Meeting USB and IEEE1394 overcurrent protection requirements using PolySwitch devices

Universal Serial Bus (USB) and the high performance serial bus IEEE1394, also known as Firewire (trademark), will allow PCs to be built in a more modular fashion and sold like home entertainment systems where people buy the specific components they want rather than a preconfigured system. The USB technology allows peripherals from printers to joysticks to seamlessly plug into a PC and prompts the computer to reconfigure itself to accept the new device. IEEE1394 will bring the computer environment and the consumer electronics market together. It will become possible for consumers to take their computers and then integrate audio/visual components such as televisions, stereos, or DVD-ROM drives simply by using the IEEE1394 connections. Both buses use powered port architectures. In the Plug-and-Play and Hot-plug environment, reliable and resettable overcurrent protection is a must.