Q M 5 6 4 8 R C Y A B I G F O O T QUANTUM
Native| Translation
------+-----+-----+-----
Form 5.25"/HH Cylinders |13456| |
Capacity form/unform 6510/ MB Heads 6| 16| |
Seek time / track 14.0/ 3.0 ms Sector/track | 63| |
Controller IDE / ATA2 FAST/ENHA Precompensation
Cache/Buffer 128 KB Landing Zone
Data transfer rate 11.000 MB/S int Bytes/Sector 512
16.600 MB/S ext PIO4
Recording method PRML 16/17 operating | non-operating
-------------+--------------
Supply voltage 5/12 V Temperature *C 5 55 | -40 75
Power: sleep 1.0 W Humidity % 5 85 | 5 95
standby 1.4 W Altitude km -0.061 3.048| 12.192
idle 6.1 W Shock g 10 | 70
seek 7.6 W Rotation RPM 3600
read/write 6.6 W Acoustic dBA 34
spin-up 27.0 W ECC Bit 192BIT,ON THE FLY
MTBF h 300000
Warranty Month 36
Lift/Lock/Park YES Certificates CSA,EEC,EN55022-4,EN60950,...
**********************************************************************
L A Y O U T
**********************************************************************
QUANTUM BIGFOOT CY 2,1/4,3/6,4AT PRODUCT MANUAL 81-113668-01 11/96
8-pin Jumper
40-Pin IDE Connector Connector
+----------------------------------------------------+---------+
|* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 1 * * * * * | XXXXXXX |
|40* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ++ * * * * | POWER 1|
+-----------------------------------------++-+-+-+-+-+---------+
DS+ | | + PARK
CS/SP NUSED
**********************************************************************
J U M P E R S
**********************************************************************
QUANTUM BIGFOOT CY 2,1/4,3/6,4AT PRODUCT MANUAL 81-113668-01 11/96
Jumper Setting
==============
8-pin Jumper Connector
----------------------
8-pin Jumper
Connector
-----------------------------+---------+
* * * * * * * 1 * * * * * | XXXXXXX |
* * * * * * ++ * * * * | POWER 1|
---------------++-+-+-+-+-+---------+
DS+ | | + PARK
CS/SP NUSED
The 8-pin embedded connector has two jumper locations, DS and
CS/SP, that provide a way to configure the drive's mode operation:
- DS - Drive Select
- CS/SP - Cable Select/Slave Present
A "PARK" position is also provided to store a jumper when it is not
in use.
DS CS/SP
+---+---+---+---PARK
|XXX| * | * | * | = MASTER
|XXX| * | * | * |
+---+---+---+---+
DS CS/SP
+---+---+---+---PARK
| * | * | * | * | = SLAVE
| * | * | * | * |
+---+---+---+---+
DS CS/SP
+---+---+---+---PARK
| * |XXX| * | * | = CABLE SELECT
| * |XXX| * | * |
+---+---+---+---+
DS CS/SP
+---+---+---+---PARK
|XXX|XXX| * | * | = MASTER WITH SLAVE PRESENT
|XXX|XXX| * | * |
+---+---+---+---+
DS CS/SP
+---+---+---+---PARK
| * | * | * |XXX| = PARK
| * | * | * |XXX|
+---+---+---+---+
+------+------+------+------------+---------------------------------+
|CS/SP |DS | PARK |Cable Pin 28| Description |
+------+------+------+------------+---------------------------------+
|OPEN |OPEN | X | X | Drive is configured as a Slave |
+------+------+------+------------+---------------------------------+
|OPEN |CLOSED| X | X | Drive is configured as a Master |
+------+------+------+------------+---------------------------------+
|CLOSED|CLOSED| X | X | Drive is configured as a Master,|
| | | | | with an attached Slave |
+------+------+------+------------+---------------------------------+
|CLOSED| X | X | OPEN | Drive is configured as a Slave |
+------+------+------+------------+---------------------------------+
|CLOSED| X | X | GROUND | Drive is configured as a Master |
+------+------+------+------------+---------------------------------+
X indicates the jumper setting does not matter.
