The following historical references cover information about the background of the FDSN.
Berry, M. (1988). The Federation of Digital Seismographic Networks, in Proceedings of a workshop on Downhole Seismometers in the Deep Ocean at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. (pdf)
Romanowicz, B. and A.M. Dziewonski (1987). Global digital seismographic network: research opportunities and recent initiatives, in Composition, Structure and Dynamics of the Lithosphere-asthenosphere system, C. Fuchs , C. Froidevaux Eds., A.G.U., Public., Geodynamics series, VOl. 16, 99-110. (pdf)
Romanowicz, B. (1990). The Federation of Digital Broad Band Seismic Networks. (pdf)