Abstract
We have all heard about the coming convergence of computers, consumer equipment and communications. There are many factors driving this convergence. The incredible amount of processing power available for ridiculously low costs and the vast amounts of information that is already available, with more being generated every day, are two driving forces. But communications is the real force that is drawing these separate market segments together.
A larger and larger portion of the new information being generated today is taking the form of multimedia. Video, still images and audio are becoming ubiquitous and causing an increasing thirst for easier, faster ways of transferring information. Convergence will happen when seamless, high speed communications becomes readily available. The IEEE 1394 protocol appears to be strong contenders for the communications channel that will make this happen.
The IEEE 1394-1995 protocol had its genesis at Apple Computer, which still retains the Firewire trademark. The goals of the protocol are to provide easy to use, low cost, high speed communications. In addition, the protocol is very scalable, provides for both asynchronous and isochronous applications, allows for access to vast amounts of memory mapped address space and, perhaps most important to convergence, allows peer-to-peer communication.
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