Cable Select/Slave Present (CS/SP) Jumper
-----------------------------------------
When the CS jumper is installed, the drive uses pin 28 of the
interface connector to determine if the drive is a master or a slave.
If pin 28 of the interface connector is grounded, the drive is
configured as a Master; if pin 28 of the connector is left open, an
internal pullup brings the pin high, and the drive is configured as
a Slave. If the CS and internal pullup brings the pin high, and the
drive is configured as a Master with an attached Slave.
Drive Select (DS) Jumper
------------------------
For systems that do not support the Cable Select feature, a drive
can be configured as a Master or Slave by removing the CS jumper and
using only the DS jumper. If the DS jumper is installed, the drive
is configured as a Master; if it is removed, the drive is configured
as a Slave.
Park Jumper
-----------
The PARK position is used as a place to store a jumper for a Slave
drive in systems that do not support Cable Select.
Interface Connector Pin 39
--------------------------
DASP- Pin 39 / Drive Active/Slave Present
A time-multiplexed signal that indicates either drive activity or
that drive 1 is present. During power-on initialization, DASP- is
asserted by drive 1 wuthin 400 ms to indicate that drive 1 is
present.
If drive 1 is not present, drive 0 asserts DASP- after 450 ms to
light the drive-activity LED.
An open-collector output signal, DASP- is deasserted following the
receipt of a valid command by drive 1 or after the drive is ready,
whichever occurs first. Once DASP- is deasserted, either hard disk
drive can assert DASP- to light the drive activity LED. Each drive
has a 10K pull-up resistor on this signal.
If an external drive-activity LED is used to monitor this signal, an
external resistor must be connected in series between the signal and
a +5 volt supply in order to limit the current to 24 mA maximum.
**********************************************************************
I N S T A L L
**********************************************************************
QUANTUM BIGFOOT CY 2,1/4,3/6,4AT PRODUCT MANUAL 81-113668-02 11/96
Notes On Installation
=====================
Installation direction
----------------------
horizontally vertically
+-----------------+ +--+ +--+
| | | +-----+ +-----+ |
| | | | | | | |
+-+-----------------+-+ | | | | | |
+---------------------+ | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+---------------------+ | +-----+ +-----+ |
+-+-----------------+-+ +--+ +--+
| |
| |
+-----------------+
The drive will operate in all axis (6 directions).
The mounting holes on the Bigfoot CY 2.1/4.3/6.4AT hard disk drives
allow the drive to be mounted in any orientation.
IDE-BUS Adapter
---------------
There are two ways you can configure a system to allow the Bigfoot
CY 2.1/4.3/6.4AT hard disk drives to communicate over the IDE-bus
of an IBM or IBM-compatible PC:
1. Connect the drive to a 40-pin IDE-bus connector (if available)
on the motherboard of the PC.
2. Install an IDE-compatible adapter board in the PC and connect
the drive to the adapter board.
40-Pin IDE Bus Connector
------------------------
Many of the laster design PC motherboards have a built-in 40-pin,
IDE-bus connector, that is compatible with the 40-pin IDE interface
of the Bigfoot CY 2.1/4.3/6.4AT hard disk drives.
If the motherboard has an IDE connector, simply connect a 40-pin
ribbon cable between the drive and the motherboard.
Adapter Board
-------------
If your PC motherboard does not contain a built-in, 40-pin IDE-bus
interface connector, you must install an IDE-bus adapter board
and connecting cable to allow the drive to interface with the
motherboard.
Quantum does not supply such an adapter board, but they are available
from several third-party vendors.
Make sure that the adapter board jumper settings are appropriate.
Mounting
--------
For mounting, M3 screws are required.
To avoid striping the mounting-hole threads, the maximum torque
applied to the screws must not exceed 5 kg-cm.
Mounting Screw Clearance
------------------------
The printed-circuit board assembly (PCBA) is very close to the
mounting holes.
CAUTION
The PCBA is very close to the mounting holes. Do not exceed the
specified length for the mounting screws. The specified screw length
allows full use of the mounting-hole threads, while avoiding
damaging or placing unwanted stress on the PCBA.
