1394 Trade Association Approves VersaPHY Specification;
Versatile, Easy-to-Use Standard Offers Peer-Peer Streaming with Low
Controller Overhead
Connects Consumer, Computer, Automotive Applications to High
Speed 1394 Networks
Dallas, Feb. 19, 2008 – The 1394 Trade Association has
approved the new VersaPHY™ specification, developed to enable simple
consumer, computer, industrial, military, aerospace and automotive
applications to connect to high-speed, low-latency 1394-based networks using
a variety of topologies.
VersaPHY adds another cost-effective and efficient networking option
featuring a minimum of software overhead and controller hardware. VersaPHY
was developed beginning in 2006 as a backward-compatible extension to the
IEEE 1394 (FireWire) standard. It allows applications to connect as directly
as possible to the 1394 network without the need for extra 1394 software in
the VersaPHY device. VersaPHY can be deployed today using 1394 PHY silicon
that is already on the market.
Applications connect directly to the 1394 PHY layer, creating a “VERSAtile”
physical layer while maintaining the plug-and-play attributes of 1394
through new VersaPHY registers. VersaPHY controllers can be implemented
using today's 1394 Open Host Controller (OHCI) silicon, so development of
VersaPHY controllers and devices is easy. VersaPHY supports isochronous
(real-time) and asynchronous data and peer-to-peer transfer – core
competencies of the 1394 standard -- and controller overhead is reduced to a
minimum.
“We have been working with an impressive list of companies and applications
since the original VersaPHY specification became available,” said Richard
Mourn of Quantum Parametrics, which developed VersaPHY in conjunction with
the 1394 Trade Association. “Basic applications such as security cameras,
temperature sensors, lighting controls and others can be connected easily to
1394 networks using VersaPHY, with reduced wiring and overhead costs.” Mourn
added that many automotive and aerospace applications -- including
low-bandwidth seat back controls, dashboard displays, and in-vehicle cameras
– can be easily and efficiently linked to 1394 networks using VersaPHY.
VersaPHY also can perform motor control, position sensing, and bridging to
devices on legacy interfaces such as I2C, CAN, RS-232 and others.
Quantum Parametrics (QP) has already shipped two VersaPHY based products.
QP's Signal Quality Tester and Interconnect Tester both utilize VersaPHY
technology for control, status, and data acquisition. Mourn said, "The
Signal Quality Tester provides IEEE-1394b (Beta) transmit signal integrity
and device receiver sensitivity verification while the Interconnect Tester
is used to verify the ability of cables, slip rings, and devices to pass
98.304 to 983.04 Mbaud signals at variable amplitudes to measure
interconnect margin." Two new developers’ kits will be available later this
spring. For more information, visit www.quantumparametrics.com
Now in its 14th year, the 1394 Trade Association is a worldwide organization
dedicated to the advancement and enhancement of the IEEE 1394 (FireWire)
standard. For more information visit
www.1394ta.org
Contact:
Dick Davies
415 652 7515
ipra@mindspring.com
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