1394 Automotive Camera Systems Are on the Move: Simple Designs with High Bandwidth, Low Latency and Scalability
Automotive camera systems are progressing from a single backup camera and simple sensors to detect objects to smart driver assist systems such as collision avoidance and sign recognition. continued

New FireWire Design Guide Ready from 1394 Trade Association
The 1394 Trade Association has issued its new 2010 FireWire Design Guide, which details the guidelines for implementing FireWire (IEEE 1394) ports on high level complex devices such as personal computers and automobiles, and on simple devices such as consumer electronics products. continued

Trade Association Sees Strong Growth for 1394-Equipped Products in the Year Ahead
The Trade Association is predicted a strong year of expansion for FireWire across a wide range of markets in 2010, as the electronics industry returns to solid growth and designers adopt faster FireWire speeds. continued

1394 Trade Association 2010 Board of Directors Includes Representatives from Texas Instruments, LSI, Littelfuse
The 1394 Trade Association has elected a new Board of Directors for 2010, led by members from industry leaders Texas Instruments, LSI, and Littelfuse. continued

1394 Trade Association Publishes New Technical Papers about FireWire’s Use in Security Camera Designs and Industrial Monitoring Applications
The 1394 Trade Association has published a pair of new technical articles detailing innovative applications of the 1394 (FireWire) standard in security camera designs, and in systems used to measure the operating condition of industrial equipment such as wind turbines. continued

New Technical Article by TA Vice Chair Richard Mourn Details 1394’s Benefits in Automotive Camera Designs
Vice Chair Richard Mourn has completed a new technical article detailing the application of 1394 in automotive camera systems. continued

Welcome to the 1394 Trade Association’s 15th year.  Founded in 1995, we’re a little smaller than we were in the beginning, but so is every other electronics trade association. But we fully expect to have an excellent year in 2010, as we emerge from the prolonged global downturn. We are experiencing increased design activity, many new products, new initiatives, and some exciting milestones ahead.

First, by the end of the year, there will be more than 2 billion FireWire ports installed and in use globally, in PCs, notebooks, storage products, consumer electronics products, video, audio systems, and a wide range of applications in the medical, semiconductor, vision, and military sectors.

2010 also is the year that we’ll see a move toward the fastest, highest bandwidth systems, ever designed with 1394 – products and systems running at 1.6 Gigabit/second of true data throughput.  We can even expect the first look at some 3.2 Gigabit/second applications sometime in the second half of the year.

Competitively, the outlook for IEEE 1394 has never been better. USB 3.0, with its rapid speed and high bandwidth, does not appear set to emerge for another year or two at best.  PCs, notebooks and handhelds continue to be designed with 1394 ports that provide all the video and audio connectivity required for almost any application.  We expect this year to work together on a new Ethernet over 1394 specification.  And, designers in the medical products and industrial instrumentation sectors and other special markets continue to develop amazing new capabilities. 

One of our newest and most powerful initiatives, vehicle networking, is also on track for substantive progress this year.  The rebounding auto industry, which expects to show a total US build back to 10-12 million cars in 2010, provides a foundation for the 1394-based networking platform, which has been in development with auto makers and Tier 1 companies for several years.  We expect real progress here and possibly announcements this year.

As we move into 2010, I want to thank our new board members in advance for their time and service.   Most of our officers returned this year, Don Harwood as finance chair, Dave Thompson as secretary, Toni Ray as editor, and our new vice chair is Richard Mourn, whom you all know.  Like me, Richard’s been with the 1394 TA since its inception, and his continuing support is helping us penetrate new markets with innovative applications. 

-- Max Bassler, Chairman