Ventilation
-----------
The Bigfoot CY 2.1/4.3/6.4AT hard disk drives operates without a
cooling fan, provided the ambient air temperature does not exceed 55*
C (131*F).
Combination Connector
---------------------
The connector contains a 40-pin interface, an 8-pin jumper block, and
a 4-pin power connector.
DC Power Connector
------------------
4-Pin Connector
AMP P/N 1-480424-0
Loose piece contacts
AMP P/N 61173-4
Strip contacs:
AMP P/N 350078-4
IDE-Bus Interface Connector
---------------------------
On the Bigfoot CY 2.1/4.3/6.4AT hard disk drives, the IDE-bus
interface cable connector is a 40-pin Universal Header.
For mating with the 40-pin connector, recommended cable connectors
include the following parts of their equivalents:
AMP receptacle with strain relief P/N 1-499506-0
AMP receptacle without strain relief P/N 1-746193-0
To key the 40-pin cable connector, you must plug the hole that
corresponds to pin 20.
Other recommeded part numbers for the mating connector include:
40-Pin Connector 3M 3417-7000 or equivalent
Strain Relief 3M 3448-2040 or equivalent
Flat Cable (Stranded 28 AWG) 3M 3365-40 or equivalent
Flat Cable (Stranded 28 AWG) 3M 3517-40 (shielded) or equivalent
For Systems with a Motherboard IDE Adapter
==========================================
You can install the Bigfoot CY hard disk drive in an AT-compatible
system that contains a 40-pin AT-bus connector on the motherboard.
To connect the drive to the motherboard, use a 40-pin ribbon cable.
Ensure that pin 1 of the drive is connected to pin 1 of the mother-
board connector.
For Systems with an IDE Adapter Board
=====================================
To install a Bigfoot CY hard disk drive in an AT-compatible
system without a 40-pin, AT-bus connector on its motherboard, you
need a third-party IDE-compatible adapter board.
Adapter Board Installation
--------------------------
Carefully read the manual that accompanies your adapter board before
installing it. Make sure that all the jumpers are set properly and
that there are no addressing or signal conflicts.
Install the adapter board in your system according to the adapter
board manual.
Connecting the Adapter Board and the Drive
------------------------------------------
Use a 40-pin ribbon cable to connect the drive to the board.
1. Insert the 40-pin cable connector into the mating connector on
the adapter board. Make sure that pin 1 of the connector matches
with pin 1 on the cable.
2. Insert the other end of the cable into the header on the drive.
When inserting this end of the cable, make sure that pin 1 of
the cable connects to pin 1 of the drive connector.
3. Secure the drive to the system chassis by using the mounting
screws.
Base Casting Assembly
---------------------
A single-piece aluminium-alloy base casting provides a mounting sur-
face for the drive mechanism and PCB. The base casting also acts as
the flange for the DC motor assembly. To provide a contamination-free
environment for the HDA, a gasket provides a seal between the base
casting and the metal cover that enclose the drive mechanism.
Air Filtration
--------------
The Bigfoot CY AT hard disk drives are Winchester-type drives.
The heads fly very close to the media surface. Therefore, it is
essential that the air circulating within the drive be kept free of
particles. Quantum assembles the drive in a Class-100, purified air
environment, then seals the drive with a metal cover. When the drive
is in use, the rotation of the disk forces the air inside of the
drive through an internal filter.
DC Motor Assembly
-----------------
Integral with the base casting, the DC motor assembly is a fixed-
shaft, brushless DC spindle motor that drives the counter-clockwise
rotation of the disks.
Electrical Characteristics
--------------------------
All signals are transistor-transistor logic (TTL) compatible - with
logic 1 greater than 2.0 volts and less than 5.25 volts; and logic 0
greater than 0.0 volts and less than 0.8 volts. Neither the adapter
board, motherboard interface, or drives require terminating
resistors.
Drive Cable and Connector
-------------------------
The hard disk drive connects to the host computer by means of a
cable. This cable contains a 40-pin connector that plug into the
drive, and a 40-pin connector that plugs into the host computer. At
the host end, the cable plugs into either an adapter board residing
in a host expansion slot or an on-board IDE adapter.
