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March 19, 2001
Sharp and Sony Formalize Specifications and Will Begin Licensing
for "OP i.LINK v1.0" Digital Optical Fiber Interface
Sharp Corporation
Sony Corporation
Sharp Corporation (head office: Osaka, president: Katsuhiko Machida)
and Sony Corporation (head office: Tokyo, president and COO: Kunitake
Andoh) have formalized specifications for Version 1.0 of "OP i.LINK,"
a digital interface using optical fibers for connecting audio, video,
and IT products aimed at home networks in the era of broadband communications.
The two companies will begin licensing the specifications from April
2, 2001.
OP i.LINK is based on IEEE 1394a-2000, the latest supplement to the
IEEE 1394 High Performance Serial Bus (also known as "FireWire") communications
protocol, and is designed for the transfer of still images, full-motion
video, music and data files via a single-core plastic optical fiber
(POF). It is fully compatible with the i.LINK protocol based on IEEE
1394, which uses conventional metallic conductors.
The Version 1.0 specifications, which will be licensed on a fee basis,
include optical and electrical characteristics, dimensional standards
for connectors, physical layer IC specifications and bus manager implementation
rules, as well as relevant testing and measurement methods.
A program for testing and logo mark licensing (to certify conforming
to OP iLINK specifications) under the aegis of third-party testing organizations
will be also implemented to ensure the interoperability of devices and
digital audio/video and IT products based on these specifications.
Sharp Corporation and Sony Corporation are proposing that this jointly
developed OP i.LINK digital optical fiber interface be incorporated
into various products such as digital audio/video and IT equipment with
the aim of facilitating the development of "home networks."
The two companies are also committed to on-going development work for
Version 2.0 specifications which will enable transmission rates up to
400 Mbps.
[OP i.LINK Ver. 1.0 Main Specifications]
| Transmission method |
Single-core plastic optical fiber (POF), full-duplex
transmission system |
| Optical fiber |
SI (step index) type |
| Light-emitting element |
LED (light emitting diode), LD (laser diode) |
| Emission wavelength |
650 nm |
| Coding scheme |
8B10B |
| Transmission distance |
60 cm to 10 m |
| Transmission rate |
100 Mbps |
| Connector types |
| Super miniature jack connector (2.5-mm-dia.) |
Primary application: compact portable devices such as PDAs
and mobile phones |
|
| Miniature jack connector (3.5-mm-dia.) |
Primary application: the front panel of console-type audio/video
equipment and desktop IT devices, portable audio/video devices
such as portable CD players and camcorders |
|
Mechanical lock connector
(3.6-mm-dia.) |
Primary application: the back panel of console-type audio/video
equipment and desktop IT devices |
|
For licensing information, please
contact:
Tomohiko Yoshida
Senior Technical Specialist, IP Team,
Electronic Components Laboratories Electronic Components Group, Sharp
Corporation
tel: +81-745-63-8543
e-mail: < yoshida-t@ex.shinjo.sharp.co.jp >
|
