ATA Bus Interface and ATA Commands

Cylinder High

na

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Device/Head

obs

na

obs

DEV

na

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Status

BSY

DRDY

DF

na

DRQ

na

na

ERR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PREREQUISITES - DRDY set equal to one. SMART enabled.

DESCRIPTION - This command returns the device’s attribute thresholds to the host. Upon receipt of this command from the host, the device sets BSY, reads the attribute thresholds from non-volatile memory, sets DRQ, clears BSY, asserts INTRQ, and then waits for the host to transfer the 512 bytes of attribute threshold information from the device via the Data register.

The following defines the 512 bytes that make up the attribute threshold information.

The sequence of active attribute thresholds must appear in the same order as their corresponding attribute values (see Section 6.5.12.2).

The data structure revision number shall be the same value used in the device attribute values data structure.

Table 6-11defines the twelve bytes that make up the information for each threshold entry in the device attribute thresholds data structure. Attribute entries in the individual threshold data structure must be in the same order and correspond to the entries in the individual attribute data structure.

The attribute ID numbers are vendor specific. Any non-zero value in the attribute ID number indicates an active attribute.

Attribute threshold values are to be set at the factory and are not changeable in the field.

The data structure checksum is the two’s compliment of the result of a simple eight- bit addition of the first 511 bytes in the data structure.

 

Device Attribute Thresholds Data Structure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6CDNG￿￿￿￿￿￿￿

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total bytes

 

512

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data structure&GUETKRVKQPrevision number =

 

$[VGU(QTOCV2binary

6[RG

 

 

Rd only

 

0x0004h for this revision

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1st attribute threshold

12

 

 

Rd only

.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30th attribute threshold

12

 

 

Rd only

 

reserved (0x00)

18

 

 

Rd only

 

Vendor specific

131

 

 

Rd only

 

Data structure checksum

1

 

 

Rd only

 

Maxtor D540X-4K 20.4/40.0/60.0/80.0 GB AT

-17

 

Page 79
Image 79
Maxtor D540X-4K manual $VGUQTOCV 2 binary

D540X-4K specifications

The Maxtor D540X-4K is a notable hard disk drive that has made its mark in the world of computer storage solutions. Launched in the early 2000s, this drive was known for its high capacity and reliable performance, making it a popular choice among consumers and businesses alike.

One of the main features of the D540X-4K is its generous storage capacity. With a range of models available, users could select from configurations starting at 40GB to larger sizes, accommodating a wide variety of storage needs. This capacity was particularly advantageous during an era when digital media was rapidly expanding, allowing users to store everything from documents and photos to videos and applications without running out of space.

The D540X-4K utilizes an IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) interface, also known as PATA (Parallel ATA), which ensures compatibility with a broad spectrum of computers. This interface was standard at the time, making the drive accessible to a wide user base. The drive also supports ATA-100, providing data transfer rates of up to 100 MB/s, which was impressive for its time.

In terms of performance, the drive operates at a speed of 5400 RPM, which, while not the fastest in comparison to modern solid-state drives, provided a suitable balance of speed and efficiency for the average user’s needs. This rotational speed ensured decent read and write times for everyday applications, making it a reliable option for personal computing.

Another characteristic of the D540X-4K is its advanced data protection features. The drive was equipped with Maxtor's unique Shock Protection Technology, which helps protect the drive’s internal components from damage due to shocks or drops. This feature contributed to increased reliability, especially for users in mobile or high-traffic environments.

The Maxtor D540X-4K also incorporates a Cache Buffer, which enhances performance by temporarily storing frequently accessed data. The cache sizes varied across models, with options of 2MB or more, aiding in quicker data retrieval and overall improved system responsiveness.

In summary, the Maxtor D540X-4K is a hard drive that stands out for its storage capacity, compatibility, and protective features. Even today, it serves as a reminder of the evolution of data storage technologies, as it laid the groundwork for the high-capacity drives we utilize in modern computing. Its legacy continues to influence new technologies while reflecting the needs of the early digital era.