1394 Trade Association: Compliance Overview

1394 TRADE ASSOCIATION LOGO PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Introduction
The 1394 Trade Association (1394TA) has successfully launched its Logo Program. Products of many different types have the opportunity to earn a FireWire and/or i.LINK 1394 Compliant logo for display on product packaging. Many products have already earned the logo.

The FireWire and i.LINK 1394 Compliant logos not only provide the easily recognizable FireWire and/or i.LINK logo, they add a very important indication of compliance to the IEEE 1394 Standard (and other related standards and specifications) and interoperability with other FireWire and/or i.LINK 1394 Compliant labeled products.

How to Earn the Compliant Logo
The 1394 Trade Association (1394TA) offers three possible choices to earn a 1394 compliance logo:

NOTE: Depending on the product category (type), these choices may be limited. For example cables and connectors can currently only be tested for the compliant logo at 1394TA approved 3rd Party Laboratories. Please click here for details on testing specific product categories.

1. Pass the required tests conducted at a 1394TA sponsored C & I workshop

1394TA sponsored C & I (Compliance and Interoperability) workshops are held quarterly at locations around the world.

2. Pass the required tests at a 1394TA Certified 3rd Party Test Laboratory

1394TA certified 3rd party test laboratories have been trained to perform tests for specific product types. The 1394TA enabled these test laboratories to meet the time to market needs of its members by allowing testing by appointment rather than waiting for the next C & I Workshop.

For information about 1394TA certified 3rd party test laboratories please click here. For information about becoming a 3rd party test laboratory, please click here.

3. Pass the required tests at a 1394TA Certified Self-Test Laboratory

1394TA certified self-test laboratories are laboratories located at 1394TA member companies that have been approved by the 1394TA to perform the required 1394 compliance tests on products that are either sold or manufactured by that company. The self-testing is often a more convenient way for manufacturers of 1394 products to perform the required 1394 compliance tests, especially if such products are difficult to ship to other locations for the compliance testing.

For information on how to become a 1394TA approved self-test laboratory, please click here. For a list of companies who have self-test labs, please click here.

What is tested?
To earn the opportunity to receive a 1394 compliant logo license for your product(s), each product must pass a series of tests. The tests are grouped into four (4) sections called test suites. The four suites are:

1. Point-to-Point Test Suite

The Point-to-Point Test Suite focuses on interoperability with other approved 1394 compliant devices. However when this test is performed at a C & I Workshop, it is performed as a private Plugfest, which focuses on interoperability with other 1394 devices (whose compliance may not yet have been determined) supplied by others attending the C&I Workshop in a private setting.

2. Base 1394 Test Suite

The Base 1394 Test Suite focuses on two main areas; the system board implementation as it pertains to electrical characteristics and compliance to IEEE-1394/1212 protocol implementation.

3. Network Test Suite

The Network Test Suite focuses on device behavior in larger topologies.

4. Functional Test Suite

The Functional Test Suite focuses on specific device behavior in a point-to-point configuration.

With exception of the Base 1394 Test Suite all other test suites are product category (type) dependent. For more information about each test suite as it pertains to your product please click here.

The 1394TA recognizes some 1394 enabled products are very similar (Example: different color of packaging) but may still have different product SKU's or model numbers. In an effort to not create extra work for product makers by requiring these similar products to be tested, the 1394TA has established a Tested by Similarity guideline. Please click here for the guideline.

What is done with the results?
At the conclusion of the testing at either the 3rd party test laboratory, or the self-test laboratory, the tester knows whether the tested device is 1394 compliant, and if the device is considered to be compliant, the appropriate paperwork is sent to the 1394TA to register the product for the 1394 compliance logo license.

However, at the conclusion of the C&I Workshop the results from all four test suites are evaluated by the 1394TA in a confidential manner. Within 4 weeks of the C&I Workshop, participants are contacted with specifics about the results, and informed whether the product earned the 1394 compliance logo license.

For more information about submitting results please click here.

The Compliance Logo License
Once a product earns the right to a compliance logo license the 1394TA will provide a packet of information, including a 1394 compliance logo license request form, terms and conditions of the license, and use guidelines of the compliance logo itself. For more information about the logo license please click here.

What do you get?
After earning the compliance logo and completing the appropriate paper work you have earned the right to use the compliance logo. For both end product and silicon manufacturers, your product will be listed on the 1394TA website according to product type.

Whom to Contact:
If you have questions or commits concerning the 1394TA Compliance Logo Program please contact:

James Snider, Executive Director of the 1394TA
or
Richard Mourn, Chairperson of the Compliance and Interoperability Working Group

Tips for Developers:
Developer tips for avoiding common problems in 1394 device interoperability

HELPFUL LINKS

Events Calendar

White Papers

Developers' Tips

1394TA HOME | SITEMAP | SEARCH | PRIVACY & SECURITY | CONTACT