(electronic) signal integrity list ()

Kotson, Michael | 3 Nov 2008 16:59

SATA compliance testing

Hi all,
   I have a question about SATA compliance testing for a mobile system.
Our system consists of a motherboard with a SATA Gen2 controller and 6
inches of trace that ends at a high speed connector.  This connector
then mates to a flex assembly (8 inches), which then connects directly
to the SATA disk drive.  Since the SATA spec doesn't really address this
scenario, I would be inclined to treat it like a desktop system:  The
motherboard/flex connector would be tested to the Gen2i standards and
the flex assembly would be tested to the cable standards.  Is this the
correct way to approach this scenario?

Thanks in advance,

Mike

--

Michael Kotson

Project Engineer

VT Miltope

4900 Pearl East Circle Suite 106

Boulder, CO 80301

(303) 473-0388 x132

http://www.miltope.com <blocked::http://www.miltope.com/>

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Scott McMorrow | 3 Nov 2008 17:21

Re: SATA compliance testing

Mike,

Since your design is a hybrid design where you have control over the 
flex assembly, I would perform a compliance test on the entire 
end-to-end path, as-if the PCB-Flex were a cable.  If this test scenario 
passes, then you have more than ample margin.

Scott

Scott McMorrow
Teraspeed Consulting Group LLC
121 North River Drive
Narragansett, RI 02882
(401) 284-1827 Business
(401) 284-1840 Fax

http://www.teraspeed.com

Teraspeed® is the registered service mark of
Teraspeed Consulting Group LLC

Kotson, Michael wrote:
> Hi all,
>    I have a question about SATA compliance testing for a mobile system.
> Our system consists of a motherboard with a SATA Gen2 controller and 6
> inches of trace that ends at a high speed connector.  This connector
> then mates to a flex assembly (8 inches), which then connects directly
> to the SATA disk drive.  Since the SATA spec doesn't really address this
> scenario, I would be inclined to treat it like a desktop system:  The
> motherboard/flex connector would be tested to the Gen2i standards and

(Continue reading)

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Kotson, Michael | 4 Nov 2008 22:21

Re: SATA compliance testing

Hi Scott,
   I'm not sure I follow.  Where should the signal quality measurements
be made, such as rise time, amplitude, jitter, etc?  Typically in a
desktop system these are made at the motherboard/cable interface
(Gen2i).  Should the same hold true for my motherboard/flexcable model?

Thanks,
Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: Scott McMorrow [mailto:scott@...] 
Sent: Monday, November 03, 2008 9:22 AM
To: Kotson, Michael
Cc: si-list@...
Subject: Re: [SI-LIST] SATA compliance testing

Mike,

Since your design is a hybrid design where you have control over the 
flex assembly, I would perform a compliance test on the entire 
end-to-end path, as-if the PCB-Flex were a cable.  If this test scenario

passes, then you have more than ample margin.

Scott

Scott McMorrow
Teraspeed Consulting Group LLC
121 North River Drive
Narragansett, RI 02882

(Continue reading)