Ata Bus Interface And Ata Commands; Introduction; Mechanical Interface; Signal Cable And Connector - Maxtor MaXLine II 250 Product Manual

ATA BUS INTERFACE AND ATA COMMANDS

This chapter describes the interface between Maxtor MaXLine II 250/
300GB hard disk drives and the ATA bus. The commands that are issued
from the host to control the drive are listed, as well as the electrical and
mechanical characteristics of the interface.
5.1

INTRODUCTION

Maxtor MaXLine II 250/300GB hard disk drives use the standard ATA/
ATAPI interface. Support of various options in the standard are
explained in the following sections.
5.2

MECHANICAL INTERFACE

5.2.1

Signal Cable and Connector

The MaXLine II hard disk drive contains a 40-pin unitized connector for
both signal and power connections as well as configuration jumpers.
The dimensions and specifications of the unitized connector comply
with Annex. A in the ATA/ATAPI standard.
The MaXLine II drives require the use of an 80 conductor cable (ATA/
ATAPI-6, Annex. A, Figure A.4 and description) to support the drive's
Ultra DMA capability.
5.3

ELECTRICAL INTERFACE

5.3.1

ATA Bus Interface

5.3.1.1 Electrical Characteristics
Signals on the ATA interface are assigned to connector pins according to
Annex. A in the ATA/ATAPI-6 standard for the 80 conductor cable
assembly. The signaling protocol complies with clause 9 and signal timing
complies with clause 10 of the standard.
The MaXLine II hard disk drives support all Ultra DMA Data Transfer
modes (0 - 5) defined in the ATA/ATAPI-6 standard. In addition, these
drives support Mode 6, and can send and receive data at the full 133MB/
s transfer rate.
Maxtor MaXLine II 250/300GB
Chapter 5
5-1