If two drives are connected by a cable with two 40-pin drive
connectors, the cable-select feature of the Bigfoot CY AT
automatically configure each as drive 0 or drive 1 depending on the
configuration of pin 28 on the connector.
IDE Bus Interface
-----------------
A 40-pin IDE interface connector on the motherboard or an adapter
board provides an interface between the drive and a host that uses an
IBM PC AT bus. The IDE interface contains bus drivers and receivers
compatible with the standard AT bus. The AT-bus interface signals
D8-D15, INTRQ, and IOCS16- require the IDE adapter board to have an
extended I/O-bus connector.
The IDE interface buffers data and control signals between the drive
and the AT bus of the host system, and decodes addresses on the host
address bus.
The Command Block Registers on the drive accept commands from the
host system BIOS.
NOTE
Some host systems do not read the Status Register after the drive
issues an interrupt. In such cases, the interrupt may not be
acknowledged. To overcome this problem, you may have to configure a
jumper on the motherboard or adapter board to allow interrupts to be
controlled by the drive's interrupt logic. Read your motherboard or
adapter board manual carefully to find out how to do this.
**********************************************************************
F E A T U R E S
**********************************************************************
QUANTUM BIGFOOT CY2,1/4,3/6,4AT PRODUCT MANUAL 81-113668-01 11/96
General Description
-------------------
Quantum's Bigfoot CY hard disk drives are a part of a family of
high-performance, 0.75-inch-high and 1-inch-high hard disk drives
manufactured to meet the highest product quality standards.
The Bigfoot CY hard disk drives use nonremovable, 5 1/4-inch hard
disks.
Bigfoot CY hard disk drives feature an embedded AT drive controller
and use ATA commands to optimize systems performance.
The drive manages media defects and error recovery internally, so
these operations are fully transparent to the user.
Seek Times
----------
+-----------------+--------------+
|Track-to-track | 3 ms typ. |
+-----------------+--------------+
|Average write | 12 ms typ. |
| | 17.0 ms max. |
+-----------------+--------------+
|Full stroke | 25 ms typ. |
+-----------------+--------------+
System Startup and Operation
----------------------------
Once you have installed the Bigfoot CY hard disk drive and adapter
board (if required) in the host system, you are ready to partition
and format the drive for operation. To set up the drive correctly,
follow these steps:
1. Power on the system
2. Run the SETUP program. This is generally on a Diagnostics or
Utilities disk, or within the system's BIOS.
3. Enter the appropriate parameters.
The SETUP program allows you to enter the types of optional hard-
ware installed - such as the hard disk drive type, the floppy disk
drive capacity, and the display adapter type. The system's BIOS
uses this information to initialize the system when the power is
switched on. For instructions on how to use the SETUP program,
refer to the system manual for your PC.
During the AT system CMOS setup, you must enter the drive type for
the Bigfoot CY hard disk drive. This procedure allows the
system to recognize the drive by translating its physical drive
geometry parameters such as cylinders, heads, and sectors per
track, into a logical addressing mode.
4. Boot the system using the operating system installation disk.
1024 Cylinder Limitation on Older Computer Systems
--------------------------------------------------
Because the MS-DOS operating system uses the computer's ROM BIOS to
access the hard drive, it is limited to viewing 1,024 cylinders by
the AT ROM BIOS. The CMOS System Setup is able to scan the total
number of cylinders, but the BIOS is still limited to using only 1024
cylinders. Listed below are some techniques to resolve this
difficulty.
- Use a third party software program that translates the hard drive
parameters to an acceptable configuration for MS-DOS.
- Use a hard disk controller that translates the hard drive
parameters to an appropriate setup for both MS-DOS, and the
computer system's ROM BIOS.
Newer Computer Systems with Extended BIOS Translation
-----------------------------------------------------
Some newer computer systems allow the user to configure disk drives
that go beyond the 528MB (528,482,304 bytes) barrier. Here are
formulas to translate drives with a maximum capacity of 8.4 GB
(8,422,686,720):
xcyl = cyl * nxcyl is defined as a new cylinder translation
xhead = head * nxhead is defined as a new head translation
xsec = sec = 63xsec is definde as a new sector translation
where n = 2, 4, 8, ..., a power of 2
n is chosen to reduce the number of cylinders to be less than or
equal to 1024. However, sectors must equal 63 and the number of heads
cannot exceed 255.
