FireWire
FireWire
Overview
Advantages
FireWire provides one of the most comprehensive, high-performance, cost-
effective solutions platforms. FireWire offers very impressive throughput at
very affordable prices.
Definition
FireWire (also known as i.Link or IEEE 1394) is a personal computer and
digital video serial bus interface standard, offering high-speed communica-
tions and isochronous real-time data services. FireWire has low implemen-
tation costs and a simplified and adaptable cabling system.
Figure 1: FireWire Logo
IEEE 1394 standards
FireWire was developed by Apple Computer in the late 1990s, after work
defining a slower version of the interface by the IEEE 1394 working commit-
tee in the 1980s. Apple's development was completed in 1995. It is defined
in IEEE standard 1394 which is currently a composite of three documents:
•
the original IEEE Std. 1394-1995
•
the IEEE Std. 1394a-2000 amendment
•
the IEEE Std. 1394b-2002 amendment
FireWire is used to connect digital cameras, especially in industrial systems
for machine vision.
Advantages over USB are:
•
Faster effective speed
•
Higher power distribution capabilities
•
Multi-camera applications are easier to set up than in USB.
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