ATA-Disk Module 4

AP-FMxxxxL20XXS-XXXXT

3

© 2011 Apacer Technology Inc.

Rev. 1.1

1. General Description

Apacer’s ATA-Disk Module (ADM) is a high-performance, embedded flash drive designed to replace the

conventional IDE hard disk drive. The ADMs can be plugged into a standard IDE connector commonly

found in desktops, IT-STB, industrial PCs and thin client systems. Apacer’s ADM SSD has a built-in

microcontroller with file management firmware that communicates with the ATA standard interfaces. No

additional or proprietary host software is required.

Well suited for embedded flash storage applications by offering new and expanded functionalities as well

as more cost-effective designs, better performance and increased reliability, ADM is designed to work at

either 5 or 3.3 Volts, supports the standard ATA/IDE protocol for up to PIO Mode-4, Multiword DMA

Mode-2 and Ultra DMA Mode-6 interfaces, and uses the standard ATA driver complying with all major

operating systems such as Microsoft’s Windows series, Apple’s Mac OS family, and Unix variants.

Featuring technologies as Advanced Wear-leveling algorithms, S.M.A.R.T, Enhanced Data Integrity,

Intelligent Power Failure Recovery, Secure Protection Zone and ATA Secure Erase, Apacer’s ADM

assures users of a versatile device on data storage.

1.1 Performance-Optimized Controller

The kernel of an ATA-Disk Module is the ATA controller, which translates standard ATA signals into the

data and controls of the flash media. This proprietary ATA controller is specifically designed to attain high

data throughput from the host to the flash.

1.1.1 Power Management Unit (PMU)

The power management unit (PMU) controls the power consumption of the ATA-Disk Module. It reduces

the power consumption of the ATA-Disk Module Controller by putting circuitry not in operation into sleep

mode. The PMU has zero wake-up latency.

1.1.2 SRAM Buffer

The ATA-Disk Module Controller performs as an SRAM buffer to optimize the host’s data transfer to and

from the flash media.