1394 and AS5643 connectivity solutions

Connectivity for the 1394 and AS5643 world!

High quality and reliable 1394 and AS5643
connectivity solutions for high speed and
avionics applications.

IEEE-1394 and AS5643 Connectivity Solutions

DapTechnology offers a series of powerful 1394 and AS5643 connectivity products. They range from cables and harnesses, to single- and multi-bus repeaters (copper-to-copper repeater (CCR) and extend to media converters (copper-to-optical repeater (COR). Many of these solutions are custom and built to meet very specific customer requirements. However, DapTechnology also offers several 1394 and AS5643 connectivity COTS products. Especially with the repeater product line we have developed a design and production methodology that puts these repeaters into the COTS domain.

Repeater usage considerations

The IEEE-1394 limits the available cable length to 4.5 meter. Fortunately, AS5643 extends obtainable length significantly by adding transformers as well as defines the types of cables and connectors. Still, quite often this is not enough. Then repeaters are very useful to add another cable run. Repeaters can help as they typically use active 1394 PHY layer devices. The IEEE-1394 specification limits the total number of devices on a single 1394 bus to 63, the number of devices in a single chain to 16 as well as the available bus power (not applicable if the repeaters are self-powered which is typically the case in AS5643 implementations). For in-line extensions repeaters are typically have a pass-through configuration, i.e. connectors to either side of the enclosure connected to different ports on the same PHY.

Another interesting usage mode is to use the repeater as node replacements. Assume you are building a complex A&D system. And further assume that - while your system is already built - a single device is missing (not available yet or missing because of damage/repair/...). Depending on your network configuration that can result that some devices on your bus might no longer be connected to the rest. However, when using the repeater as a node replacement the bus integrity can be maintained on a physical level. Granted, the repeater will have no higher-level functionality but at least all nodes are still connected. In this case a pass-through connector configuration is not ideal and is better replaced with running multiple port connections through a single 38999 connector.

Cables and Harnesses

Most of DapTechnology's cables and cable assemblies relate to specific products, i.e. they provide the adequate off-product 1394 and AS5643 connectivity as due to space constraints specialized connectivity has to be used. For example, 38999 connectors do not fit on a standard PCI or PMC bracket. Or due to the large number of connections special high-density connectors (VHDCI, SCSI2) or very small connectors (LEMO) have to be used on FireSpys, FireTrac, FireAdapter, etc.. DapTechnology provides the suitable cables to interconnect to other bus devices.

DapTechnology also builds special cables and harnesses for specific AS5643 requirements and needs. Please talk to us in order to see how you can benefit from our experiences and know-how in high-speed and signal-integrity-critical applications.