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Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA)
Definition
The Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) is a non-profit organization that functions as an association of other organizations, one of which is TIA, EIA’s communications arm. The EIA is certified by ANSI to develop standards. The EIA is well known for having produced certain electrical wiring and data transmission standards. Standards are just one part of the organization’s mission, however. The EIA often jointly recommends standards with the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA). An example standard put forth by both groups is EIA/TIA-232 (also known as EIA-232 and RS-232). This standard establishes how two devices communicate—for example, via the 9 and 25 pin connectors still commonly used on PCs along with USB connectors.