1394 Trade Association Takes Steps to Wireless Firewire

The 1394 Trade Association today announced that it has approved the WiMedia Alliance's MAC Convergence Architecture (WiMCA) as a platform for a high-speed wireless 1394 protocol adaptation layer (PAL) development. The PAL permits IEEE 1394 devices and protocols to be used in a wireless environment at speeds up to 480 Mbps, while allowing compatibility with existing wired 1394 devices.



The 1394 TA also said it will collaborate with the WiMedia Alliance to develop interoperability test specifications and certification programs for wireless 1394. The association's Wireless Working Group and Compliance and Interoperability Working Group will direct collaboration.



In addition, the Trade Association will collaborate with the MultiBand OFDM Alliance SIG (MBOA) to coordinate the development of UWB and wireless 1394 specifications.



"The 1394 TA decision is further confirmation that the consumer electronics, personal computing and mobile industries are rallying together around a UWB platform," said Glyn Roberts, President of the WiMedia Alliance. http://www.1394ta.org