NOTE
Be advised that the previous information is dependent upon the
capabilities of the computer system, hard disk controller, and/or
software programs. Some configurations may not provide the user with
proper operation of the disk drive. All other documentation should be
examined prior to the hard drive installation.
Formatted Capacity
------------------
At the factory, the Bigfoot CY receives a low-level format that
creates the actual tracks and sectors on the drive.
Data Transfer Rates
-------------------
Data is transferred from the disk to the read buffer at a rate up to
6.5 MB/s in burst. Data is transferred from the read buffer to the AT
bus at a rate up to 6.0 MB/s, using programmed I/O without IORDY.
If IORDY is used, then this transfer rate can be increased to 16.67
MB/s.
Reliability
-----------
Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF): 300,000 Power On Hours (POH),
typical usage
Component Life: 5 years
Preventive Maintenance (PM): Not required
Start/Stop: 20,000 cycles (minimum)
The Quantum MTBF numbers represent Bell-Core MTBF predictions and
represent the minimum MTBF that Quantum or a customer would expect
from the drive.
Error Detection and Correction
------------------------------
As disk drive areal densities increase, obtaining extremely low error
rate requires a new generation of soghisticated error-correction
codes. Quantum Bigfoot CY series hard disk drives implement
224-bit trible-burst Reed-Solomon error correction techniques to
reduce the uncorrectable read error rate to less than one bit in 1 x
10(14) bits read.
When errors occur, an automatic retry and a more rigorous double-
burst and a more rigorous trible.burst correction algorithm enable
the correction of any sector with two burst of three incorrect bytes
each or up to 12 multiple random one-byte burst errors. In addition
to these advanced error correction capabilities, the drive's
additional cross-checking code and algorithm double checks the main
ECC correction. This greatly reduce the probability of a
miscorrection.
Automatic Actuator Lock
-----------------------
To ensure data integrity and prevent damage during shipment, the
drive uses a dedicated landing zone and Quantum's patented AIRLOCK.
The AIRLOCK holds the headstack in the landing zone whenever the
disks are not rotating. It consists of an air vane mounted near the
perimeter of the disk stack and a locking arm that restrains the
actuator arm assembly.
When DC power is applied to the motor and the disk stack rotates, the
rotation generates an airflow on the surface of the disk. As the flow
of air across the airvane increases with disk ratation, the locking
arm pivots away from the actuator arm, enabling the headstack to move
out of the landing zone. When DC power is removed from the motor, a
return mechanism automatically pulls the actuator into the landing
zone, where the AIRLOCK holds it in place.
Disk Caching
------------
The Bigfoot CY hard disk drive incorporates DisCache, an 78K disk
cache, to enhance drive performance. This integrated feature
is user-programmable and can significantly improve system throughput.
Read and write caching can be enabled or disabled by using the SET
CONIGURATION command.
Error Reporting
---------------
At the start of a command's execution, the Bigfoot CY hard disk
drive checks the Command Register for any conditions that would
lead an abort command error. The drive then attemps execution of the
command. Any new error causes execution of the command to terminate
at the point at which it is occurred.
