. The idea is for the tests to be openly available to all IrDA members so product design teams will know how their products will be evaluated at the Test Labs.
These tests are meant to show, from an end-user’s perspective, that interoperability is possible and that the capability can be verified. Compliance with IrDA specifications is not the goal of these tests, although some assumptions are made as a result of achieving interoperability.
2.1.2 Identifying “Reference” products to simplify testing
The primary focus of the IrReady Program is to identify, qualify, and promote IrReady devices. IrReady tests are intentionally weaker than complete protocol and physical layer tests to allow the number of IrReady products to grow rapidly.
However, IrDA wishes to encourage full and complete physical, protocol, and application profile compliance tests. This is done by awarding “IrReady Reference” status to products that pass a more extensive degree of testing. IrReady Reference devices will often be used by IrReady Test Labs to test new candidates for IrReady.
2.1.3 Certifying independent IrReady Test Labs
Independent IrReady Test Labs will be approved by IrDA. IrReady Test Labs will need to be members of IrDA. The function of these Test Labs is to provide an independent assessment of the interoperability of an IrDA product. In addition, IrReady Test Labs may
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also provide services and consulting to resolve design problems when they occur. It is up to each Test Lab to set their fees for the services provided. Test Labs also have other responsibilities that will be described in Section 3.
Although it is not mandatory to send products to IrReady Test Labs, IrDA strongly recommends that this be done.
2.1.4 Introducing the IrDA “IrReady” designation for products that pass
Products that pass the Interoperability tests at the Test Labs will be designated as “IrReady”. This will be in the form of a certificate which entitles the manufacturer to use the IrDA “IrReady” designation anywhere on the product or documentation (including packaging) once the IrDA Trademark License Agreement is acquired. Only approved IrReady Test Labs will be authorized to award this certificate.
Products that are “self-tested” at manufacturer’s sites without being submitted to IrDA approved Test Labs will not be allowed to use this designation.
2.1.5 IrReady Usage Models
To attain high levels of interoperability, we must first describe the ideal user experience that an IrReady device should provide. This description is known as an “IrReady usage model”.
Each usage model identifies a specific class of IrDA data exchanges. When a device provides functionality that falls within an IrReady usage model, that functionality must be implemented in ways that are consistent with other IrReady devices in the same class. When a growing set of IrDA-enabled devices can be shown to interact with each other consistently and reliably, IrDA interoperability has been achieved within that usage model.
For example, the Point-and-Shoot Usage Model describes a point-to-point infrared data exchange of digital objects, such as pictures, business cards, and files. If a device can be used in this way, it is a potential candidate for approval as an IrReady Point-and-Shoot device.
2.1.6 IrReady Application Profiles
Behind each usage model stands an “IrReady application profile”. The application profile specifies the minimum technical requirements for a device that is to participate in an IrReady usage model. Typically, a usage model and its associated application profile are presented in the same document.
An application profile is free to require different features from different devices, consistent with the goals established by the usage model. For example, the vCard format might be required of devices that exchange and manage personal information, while the same functionality might not be required of a digital camera.
A device that correctly implements all features required by an application profile can be approved as an IrReady device by an IrReady Test Lab.
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2.1.7 Promoting IrDA “IrReady” products
One key benefit for a product to be “IrReady” is the recognition that it has passed the standard IrDA Interoperability tests by an independent IrReady Test Lab. (Note that “IrReady” products must also be “IrDA Compliant”, which is assumed but not explicitly tested in the Interop Test Procedures. It is the manufacturer’s responsibility to test for IrDA compliance by themselves or through a Test Lab.) IrDA will also recognize these products by publicizing them in a separate “IrReady” web page. This should be seen as a form of endorsement by IrDA and is expected to provide end users some kind of confidence in selecting these products.
It is also expected that all IrDA Officers, when in an official IrDA capacity, should refer to only products on this web page when the occasion arises. The goal is to provide as much IrDA PR benefits to these products as possible.
2.1.8 Formation of the IrDA Test Council
The Test Council is a working group within IrDA’s Test and Interop Committee, and plays an integral role within the IrReady program. The Test Council’s charter is to guide the implementation of the IrReady program. It has four specific responsibilities:
1)To agree on common test procedures amongst test labs to ensure consistent test results and reporting formats.
2)To review and vote on new Test Lab applications, and to conduct periodic audits of Test Labs.
3)To approve test plans and results as a final step before IrReady Qualification is awarded to a product.
4)To identify additional test specifications or guidelines necessary to allow the IrReady program to be implemented fairly and consistently.
The membership of the Test Council includes the Test and Interop Committee’s chairs and co-chairs as well as a representative from each active Test Lab. The chairperson of the Test and Interop Committee will automatically chair the Test Council.
Test Council members may be called upon to review test plans for devices that are not yet publicly announced. For this reason, council members may be required to sign NDA’s or other confidentiality agreements as determined by the IrDA or companies with product submissions. If a council member is unwilling to sign the necessary agreements and an acceptable compromise cannot be reached, the council member must abstain from any interactions regarding that product or manufacturer, without affecting the manufacturer’s ability to earn IrReady qualification or affecting the council member’s standing in the council.
If a representative of a particular Test Lab is present at less than 50% of all scheduled Test Council activities (including conference calls and face-to-face meetings), the chairperson of the Test Council may call for a vote of the Test Council to determine whether a representative of that Test Lab may continue to occupy a seat on the Test Council.
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