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FireWire® is a high-speed digital data cable interface that allows devices to connect without a computer. It was designed by Apple in 1986 and can transfer data at up to 800 Mbps. FireWire® has advantages over other bus technologies, including hot-swapping devices and real-time data transmission, but has design limitations such as a maximum of 63 devices connecting through a single host device.
A FireWire® bus is a type of interface that allows various electronic devices to connect to each other via high-speed digital data cables, without the need for a computer to mediate. FireWire® can transmit data at speeds of up to 800 Megabits per second (Mbps), which translates into a theoretical maximum data rate of 100 megabytes per second. It first appeared on the market in 1995 and is mainly used for audio and video devices such as digital video cameras. FireWire® is compatible with all major computer operating systems and some lesser-known operating systems.
Apple, Inc., formally known as Apple Computer, designed the FireWire® bus in 1986 as a means to increase hard drive data transfer speeds. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) organization later joined its development and manufacturing, giving it the generic name IEEE 1394. The IEEE founded the IEEE 1394 Working Group, which later managed the development of the technology , with help from Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), International Business Machines (IBM), Sony Corporation and Texas Instruments.
FireWire® technology allows devices to communicate with each other as peers. This allows for interaction between devices when both have FireWire® connectivity, such as a digital camera that sends photos directly to a printer without an intermediary computer. FireWire® devices can also connect via a daisy chain, which means they can connect in a peer-to-peer configuration, like a computer connecting to a camera connected directly to a printer. Additionally, FireWire®-enabled devices can connect in a tree hierarchy, which means that one computer can connect with a camera and printer and then connect to another computer with a printer and scanner.
The FireWire® bus comes in two main implementations, which are FireWire® 400, also known as 1394a; and FireWire® 800, known as 1394b. FireWire® 400 transfers data at a maximum speed of 400 Mbps, FireWire® 800 has a maximum bandwidth of 800 Mbps, and both use 64-bit addressing. Due to their peer-to-peer connectivity, both buses allow for features such as networking between two computers without the need for an intermediate router or network hub. A FireWire® port supplies up to 45 watts of power to connected devices, which can free them from the need for their own power supply.
Devices using FireWire® bus technology enjoy a number of advantages over older analog and digital data connection technologies. These improvements include the use of smaller and lighter cables, ease of use, and higher speed. Additionally, all data is transferred digitally, providing superior data transmission quality over standard audio and video cables. It has advantages over other bus technologies, including the ability to hot-swap devices, which means you don’t have to shut down a computer or printer to disconnect a FireWire®-based hard drive. Real-time data transmission is another advantage when it comes to applications such as capturing and recording live video footage.
There are some design limitations with FireWire® technology. For example, only 63 devices can connect through a single FireWire® host device. The maximum length for a FireWire® 400 cable is just under 15 feet (about 4.5m), and the maximum length for a FireWire® 800 cable is 330 feet (100m). While the FireWire® bus can supply up to 45 watts of power, this is not enough to supply the 63 devices that can connect to the bus, meaning some devices will need to have their own power sources.
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