Firewire Cables (IEEE 1394)

Image	Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity	Rfq
	PX0851/4M00 Bulgin	CBL IEEE1394 6POS TO 4POS 13'	0
	PX0846/4M00 Bulgin	CBL IEEE1394 6POS TO 6POS 13'	0
	PX0846/2M00 Bulgin	CBL IEEE1394 6POS TO 6POS 6.56'	0
	PX0417/4M00 Bulgin	CBL IEEE1394 4POS TO 4POS 13'	0
	PX0418/2M00 Bulgin	CBL IEEE1394 4POS TO 6POS 6.56'	0
	PX0417/2M00 Bulgin	CBL IEEE1394 4POS TO 4POS 6.56'	0
	PX0418/4M00 Bulgin	CBL IEEE1394 4POS TO 6POS 13'	0
	PX0851/2M00 Bulgin	CBL IEEE1394 6POS TO 4POS 6.56'	0

Firewire Cables (IEEE 1394)

1. Overview

Firewire cables, standardized under IEEE 1394, are high-speed serial bus cables designed for real-time data transfer. Initially developed by Apple in the 1990s, they became critical for connecting devices requiring high bandwidth, such as digital cameras and external storage. Though largely replaced by USB 3.0+ in consumer markets, Firewire remains relevant in specialized industrial, automotive, and professional audio/video applications due to its deterministic latency and power delivery capabilities.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

Type	Function Features	Application Examples
IEEE 1394a	400 Mbps transfer rate, 4.5m max length, daisy-chain support	DV camcorders, external HDDs
IEEE 1394b	800 Mbps (S800) or 1.6/3.2 Gbps (S1600/S3200), 100m over CAT5	Industrial automation, high-speed data acquisition
6-Pin Connector	Provides power (7-30V) and data, used for bus-powered devices	Digital camcorders, portable audio interfaces
4-Pin Connector	Data-only transmission, no power delivery	Desktop peripherals, fixed installations

3. Structure and Components

A typical Firewire cable contains:

Two twisted pairs for differential data signals (STP/UTP)
Two power conductors (for 6-pin variants)
Multi-layer shielding (foil + braided mesh) for EMI protection
PVC/LSZH jacket material for durability
90 or straight connectors with nickel/gold-plated contacts

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Value/Description	Importance
Transfer Rate	400 Mbps - 3.2 Gbps	Determines real-time data handling capability
Impedance	100 10	Ensures signal integrity
Shielding	Foil + 85% braided coverage	Minimizes electrical interference
Conductor Material	Oxygen-free copper (OFC)	Optimizes conductivity
Operating Temp	-20 C to +70 C	Defines environmental suitability

5. Application Fields

Primary industries include:

Consumer electronics (legacy devices)
Industrial automation (machine vision systems)
Professional audio/video (studio equipment)
Automotive diagnostics (OBD-II interfaces)
Medical imaging (ultrasound machines)

Typical devices: Sony XDCAM camcorders, National Instruments DAQ systems, MOTU audio interfaces.

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

Manufacturer	Representative Product	Key Features
Belkin	F2N116-06-SV	1394b compliant, 800 Mbps, 6ft length
Anixter	1394-0003-C6	Industrial-grade LSZH jacket
Amphenol	107989-6	Right-angle connectors for tight spaces
Monoprice	108821	Budget 1394a cable with CE/FCC certification

7. Selection Guide

Consider:

Speed requirements (S400 vs S800 for high-resolution video)
Cable length (active cables needed beyond 5m)
Environmental factors (shielded cables for industrial settings)
Power needs (6-pin vs 4-pin connectors)
Backward compatibility (1394b supports 1394a devices)

Industry Trends

While consumer adoption declined after USB 3.0's rise, Firewire persists in niche markets requiring guaranteed bandwidth and isochronous transfers. Emerging trends include:

Adoption in automotive networks (replacing CAN for sensor clusters)
Integration with Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) standards
Specialized defense/aerospace applications requiring deterministic latency
Development of fiber-optic Firewire variants for extreme environments