Product manual

Maxtor MaxLine Plus II 250GB AT 5-1
Chapter 5
ATA BUS INTERFACE AND ATA COMMANDS
This chapter describes the interface between the MaxLine Plus II 250GB AT hard
disk drive 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
MaxLine Plus II 250GB AT hard disk drive 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 Plus II 250GB AT 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 Plus II 250GB AT drive 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 Plus II 250GB AT hard disk drive 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. Hosts may
assert the RESET- signal for longer than the minimum. When power is applied with
RESET- asserted, the MaxLine Plus II 250GB AT disk media will not begin to spin
up until RESET- is negated. This may reduce maximum current consumption for the