News

1394 Trade Association Sets New Cable, Connector Compliance Program (16/8/2006)

Names ETC and NTS as Official Testing Organizations; 1394a Cable, Connector Procedures Set; 1394b Plan to be Ready in Jan. 2007

The 1394 Trade Association has established a cable and connector compliance program for 1394a products, and announced that two independent test companies, ETC of Taiwan (Electronics Testing Center) and NTS of the U.S., have been certified as official testing organizations. The certification program covers all 1394a cables and connectors and is effective immediately. A similar procedure for 1394b cables and connectors is under development and is expected to be ready by January 2007, according to Sam Liu, vice chair of the 1394 Trade Association.

"The 1394 standard is being adopted throughout the consumer, computer, peripherals, industrial, automotive, and other market sectors worldwide," said James Snider, executive director of the 1394 Trade Association. "This new compliance program will ensure that 1394a cables and connectors meet the 1394 standard and are interoperable."

The two testing organizations were certified on the basis of several criteria, including international certification; non-alignment with any cable or connector manufacturer; experience in testing products for standards organizations; and at least five years of experience testing products designed for high-speed connectivity. The compliance suite includes electrical, mechanical, environmental and other tests. Cables and connectors that meet the compliance procedures can use the 1394 Trade Association's compliance logo. The compliance testing for the logo can be completed in less than 60 days, according to Liu.

Six leading cable and connector manufacturers led the way in establishing the criteria for the program including Comoss, Delphi, Elka, Foxconn, Molex, and Newnex. The test samples provided by the six companies passed the verification tests of high-speed electrical functionality. The verification tests are crucial for selection of the test labs. All of the leading participants have 1394a cables and connectors that meet the standards and have completed the compliance testing process.

The 1394 Trade Association is a worldwide organization dedicated to the advancement and enhancement of the IEEE 1394 standard.

www.1394TA.org