14.Jul.2010 What is Firewire?

If you are familiar with names “IEEE 1394,” “Sony i.Link” or “Lynx,” you probably already are familiar with “FireWire” whether you know it or not. The terms are more or less interchangeable, with the former serving as the official title of the technology. What FireWire boils down to is a basic connection between separate apparatuses enabling them to quickly and effectively communicate and share information. Originally created by Apple in 1995, from a technical standpoint the IEEE1394 technology is a serial bus interface standard, sending data one bit at a time in sequential order as opposed to parallel communication, in which multiple data bits are sent simultaneously or in a link between several parallel channels.At its onset, IEEE1394 served primarily as a replacement to parallel SCSI (small computer system interface), offering both lower implementation costs and a more convenient, adaptable cabling system. Among its other benefits that have continued to promote the technology’s continued development and sustainability over time include fast data transferring, multichannel programmability on the bus, straightforward and simple usability, hot-pluggable ability (can be connected and disconnected while power is on), plug-and-play performance (new devices are auto-detected) and the provision of power through the cable. Since its original concepting in the mid 90s, IEEE1394 has evolved and developed just like any technology, branching out to accommodate a wider variety of uses today. For example, an IEEE1394 connection allows data to be sent to and from high bandwidth digital devices (i.e. video camera, PDAs, MP3 players, etc.) and your home or laptop computer at extremely high speeds. It is primarily utilized by personal computers with applications in digital audio, digital video, automotive and aeronautics as well. The official term FireWire was developed by Apple to serve as the brand name for the interface and has stood the test of time.