-----------------+--------------------------+---------------------+
COMMAND |ERROR REGISTER |STATUS REGISTER |
+--------------------------+---------------------+
|BBK|UNC|IDNF|ABRT|TK0|AMNF|DRDY|DWF|DSC|CORR|ERR|
-----------------+---+---+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+----+---+
Check Power Mode | | | | V | | | V | V | V | | V |
-----------------+---+---+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+----+---+
Read Defect List | V | V | V | V | | V | V | V | V | V | V |
-----------------+---+---+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+----+---+
Exec. Drive Diag.| | | | | | | | | | | V |
-----------------+---+---+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+----+---+
Format Track | | | V | V | | | V | V | V | | V |
-----------------+---+---+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+----+---+
Identify Drive | | | | V | | | V | V | V | | V |
-----------------+---+---+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+----+---+
Initi. Parameters| | | | | | | V | V | V | | |
-----------------+---+---+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+----+---+
Inval.Cmnd. Codes| | | | V | | | V | V | V | | V |
-----------------+---+---+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+----+---+
Read Buffer | | | | V | | | V | V | V | | V |
-----------------+---+---+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+----+---+
Read Configurati.| V | V | V | V | | V | V | V | V | V | V |
-----------------+---+---+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+----+---+
Read DMA | V | V | V | V | | V | V | V | V | V | V |
-----------------+---+---+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+----+---+
Read Multiple | V | V | V | V | | V | V | V | V | V | V |
-----------------+---+---+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+----+---+
Read Sectors | V | V | V | V | | V | V | V | V | V | V |
-----------------+---+---+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+----+---+
Read Sec. Long | V | | V | V | | V | V | V | V | | V |
-----------------+---+---+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+----+---+
Read Verify Sec. | V | V | V | V | | V | V | V | V | V | V |
-----------------+---+---+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+----+---+
Recalibrate | | | | V | V | | V | V | V | | V |
-----------------+---+---+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+----+---+
Seek | | | V | V | | | V | V | V | | V |
-----------------+---+---+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+----+---+
Set Configuration| V | | V | V | | | V | V | V | | V |
-----------------+---+---+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+----+---+
Set Features | | | | V | | | V | V | V | | V |
-----------------+---+---+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+----+---+
Set Multiple Mode| | | | V | | | | | | | V |
-----------------+---+---+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+----+---+
Write Buffer | | | | V | | | | | | | V |
-----------------+---+---+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+----+---+
Write Multiple | V | | V | V | | | V | V | V | | V |
-----------------+---+---+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+----+---+
Write DMA | V | | V | V | | | V | V | V | | V |
-----------------+---+---+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+----+---+
Write Sectors | V | | V | V | | | V | V | V | | V |
-----------------+---+---+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+----+---+
Write Sec. Long | V | | V | V | | | V | V | V | | V |
-----------------+---+---+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+----+---+
Key:
V = Valid errors for each command
ABRT = Abort command error
AMNF = Data address mark not found error
BBK = Bad block detected
CORR = Corrected data error
DRDY = Drive not ready detected
DSC = Disk seek complete not detected
DWF = Drive write fault detected
ERR = Error bit in the Status Register
IDNF = Requested ID not found
TK0 = Track zero not found error
UNC = Uncorrectable data error
Defect Management
-----------------
In the factory, the media is scanned for defects. If a sector on a
cylinder is found to be defective, the address of the sector is added
to the drive's defect list. Sectors located physically subsequent to
the defective sector are assigned logical block addresses such that a
sequential ordering of logical blocks results. This inline sparing
technique is employed in an attempt to eliminate slow data transfer
that would result from a single defective sector on a cylinder.
**********************************************************************
G E N E R A L
**********************************************************************
QUANTUM ATA TIPS
Comparing the Fast ATA and Enhanced IDE Disk Drive Interfaces
-------------------------------------------------------------
Why are Fast ATA and Fast ATA-2 Important?
Faster data transfer rates are important because a computer is
only as fast as its slowest component. Today's 486, Pentium, and
PowerPC-based computers offer processor speeds many times faster
than only two years ago. Bus speeds have also increased with the
inclusion of 32-bit VL and PCI local buses, which have a maximum
data transfer rate of 132 MB/second.
Faster buses mean that data can be transferred from the storage
device to the host at greater speeds. Fast ATA and Fast ATA-2 allow
disk drives to store and access this data faster, thus enhancing the
other high-speed components in the system and removing the
bottleneck associated with older ATA/IDE drives. In short, Fast
ATA helps bring very high performance to desktop PC systems.
In addition, when compared to SCSI, Fast ATA is the least expensive
way to achieve faster disk drive data transfer rates and higher
system performance. The implementation of Fast ATA through system
BIOS provides performance without incremental hardware co sts.
Older systems can support Fast ATA using an inexpensive host
adapter.
