This project will amend the existing 1394-1995 and 1394a-2000 standards to include: a) cables and connectors for gigabit signaling and long distance (up to 100 meters); b) detection of physical loops in the bus topology and their subsequent resolution by selective disabling of PHY port(s); c) circuit design that permits the transmission either data/strobe encoded signals or 8B10B encoded signals; d) extension of the PHY/link interface for higher data rates over either an 8-bit parallel or bit-serial bus; f) protocols to encode bus arbitration signals as symbols; f) a method to encapsulate lower speed transmissions within packets transmitted at the buses maximum operating speed; g) protocols for signal speed negotiation between peer devices at the time the connection is detected; h) port initialization protocols suitable for use over AC coupled connections; and i) various informative annexes that describe testing and compliance procedures for gigabit connections.