1.1About the Serial ATA interface

The Serial ATA interface provides several advantages over the traditional (parallel) ATA interface. The primary advantages include:

•Easy installation and configuration with true plug-and-play connectivity. It is not normally necessary to set any jumpers or other configuration options.

•Thinner and more flexible cabling for improved enclosure airflow and ease of installation.

•Scalability to higher performance levels.

In addition, Serial ATA makes the transition from parallel ATA easy by providing legacy software support. Serial ATA was designed to allow you to install a Serial ATA host adapter and Serial ATA disc drive in your current system and expect all of your existing applications to work as normal.

The Serial ATA interface connects each disc drive in a point-to-point configuration with the Serial ATA host adapter. There is no master/slave relationship with Serial ATA devices like there is with parallel ATA. If two drives are attached on one Serial ATA host adapter, the host operating system views the two devices as if they were both “masters” on two separate ports. This essentially means both drives behave as if they are Device 0 (master) devices.

Note. The host adapter may, optionally, emulate a master/slave environment to host software where two devices on separate Serial ATA ports are represented to host software as a Device 0 (master) and Device 1 (slave) accessed at the same set of host bus addresses. A host adapter that emulates a master/slave environment manages two sets of shadow registers. This is not a typical Serial ATA environment.

The Serial ATA host adapter and drive share the function of emulating parallel ATA device behavior to provide backward compatibility with existing host systems and software. The Command and Control Block registers, PIO and DMA data transfers, resets, and interrupts are all emulated.

The Serial ATA host adapter contains a set of registers that shadow the contents of the traditional device regis- ters, referred to as the Shadow Register Block. All Serial ATA devices behave like Device 0 devices. For addi- tional information about how Serial ATA emulates parallel ATA, refer to the “Serial ATA: High Speed Serialized AT Attachment” specification. The specification can be downloaded from http://www.serialata.org.

2

Momentus 7200.3 SATA Product Manual, Rev. C

Page 7 Page 9
Page 8
Image 8
Seagate ST9250421AS, STBD1000100, ST980411ASG, ST9750420AS, 7200.3, ST9320421ASG, ST9200421AS About the Serial ATA interface
Page 7 Page 9

ST9120411AS, ST9120411ASG, ST9250421AS, ST9750420AS, ST9160411AS specifications

Seagate has long been a prominent name in the storage industry, recognized for delivering reliable hard drives that cater to a variety of computing needs. The Seagate ST9200421AS, ST9160411ASG, ST980411ASG, ST9320421ASG, and ST9320421AS are notable hard drives that showcase the brand's commitment to performance and efficiency.

The ST9200421AS is a 2.5-inch SATA hard drive that boasts a storage capacity of 200GB. With a spindle speed of 5400 RPM, this model is optimized for low power consumption while maintaining adequate performance for everyday computing tasks. Its 8MB cache enhances data transfer rates, making it suitable for basic computing environments such as entry-level laptops.

Another model, the ST9160411ASG, also operates at a speed of 5400 RPM but offers a slightly larger storage capacity of 160GB. It incorporates advanced error correction technologies that improve data integrity and reliability. This drive is ideal for users looking to upgrade their existing storage without sacrificing battery life or performance in mobile devices.

The ST980411ASG steps up the capacity game with 160GB of storage as well but features Seagate's PowerSave technology that helps extend battery life in laptops. This is particularly beneficial for mobile users who require dependable storage while on the move. Combined with a 5400 RPM speed and 8MB cache, it balances performance with energy efficiency.

The ST9320421ASG offers a more substantial storage option of 320GB, matching the performance characteristics of its predecessors with a 5400 RPM spin rate. This drive includes features like QuietStep technology, which minimizes noise for a smoother user experience, making it excellent for quiet environments and multimedia applications.

Lastly, the ST9320421AS follows suit with similar specifications, catering to users who prioritize additional capacity alongside reliability. This model is ideal for users needing a dependable yet spacious storage solution for their laptops or compact desktops.

Overall, the Seagate ST9200421AS, ST9160411ASG, ST980411ASG, ST9320421ASG, and ST9320421AS hard drives exemplify the brand's innovation and commitment to quality. With features designed to enhance performance, efficiency, and user experience, these drives continue to be a solid choice for those seeking reliable storage solutions in various computing environments. With their varying capacities and features, users have the flexibility to select a model that best fits their storage needs while enjoying the reliability that Seagate is known for.
Top Page Image Contents