Serial ATA disk drive having a parallel ATA test interface and method
US6976190B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 31, 2002 |
| Grant date | Dec 13, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 2, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F11/2221
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A serial ATA disk drive having a parallel ATA test interface is disclosed. A bridge circuit has a serial ATA port that is coupled to a serial ATA interface for receiving and transmitting serial ATA data signals, a parallel ATA port for receiving and transmitting parallel ATA signals, and a disable input for selectably disabling the parallel ATA port. The bridge circuit performs signal conversions between the ports. The test interface is for coupling the disk drive to a disk-drive test system. The test interface includes a connector having contacts for parallel ATA signals, and having a contact for a disable signal coupled to the disable input. The connector may be a pad pattern on a printed circuit of the disk drive. The disk drive may have an industry standard form factor, and the connector may be configured such that it lies within the disk drive's form factor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.