SATA-IO Expands Supported Features in SATA Revision 3.3 Specification

The SATA International Organization (SATA-IO) announced publication of the SATA Revision 3.3 Specification and Unified Test Document (UTD) 1.5.

This SATA specification introduces features that enable higher capacity, reliability and flexibility for SATA-based products. SATA-IO members can access the specification here while non-members can purchase the specification here.

The relentless growth of digital data continues to drive demand for higher capacity, lower-cost storage. Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR) overlaps HDD tracks to yield a 25% capacity increase versus conventional magnetic recording technology. SATA-IO has incorporated SMR support into its specification.

Advancements in revision 3.3 specification include:

• Power disable: Allows for remote power cycling of SATA drives to help ease maintenance in the data center.

• Single-pin activity indicator and spin-up control: An activity indicator and staggered spin-up can be controlled by the same pin, adding flexibility and providing users with more choices.

• Transmitter emphasis specification: A transmitter specification increases interoperability and reliability in electrically demanding environments.

“As the organization responsible for an industry standard, SATA-IO understands the need to support an evolving storage market. We believe the revision 3.3 specification provides higher capacity, better reliability and more flexibility to users,” said Knut Grimsrud, president and chairman, SATA-IO.

Updated compliance testing
SATA-IO also announced availability of UTD 1.5, the SATA compliance test requirements utilized during Interoperability Workshops and by independent test labs. This document includes mechanical tests for mSATA and SATA M.2, as well as tests for the transmitter emphasis specification. Information on the UTD 1.5 can be found here.