What is the max cable length for the IEEE 1394a standard?

The maximum cable length for the IEEE 1394a standard is indeed 4.5 meters. This standard, commonly known as FireWire, was designed for high-speed data transfer and allows for connecting various devices such as cameras and external hard drives.

The 4.5-meter maximum ensures reliable data transmission without significant attenuation or loss of signal quality. Beyond this length, the performance can degrade, leading to potential data corruption or connection failures.

While there are other standards for different interfaces with varying cable lengths, IEEE 1394a’s specification is specifically set to 4.5 meters to balance distance with performance requirements.