Serial Cable

Understanding & Buying SATA Cables

What are Sata Cables?

Serial ATA, conceptually known as SATA or S-ATA, (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) is a long, thin, 7-pin cable. It is a ‘wire replacement’ for the older AT Attachment standard (ATA). SATA supports almost all ATA and ATAPI devices. These cables are generally incorporated into Laptop Computers, HD DVD, Blu-ray, DVD or CD drive, desktop motherboards including hard disk and other optical drives. These cables are usually 3 feet (1 meter) in length, and are effortlessly routed to stay out of the way allocating maximum airflow inside the case. The cable ensures faster and more competent data transfer and has the capability to eliminate or are add devices whilst operating (hot swap).

Typically, the Serial ATA is based on serial communication. Data is transmitted through a data path while a new path is used to convey acknowledgements of receipt. On each of its data paths, data is communicated through the LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signalling), transmission means which necessitate transmitting a signal to a wire and it is contradictory to a second wire to permit the receiver to re-establish the signal by difference. The control data are, however, transmitted on the identical path as the data via a specific series of bits to differentiate them.

History and development of SATA devices

Personal computer market associated with Hard Drive and optical storage devices are using the deviation of the IDE and ATA for the last 10 years. With the passage of time these devices have undergone a sea change in their capabilities. However, it is from the beginning of the year 2009 year, SATA has replaced the legacy ATA and is renamed as Parallel ATA or PATA in each and every shipping consumer PCs. As of now PATA remains prominent in industrial and fixed applications and is reliant on CompactFlash storage; however the new CFast storage standard will be based on SATA.

How the product is superior and what are its expectations from its future products?

A single cable of Serial SATA has a minimum of four wires which creates a point-to-point connection amidst different devices. Its transfer rate begins at 150MBPs or 300 MB/s as against of a 133 MB/s maximum using the preceding technology. However, a third generation SATA i.e. “SATA 6Gb/s” to be introduced this year is expected to deliver around twice the speed of the preceding SATA iteration.

The conventional IDE port i.e. ATA or basically PATA, transmit data in parallel. The sole advantage of parallel transmission over serial transmission is the enhanced speed of the earlier mode, considering that numerous bits are sent at the same time. However, the main disadvantage of it relates to the noise, because a lot of wires have to be used, mainly one for each bit to be sent per turn, one wire produce intrusion in another. That is the reason why ATA-66 and advanced hard disks necessitate a particular, 80-Wire Cable. The disparity among this 80-wire cable and the standard 40-wire IDE cable is that it comprises a ground wire between each original wire, providing anti-interference shielding.

How to choose good quality Sata Cables?

•    Look for a reputed brand while buying SATA cables and ensure they come with a guarantee.
•    Verify whether it has the same straight connectors at both ends.
•    Whether these cables have a latching system.
•    Ensure they prop up high-speed data transfer rates of up to 1.5Gbps over distances up to 3 feet.
•    Validate whether they contain metal tab locks, because a number of SATA ports are very wide.
•    Look out whether they are compatible with the traditional 4-pin molex connectors as well.
•    Ensure whether it is a SATA II cable which has a speed or data transfer rate of 3Gb/s
•    Whether the cable has a 270° Drive Connector SATA cable.

About the Author

Sophie Milch currently manages purchasing and inventory control for Comnauts.com

Comnauts.com is one of the internet’s fastest growing retailers specializing in computer hardware, software, electronics, ipod and video game accessories.

Sophie keeps herself busy by making sure our inventory is filled with quality products, the latest and the greatest. Sophie holds a B.Sc. in Mathematics from the University of Waterloo and is frequent contributor to several technology blogs and magazines. When she’s not working; in typical nerd fashion you can catch Sophie twittering friends, beating down Murlocs in World of Warcraft and watching re-runs of the X-files.

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