1394 TA Work Update

1394 TA Board Approves Fiber Annex Specification for Automotive Networking
The new fiber annex covering Hard Polymer Clad Fiber (HPCF) and Glass
Fiber (AGF) was approved by the TA's Board of Directors during the second quarter meeting, and will be added to a new revision of the 1394 Automotive specification. The 1394 TA would like to acknowledge the work done by representatives from some of our Trade Association leaders including Yazaki, Sumitomo, JAE, Fujitsu, Mitsubishi Cable, TE Connectivity, and others.

TA Continues Focus on Developing Mini-Connector for Portable Applications
The Trade Association also initiated a call to member companies for development of new mini-connectors to be designed to work with small portable devices,  They also can save space in almost any application.  Thus far, Comoss Ltd. of Taiwan is the first connector manufacturer to develop a new mini 1934b I/O, using three pins with three levels of mating consistent with the nine-pin 1394 connectors. 

The TA is continuing to encourage Comoss to do so -- particularly if prospective customers come forward – and other connector companies are very welcome to meet this challenge.

“We are encouraging Comoss to complete its preliminary drawings of their mini connector,” said Max Bassler, who has been acting as chair of the Cables and Connectors Working Group in addition to chairing the Trade Association.  “We also want to encourage other manufacturers who might want to participate to work with us on this important step forward.  New mini connectors will definitely add to the life of 1394 in several markets including consumer electronics and computing."