Fast ATA and Fast ATA-2 are easy to implement in either VL or PCI
local bus systems. The hardware connection can be made using a
standard 40-pin ATA ribbon cable from the drive to the host
adapter. Direct connection to the motherboard further eases
integration when provided by the motherboard supplier.
Once connected, the high data transfer capabilities of Fast ATA can
be enabled through the data transfer options found in most CMOS BIOS
setup tables. Newer versions of BIOS provide automatic configuration
for Fast ATA drives.
Fast ATA can improve efficiency by allowing more work to be
completed in less time because the computer moves data faster.
Graphic, multimedia, and audio/visual software users will benefit
most because the speed of those applications, which work with large
blocks of data, are transfer-rate dependent.
The Fast ATA and Enhanced IDE interfaces both use the local bus to
speed data transfer rates. Enhanced IDE also uses the same PIO modes
as Fast ATA, although a data transfer rate equal to the PIO mode 4
rate has not been announced for Enhanced IDE. The major differences
between Fast ATA and Enhanced IDE are that the latter includes
three distinct features in addition to fast data transfer rates.
The additional features of Enhanced IDE are as follows:
High-capacity addressing of ATA hard drives over 528 MB -
a BIOS and device driver function.
Dual ATA host adapters supporting up to four hard disk drives per
computer system - a function of BIOS, operating system, and host
adapter, not the drive.
Support for non-hard disk drive peripherals such as CD-ROMs -
a function of BIOS and the operating system, not the drive
Each of these features supports improved functionality at a system
level, a positive development for the industry and end users.
However, support for all three features requires an extremely high
degree of integration and revisions to operating systems and hard-
ware, in addition to BIOS changes. Specific support is required not
only for the storage peripherals but also for host adapters, core
logic, the system bus, BIOS, and operating systems - virtually every
major block of PC architecture.
There is no central industry-supported standard that controls the
features of Enhanced IDE. With no standard, some products sold as
"Enhanced" may provide only one of the three features of Enhanced
IDE. For example, fast data transfer rate support is be coming
standard on mid-range and high-end local bus systems. This single
feature could satisfy the users immediate requirements without the
need for the other features of Enhanced IDE.
In the future, if the same system is upgraded to add the remaining
features of Enhanced IDE, users may be forced to purchase an Enhanced
IDE package that contains a feature already installed. This could
result in unnecessary costs, integration conflicts, and in-
compatibility with original factory implementations.
Fast ATA, on the other hand, represents only the fast data transfer
rates for ATA hard drives (support for PIO mode 3 or 4 and DMA mode
1 or 2). Fast ATA and Fast ATA-2 data transfer rates can be easily
achieved when the system BIOS and hard drive suppo rt the PIO and
DMA protocols.
BIOS that supports Fast ATA does not necessarily support high-
capacity addressing, dual host adapters or non-hard drive
peripherals. But these features are being introduced independently
by system manufacturers in order to compete in the PC marketplace.
All of Quantum's disk drives designed for PCs now support Fast ATA,
and new products with Fast ATA support will be introduced in early
1995. The drives are also fully backward compatible with older ATA/
IDE (non-Fast ATA) BIOS.
The Quantum drives support both the Extended CHS (Cylinder Head
Sector) and LBA (Logical Block Address) addressing methods in
overcoming the 528 MB DOS capacity barrier. Quantum drives can also
be used with dual host adapters.
Finally, there are no incompatibilities with Quantum hard drives
that would prevent computer systems from supporting non-hard drive
peripherals.
Quantum drives that support Fast ATA include the following families:
Quantum ProDrive LPS 170/210/340/420
Quantum ProDrive LPS 270/540
Quantum Maverick 270/540
Quantum Lightning 365/540/730
Quantum Daytona 127/170/256/341/514
Fast ATA and Fast ATA-2 are important technologies that can take
advantage of the performance provided by the latest high-speed
microprocessors and bus architectures. The high-speed interfaces
are based on industry standard specifications and are the least
expensive way to achieve faster disk drive data transfer rates.
Fast ATA is not a group of features that requires an extremely
high level of integration, and only represents the fast data transfer
rates for ATA hard drives (PIO mode 3 or 4 and DMA mode 1 or 2).
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