A 1394 Interface IC is an integrated circuit designed to implement the IEEE 1394 standard. Apple branded this technology as FireWire, Sony called it i.LINK, and Texas Instruments (TI) refers to it simply as 1394.
It is a high-performance serial bus designed for high-speed, real-time data transfer between computers and peripherals, or directly between devices.
IC-Mart Your Trusted Source for 1394 Interface IC Chips
(from leading manufacturers)
Global Manufacturers and Typical Models
1. Texas Instruments (TI)
The Industry Leader
Series
Typical Models
Classification
Remarks
TSB Series (PHY)
TSB81BA3D, TSB41BA3B, TSB41AB3
Physical Layer (PHY)
Supports 1394b (800Mbps) or 1394a
TSB Series (Link)
TSB12LV01B, TSB12LV32
Link Layer Controller (LLC)
Used with dedicated controllers
TSB Series (Integrated)
TSB43AB22A, TSB43AA82A
Integrated PHY + Link
Standard for industrial cameras
XIO Series (Host)
XIO2213B, XIO2200A
PCIe / PCI Host Controller
Common in expansion cards & motherboards
SN Series (Conversion)
SN65LVDM1676
Differential Transceiver
Low-level signal conversion
2. VIA Technologies
Cost-Effective Solutions
Series
Typical Models
Classification
Remarks
VT Series (Host)
VT6307, VT6308, VT6315
Host Controller (OHCI)
VT6315 supports PCIe
VT Series (Combo)
VT6330
Combo Controller
Integrated 1394 and PATA/IDE control
3. Broadcom / LSI / Agere
Legacy & Storage Specialists
Series
Typical Models
Classification
Remarks
FW Series (Host)
FW643, FW323
Host Controller
Former Agere/Lucent product line
OXFW Series (Bridge)
OXFW911, OXFW912
1394-to-Storage Bridge
Classic external hard drive solution
4. Microchip / SMSC
PHY Series
PHY2000
Physical Layer (PHY)
Acquired technology portfolio
5. Infineon / Cypress
Link Series
CY7C68000
Protocol Conversion / Link
Often used for USB-to-1394 bridging
China-Domestic 1394 Interface ICs
Domestic production focuses on aerospace, defense, and industrial control to ensure supply chain autonomy and high reliability.
1. BMTI (Aerospace 772 Institute)
Aerospace Grade
Model
Classification
Cross-Reference
Features
BM1394B-PHY
Physical Layer (PHY)
TI TSB81BA3
1394b (800Mbps); Rad-hardened design
BM1394B-LLC
Link Layer Controller (LLC)
TI TSB12LV32
Supports Isochronous; for avionics
BM1394B-OHCI
Host Controller (OHCI)
TI XIO2213
PCIe interface; for embedded masters
2. CETC 58th Institute
High-Reliability Industrial
Model
Classification
Cross-Reference
Features
HXS1394B-PHY
Physical Layer (PHY)
TI TSB81BA3
Pin-to-pin compatible; 3-port forwarding
HXS1394B-LLC
Link Layer Controller (LLC)
TI TSB12LV32
Optimized for domestic CPU environments
3. XI’AN Microelectronics (771 Institute)
Typical Model: 771-1394 Controller
Classification: Integrated Controller
Features: Customized SOC or FPGA IP cores; used in star-borne computers.
4. Commercial & Private Suppliers
Selfchip (智多晶) / Efinix (易灵思): Provide 1394b Protocol Stack IP cores. These pair with domestic FPGAs for industrial automation and IIDC-compliant custom protocols.
Fudan Micro (复旦微电子): Their high-reliability FPGAs often run 1394 IP cores to replace TI host controllers in sensitive systems.
1394 Interface IC Core Definition and Key Features
A 1394 IC is more than a connector; it handles complex protocol logic.
Isochronous Transfer: The “killer feature.” It guarantees bandwidth for real-time data. This prevents lag in audio and video streams.
Peer-to-Peer Communication: Unlike USB, 1394 devices talk directly to each other. No host PC or CPU middleman is required.
Hot-Pluggable: Connect or disconnect devices without a reboot. The system auto-configures.
Bandwidth: * 1394a: 100 / 200 / 400 Mbps.
1394b: 800 Mbps up to 3.2 Gbps (theoretical).
Key Application Scenarios
While USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt dominate consumer tech, 1394 remains critical in professional fields.
Machine Vision: High-speed industrial cameras use 1394 for low-latency, stable imaging on automated production lines.
Professional Audio: Recording studios rely on its zero-jitter, synchronous multi-channel audio transfer.
Aerospace & Defense: The F-35 Lightning II and various satellites use the AS5643 (Military 1394b) protocol for its deterministic, fault-tolerant data bus.
Medical Imaging: Used in X-ray and ultrasound machines where high-resolution, real-time video is non-negotiable.
Legacy Broadcast: The gold standard for DV/HDV video capture in the 2000s; still used in specialized archival and editing systems.
Summary Table: 1394 IC Classifications
Classification
Functional Description
Typical Models
Main Manufacturers
Physical Layer (PHY)
Handles electrical signals, bus arbitration, and DS encoding.
TSB41BA3B, TSB81BA3
TI, Microchip
Link Layer (LLC)
Manages packet formatting and Isochronous/Asynchronous tasks.
TSB12LV01B, TSB12LV32
TI
Integrated PHY+Link
Combines both layers for smaller PCB footprint.
TSB43AB22, TSB43AA82
TI
Host Controller
OHCI compliant; connects the bus to PCIe/PCI slots.
