04/24/05

The IEEE1394 Firewire device is known as a tree topology. Connected to any other device, the 1394 device can connect them as long as there are no loops. Allowing hot swapping, 1394 bus can support up to 63 devices. Adding or removing a device, the bus will reset, reconfigure and resume operation.  Splitting the bus, the two pieces will reset, reconfigure and continue operation as two independent busses. Without intervention from the PC, 1394 offers peer to peer connectivity, so peripherals can talk to one another. The main peripheral for the 1394 is the digital, or DV camcorder. Geared for digital editing, 1394 add-in cards are found on high performance personal computers in 1998. Currently needed for editing and digital imaging applications, 1394 Hard-disk and DVD drives will begin to appear in the near future. Expecting higher integration on the PC platform, printers and scanners will be considerable opportunity for 1394. The current IEEE specification 1394-1995 offers speeds from 100 Mbs to 400 Mbs per second. Due to significant performance, compatibility, and interoperability, Intel designs with P1394a rather than IEEE Standard 1394-1995. Submitted to the IEEE balloting, the P1394a was the new standard in1998. Defining speeds of 3200 Mbits, P1394b starts at 800Mbs per second. With the 100-400 Mbs per second specification, connector cable, and software, P1394b is fully backward compatible.

http://www.inviocommunications.com/TechSupport/Whatis_ieee1394.htm