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Evolving SATA for High-Speed Storage

August 2011

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SATA in PC Applications

SATA Ecosystem

Speed requirements

Introducing SATA Express™–Technical overview

–Benefits

Agenda

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A Mature Interface

– SATA is the de facto standard for PC storage; also widely implemented in mobile and enterprise applications.

– Adoption of SATA 6Gb/s technology is strong

SATA for PC Client Storage

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SATA implementations are becoming increasingly application specific.

Since its introduction, SATA has evolved into new application spaces and now provides storage interface solutions for HDDs, ODDs, SSDs, and hybrid HDDs in client PC, mobile, enterprise, CE, and embedded storage markets .

A Growing Ecosystem

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mSATA (mobile applications)

SATA µSSD (embedded applications)

USM (consumer electronics, PC applications)

Example Application-Specific Implementations

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Today, most applications are well-served by SATA 6Gb/s and will be for the foreseeable future

SSDs, however, will soon require greater speeds than those enabled by the current generation of SATA.

Application Speed Requirements

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Introducing: SATA Express ™To meet speed requirements in SSD/hybrid drive applications, SATA-IO is developing SATA Express ™:

– Combines SATA software infrastructure with the PCI Express® (PCIe®) interface

– Defines new device and motherboard connectors to support both new SATA Express and current SATA devices

– Provides 8Gb/s and 16Gb/s

– Protects investments in both SATA and PCIe

– Will coexist with other application-specific SATA formats

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PCB

PCIe Conn.

SATA Express Conn.

PCB

Accept only a x2 PCIe, or a x1 PCIe cable

Keys that reject the SATA cables

Accept a x2 PCIe, or a x1 PCIe, or two SATA cables

Desktop Connector Concept

SATA Express: Connector Changes

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Desktop Cables Concept

PCIe Cable

Existing SATA Cable

PCIe Cable

PCB

PCB SATA Express Conn

PCIe Conn.

SATA cost/performance benefits

Requires a connector that supports both PCIe and SATA

Allows a single motherboard (backplane) connector to support both interfaces

HDD-compatible form factors to be defined for SATA Express devices

Enables system-level mechanical compatibility

Preserves high-capacity storage

SATA-IO CabCon is developing backward compatible connectors and form factors for SATA Express devices

SATA Express: Cable Changes

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SATA Express Benefits

Provides a cost-effective solution for increasing device interface speed

Specification can be completed and implemented relatively quickly, since both SATA and PCIe are already widely implemented

Helps ensure seamless coexistence between SATA and PCIe

Protects developer investments in both interfaces

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• 3Gb/s Internal/External, NCQ unload, Slimline ODD connector, Four lane e/xSATA connector

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

• 6Gb/s Internal • Isochronous NCQ cmd, NCQ mgmt cmd, LIF 1.8, 7mm ODD, ATA8

SATA 2.5

• Certified Logos

• 1.5Gb/s Internal/External• Port Multiplier, Port Multiplier, ATA6

SATA 1.0

• 3Gb/s Internal/External• eSATA, Click Connect, SSC, NCQ, Staggered spinup, ASN

SATA-IO Inc. formed 2004

Serial ATA WGformed 2001

SATA 2.6

SATA 3.0

SATA 3.1• mSATA detect, zero power ODD• Required PM, CAP_ID, USM

SATA 3.2• Includes SATA Express• µSSD

SATA-IO Roadmap

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SATA Express is currently under development within the SATA-IO Cable and Connector Work Group

Completed specification expected by end of 2011

In the meantime, SATA-IO will continue to optimize the existing SATA infrastructure for a wide variety of applications

SATA will continue to be the mainstream storage interface for the foreseeable future

Next Steps And Timeline