IEEE 1394 (Firewire/iLink)

IEEE 1394 (Firewire/iLink)

The IEEE 1394 standard is a set of specifications for a high-performance serial bus. An IEEE 1394 bus has the following features:

• Lets you connect up to 63 devices on one IEEE 1394 bus
• Supports many kinds of devices (digital video cameras and recorders, hard drives, network adapters, and so forth)
• Supports Plug-and-Play (no configuration except simply plugging in the device)
• Supports hot-swapping (you can add and remove devices without rebooting)
• Can provide power (up to certain limits) to devices
• Supports peer-to-peer transfers (for example, data can be transmitted between a digital video camera and a recording device without going through a computer)

Be aware that some companies market their IEEE 1394-based products under trademarked names, most notably:

• Firewire (trademarked by Apple Computers, Inc. and the basis of the IEEE 1394 standard)
• iLink (trademarked by Sony Corporation)

Version	Description
1394	Supports speeds of 100, 200, 400 megabits per second Maximum cable length is 4.5 meters (15 feet)
1394.A	Clarifies and enhances original standard.
1394.B	Under development to support speeds of 800, 1600, and 3200 megabits per second Maximum cable length is 100 meters (328 feet)
1394.3	Supports peer-to-peer data transmission Devices like scanners and digital cameras can send data directly to a printer (no computer involvement required)

IEEE 1394 Windows Compatible Operating Systems

Operating System	Supports IEEE-1394?
Windows 95	No
Windows 98	Yes
Windows ME	Yes
Windows NT 4.0	No
Windows 2000	Yes
Windows XP	Yes

IEEE Configuration

 

You should know the following facts about IEEE 1394:

• An IEEE 1394 bus does not necessarily include a PC. In other words, various types of devices can potentially act as the root node. The devices on the bus decide the root node each time a device is added or removed from the bus.
• The maximum number of hops (other devices) between any two devices is 16.
• You cannot connect IEEE 1394 devices to form a loop.

IEEE 1394 devices can be bus powered or self powered. IEEE 1394 cables with four wires are not self-powered; IEEE 1394 cables with six wires are self-powered. Following are cross-sections and illustrations of IEEE 1394 four-pin (A/V device to A/V device) and six-pin (PC device to PC device) cables and connectors.