What is SATA (Serial ATA)? | Definition, Features, and Speeds

SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) is a fast way to move data. It links a computer’s main board to different storage devices. These things include hard disk drives (HDDs), solid state drives (SSDs), and light devices. Examples of light devices are CD and DVD players.

SATA was made to take the place of the older PATA standard. It gives many good points. First, it allows faster data-moving speeds. Second, it helps with cable care using thinner, softer cables. Also, SATA allows hot-swapping, letting people change drives while the system is on.

Essential parts include working with different drive sizes and devices. The top speed for SATA III is as high as 6 Gbps.

It also allows innovative tools like Native Command Queuing (NCQ). This tool improves the order of read and write tasks, which makes the whole system faster. So, SATA is a key part of today’s computers. It helps to handle data storage well.

What Does a Serial ATA Port Mean?

This connection takes the place of the old IDE connection. It is also called Parallel ATA or P-ATA.

SATA gives better performance and quicker speeds. It also handles many drives better and lets data move farther. You can join cables and drives right away.

You can also put new things in your system without turning off your computer. This way gets rid of the chance of electrical shorts.

History

Before 2000, a team was studying new device connections. They wanted to create new things for built-in data storage.

This new thing made moving and finding data much faster. That same year, the Serial ATA team was formed. This group strongly helped with money for the plan.

Later, the Serial ATA II team started to make the market the same. In 2004, it became the Serial ATA Organization International (SATA-IO).

In November 2001, hardware makers like Intel and Dell created the Serial ATA team. They wanted to fill the needs for the following type of connection.

After making the ATA-7 rules better, the old PATA connection was no longer used. It had been working well since the mid-1980s.

At the same time, light beams and wireless tech made significant steps in serial talking. These steps were taken to reach new design rules for the ATA connection.

The command part is a bigger version of the old ATA design. So, new devices can work with old ATA rules. They work fine with programs that already exist.

But the physical part is not the same. This change means that newer SATA devices cannot work with the older ones. But they give enough good points to make the changes worth it.

The aim is for ATA devices to use the same standard command group. They should set up their links in a system made of addresses, areas, and devices.

This system is a little bit like the Internet. It is based on an ATA area made of a SATA host controller and a device.

What are SATA Speeds?

• In the first generation, SATA-I created 150 MB/s transfer values ​​per second.
• The second-generation SATA-II reached 300 MB/s, also known as Serial ATA-300.
• SATA-III reaches speeds of up to 600 MB/s.

Units supporting 3Gb/s speed are compatible with the 1.5 Gb/s bus. The table below shows the actual speed calculation of SATA-I 1.5 Gb/s and SATA-II 3 Gb/s:

Physical Structure

Each SATA or SAS port, multiplier, device, or adapter has a unique 64-bit port number. Briefly;

• It includes a 4-bit NAA-coded type of MAC or barcode.
• It contains a 24-bit manufacturer code.
• It consists of a device code that the 36-bit manufacturer can use.

Topology

SATA is a one-to-one design. The link between the port and the device is straight. Each device links straight to a control unit.

This removes the extra work for crash checking in PATA, which needs to be set for Enslaver and Agent devices.

The Host Controller is built into the main board. Or, it can be added as a card in one of its slots. This control unit works as a link between the parallel data path and the device.

Control units with many ports also exist. These join many devices together to make linking better.

Port expanders help add more links to a control unit port, allowing for more attached devices.

The control unit also makes data serial and parallel. It also allows hot plugging, which lets you plug in while the machine is on. Link and unlink steps are key for this type of connection.

Also, the link steps can find the type of attached device, making sure of the correct link speed.

Even though SATA is faster, it is like the USB connection. But the devices are not powered by the line itself.

Cables and Connectors

The wires used for the SATA link are much narrower. This plan is more flexible than the older PATA.

Because of this, the wires are thinner. This helps air move better inside the case and also makes the equipment less hot.

Another good thing about SATA is the wire length. It can be as long as 1 meter. On the other hand, PATA wires are under half a meter long.

About the power wire, it is not the same as the first ATA drives. Working power is lower, which means it uses less electricity.

Also, the old Master/Slave setup is not needed. SATA drives are linked one per port. You can change the SATA link by setting the start-up order.

Advantages

It has breakneck data-moving speeds and more room for data. Its design is made for better work in later types. Data moves are easier, safer, and quicker.

The wires are small, look nice, and are longer. Because their ends are thin, they use less space.

They also let you plug things in. This setup works very well with RAID. They also make sure things work with programs and drivers that used old PATA links.

Another significant upgrade is the wires. They are thinner and bend more. This helps air move, making the parts less hot.

Also, these ports let wires be up to 1 meter long. The power wire is not the same as the first ATA drives. Working power is lower, so it uses less electricity.

External SATA (eSATA – External Serial Advanced Technology Attachment)

eSATA is an external type of SATA. It came out in 2004. This tech lets outside devices work at SATA speeds.

It also keeps the drive’s own features. This is key for moving from PATA/SATA to USB/Firewire rules.

Wire length can only be 2 meters. The power level has also been changed. eSATA works with RAID setups. Also, many main boards have been replaced to work with devices using this link.