FireWire

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FireWire

• The Interface of the Future

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Introduction

• FireWire is a way to connect different pieces of
  equipment so they can easily and quickly share
  information.
• The creators of FireWire had particular goals in
  mind when they created a standard
• Fast transfer of data from one place to another
• The ability to put a lot of device on the bus
• Easy to use
• Hot-pluggable ability
• Provision of power the a cable
• Have a plug-and-play performance
• Cheap cabling cost
• Cheap implementation cost

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How Does It Work?

• FireWire is a method of transferring data from
  one device to another, especially audio and video
  equipment, known as IEEE 1394
• Fast Latest version can go up to 800 mbps
• Can connect up to 63 devices
• Enumeration- process in which the computer
  queries all of the devices connected to the bus
  and assigns each one an address when it powers
  up.
• Is plug-and-play, and are hot pluggable, which
  means they can freely connect and disconnect any
  time.

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History of FireWire

• Original FireWire 400 (1394a) allowed speeds up
  to 400 Mbps, and can stretch up to 4.5 meters
  (cable length) between devices.
• In 2002, FireWire 800 (1394b) showed up. It
  allowed transfer rates up to 800 Mbps, and can
  stretch up to 100 meter of cable length. It is
  backward-compatible with 1394a.

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3 Types of FireWire Cables

• 6-pin-configuration (FireWire 400)? 2 large pin
  supply power, 2 twisted pair sets carry data.
• 4-pin-configuration (FireWire 400)? omits the
  power supply pins to save space.
• 9-pin-configuration (FireWire 800)? 6 pins are
  the same as FireWire 400. 2 pins provide
  protection from interference of the other wires,
  last pin does nothing at this time.

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Future of FireWire?

• iPod connectors may advance from the FireWire 400
  to FireWire 800.
• Eventually something will replace FireWire 800
  (786.432 Mbits/s). eSata is the fastest protocol
  for storage devices (2400 Mbits/s), and the
  Ultra-640 SCSI is even faster (5120 Mbits/s)
• FireWire will see a decline starting in 2009.