May 1, 2000

Fuel for the fire
IEEE 1394 gains more support

Despite Intel’s continuing efforts to derail it, the IEEE 1394 standard (called Firewire by Apple and iLink by Sony) keeps gaining momentum. Ample support now makes it easy to add the fast point-to-point interface to PC products. However, developers of embedded systems including Internet appliances have had little help.

Microware plans to rectify that situation by offering 1394 development support for its OS-9 software running on Hitachi’s SuperH processor.

Microware and Hitachi say the move will help convergence project teams deliver Firewire-enabled products quickly. Hitachi welcomes the support because it targets the SuperH at appliance applications such as set-top boxes and dedicated Internet and email clients. Moreover,

1394 plays a key part in the HAVi (Home Audio Video interoperability) specification, and will likely enjoy a major role in future home-networking schemes.