Kayci Cristino

 

 

 

Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a serial bus standard to interface devices. A major component in the legacy-free PC, USB was designed to allow peripherals to be connected using a single standardized interface socket and to improve plug-and-play capabilities by allowing devices to be connected and disconnected without rebooting the computer (hot swapping). Other convenient features include providing power to low-consumption devices without the need for an external power supply and allowing many devices to be used without requiring manufacturer specific, individual device drivers to be installed.

 

USB 1.0 was introduced in November 1995

 

 The uses are to connect certain things to the computer such as cameras. Also the USB flash drive is used to save data on to and you can upload it on to any computer.

 

Devices that connect with it are cameras, printers, USB flash drives, mouses.

 

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB#Overview

 

 Series "A" plug and receptacle.

 

 

Wi-Fi

 

 also unofficially known as Wireless Fidelity, is a wireless technology brand owned by the Wi-Fi Alliance intended to improve the interoperability of wireless local area network products based on the IEEE 802.11  standards.

Common applications for Wi-Fi include internet and VoIP phone access, gaming, and network connectivity for consumer electronics such as televisions, DVD players, and digital cameras. 

 

 

Invented by the Federal Communications Commission in 1985.

 

Uses are to have internet and phone access along with network gaming with electronics such as video games, digital cameras, and televisions.

 

Connects to cell phone, MP3, video games.

 

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-fi#History

 

 

 Image:Ezurio wism2 small.jpg

 

Firewire

 is Apple Inc's brand name for the IEEE 1394 interface (although the 1394 standard also defines a backplane interface). It is also known as i.Link (Sony’s name). It is a personal computer (and digital audio/digital video)serial bus interface standard, offering high-speed communications

 

 

 Apple invented the firewire but the sony also created one.

 

 Uses are to connect a video camera to the computer to upload video footage.

 

Devices that connect with Firewire are the video camera. Also the playstation 2 now has firewire to connect with networking.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firewire#Alternative_Uses_for_IEEE_1394

 

 

 4-pin (left) and 6-pin (right) FireWire 400 connectors

 

 

 

ZigBee

 

 is the name of a specification for a suite of high level communication protocols using small, low-power digital radios based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard for wireless personal area networks (WPANs), such as wireless headphones connecting with cell phones via short-range radio. The technology is intended to be simpler and cheaper than other WPANs, such as Bluetooth. ZigBee is targeted at radio-frequency (RF) applications which require a low data rate, long battery life, and secure networking.

 

 Zigbee was originally invented in December 2004

 

 ZigBee protocols are intended for use in embedded applications requiring low data rates and low power consumption. ZigBee's current focus is to define a general-purpose, inexpensive, self-organizing, mesh network that can be used for industrial control, embedded sensing, medical data collection, smoke and intruder warning, building automation,home automation, etc. The resulting network will use very small amounts of power so individual devices might run for a year or two using the originally installed battery.

 

Devices that connect with Zigbee are

 

ZigBee coordinator(ZC), ZigBee Router (ZR), and ZigBee End Device (ZED).

 

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zig_bee