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1394: Definition and Recommended Links

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The IEEE 1394 interface (although the 1394 standard also defines a backplane interface) is a serial bus interface standard, for high-speed communications and isochronous real-time data transfer, frequently used in a personal computer (and digital audio and digital video). The interface is also known by the brand names of FireWire (Apple's name) and i.LINK (Sony's name).

FireWire has replaced Parallel SCSI in many applications, due to lower implementation costs and a simplified, more adaptable cabling system. IEEE 1394 has been adopted as the High Definition Audio-Video Network Alliance (HANA) standard connection interface for A/V (audio/visual) component communication and control[1]. FireWire is also available in wireless, fiber optic, and coaxial versions using the isochronous protocols.

Almost all modern digital camcorders have included this connection since 1995, as do the vast majority of high end professional audio interfaces. Since 2003 many computers intended for home or professional audio/video use have built-in FireWire/i.LINK ports, including all Sony computers, all but one of Apple's computers (the new MacBook Air), and many of its older iPods. It is also available on many retail motherboards.

Source: Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FireWire).

other great electronics sites:ee toolbox site

• • 1394
    • The IEEE 1394 interface (although the 1394 standard also defines a backplane interface) is a serial bus interface standard, for high-speed communications and isochronous real-time data transfer, frequently used in a personal computer (and digital audio and digital video). The interface is also known by the brand names of FireWire (Apple's name) and i.LINK (Sony's name).

      FireWire has replaced Parallel SCSI in many applications, due to lower implementation costs and a simplified, more adaptable cabling system. IEEE 1394 has been adopted as the High Definition Audio-Video Network Alliance (HANA) standard connection interface for A/V (audio/visual) component communication and control[1]. FireWire is also available in wireless, fiber optic, and coaxial versions using the isochronous protocols.

      Almost all modern digital camcorders have included this connection since 1995, as do the vast majority of high end professional audio interfaces. Since 2003 many computers intended for home or professional audio/video use have built-in FireWire/i.LINK ports, including all Sony computers, all but one of Apple's computers (the new MacBook Air), and many of its older iPods. It is also available on many retail motherboards.

      Source: Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FireWire).

      (Note: The Electronic Engineers Toolbox provides an alternative set of featured links for this word at http://www.cera2.com/1394.htm)

      Featured Links:

      Microsoft 1394 Design Guide

      A driver for a device that connects to the IEEE 1394 bus sits on top of the IEEE 1394 driver stack. The driver communicates to the device by sending IRPs to the IEEE 1394 bus driver, which the operating system provides as 1394bus.sys. The bus driver provides a hardware-independent interface to the IEEE 1394 bus. The bus driver handles some IRPs, and forwards some to the port driver for the motherboard's host controller. Microsoft provides a...
      http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/ms789422.aspx

      ADLINK Introduces 2-CH PCI Express® IEEE 1394.b Frame Grabber

      ADLINK Technology Inc. announces the release of the PCIe-FIW62, a PCI Express® IEEE1394.b frame grabber designed specifically for area scan color / monochrome inspection applications, such as PCB inspection and FPD surface inspection. The PCIe-FIW62 supports IEEE 1394.b-based cameras via two high-speed IEEE 1394.b ports, providing point-to-point data transmission of up to 800 Mbps through a PCI Express® x1 lane. The PCIe-FIW62 ensures...
      http://www.adlinktech.com

      Fundamentals of Firewire

      This article will cover the 1394-1995 standard and will speak to some of the enhancements in the 1394a revision. Details of the 1394b protocol will be left for a future article, when the specification is more firm.
      http://public.rz.fh-wolfenbuettel.de

      How to Bring Quality IEEE1394 Embedded Products to Market Fast

      When developing products based on complex bus systems, use of the correct development tools is the crucial factor in achieving quality and reducing time to market. FireSpy400 is such a tool and its abilities go way beyond those of a pure IEEE1394 analyzer. Using FireSpy400 as an example, the requirements for an IEEE1394 development tool and the options such a tool can offer a developer are explained in this article.
      http://www.hitex.com

      Building A Better DSP Mousetrap: Firewire and programmable embedded DSP multi-chip module

      Ultra-compact multi-chip modules combine TMS320C5000 DSP, Spartan-II FPGA, and IEEE 1394 Firewire interface resources for the purpose of providing easy-to-use Firewire connectivity and processing solutions for camera, sensor, and embedded system developers.
      http://www.traquair.com/articles/ultracompact.pdf

      1394 Trade Association

      The 1394 Trade Association actively promotes the proliferation of the IEEE 1394 Serial Bus standard technology into the computer, consumer, peripheral, and industrial markets to enable a truly interoperable, standardized, universal I/O and back plane interconnect.
      http://www.1394TA.org/

      TI Introduces Industry's Highest Performance PCI Express To 1394b Controller

      Texas Instruments (TI) has expanded its broad, high-performance 1394 (FirewireTM) portfolio with a flexible PCI Express (PCIe) to 1394b open host controller. The packet throughput exceeds 87 MB/s, making the XIO2213A the fastest 1394b controller on the market today. The device's unique architecture creates a one-chip solution for 1394b for ExpressCards, PC add-in cards and motherboards or docking stations. The XIO2213A provides...
      http://focus.ti.com

      IDB Forum - 1394 for Automotive

      Actively promotes the global integration of IDB networking into vehicles, consumer electronics, and automotive electronics. Activities include technology and market development, demonstration, and interface to the Automotive Multimedia Interface Collaboration (AMI-C). The scope includes IDB-C, 250Kbps network based on CAN, and IDB-1394, an automotive grade version of IEEE-1394
      http://www.idbforum.org/

      FireWire Resources

      FireWire is one of the fastest peripheral standards ever developed, which makes it great for use with multimedia peripherals such as digital video cameras and other high-speed devices like the latest hard disk drives and printers.
      http://developer.apple.com/firewire/

      1394 Firewire Hardware Design Considerations

      Most multimedia applications share one common denominator: a voracious appetite for I/O bandwidth. How to move massive amounts of data, whether it be graphic, audio, or video, into and out of a computing system or peripheral device can be a daunting task.
      http://www.ti.com/sc/data/msp/1394/hwdesign.pdf

      Explanation: these links are provided as part of our EE glossary project, which seeks to identify the most prominent keywords in embedded systems, embedded software, realtime and rtos, dsp (digital signal processing), system-on-a-chip, microprocessors and microcontrollers, and other constituent elements for embedded systems. While we seek to keep most of the links up-to-date, the user is refered to other primary electronic-based search sites such as: cera2.com, embedded.com, or EDN Magazine. If you have any suggestions of links or definitions, please email!

Mark Twain quote for the day:

Travel has no longer any charm for me. I have seen all the foreign countries I want to except heaven & hell & I have only a vague curiosity about one of those.
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