IEEE1394

IEEE1394, sometimes also called Firewire or iLink is a serial highspeed bus protocol initially invented by Apple Computer in 1995.

Implementing the IEEE1394 Bus Protocol is a quite expensive process, in opposition the spec is not open, many parts of the protocol are patented and implementors have to obtain documentation and licenses at the IEEE1394 Trade Alliance (http://www.1394ta.org/).

Since every device has to implement both host and client modes of operation, IEEE1394 chipsets are usually quite expensive compared to USB chipsets providing the same functionality

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Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE1394

http://www.1394ta.org/