This article is out of date, but may still be useful to some readers.
Fast ATA and Fast ATA-2
Seagate Technology
920 Disc Drive
Scotts Valley, CA 95066-4544
408-438-6550
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Fast ATA is the designation given to computer technology and products that support high-speed data transfers resulting from the implementation of the ANSI standardized Programmed Input/Output (PIO) Mode 3 and multi-word Direct Memory Access (DMA) Mode 1 protocols. System and disc drive manufacturers who implement the PIO Mode 3 and multi-word DMA Mode 1 can offer products capable of transferring data up to a maximum of 11. 1 or 13.3 Mbytes per second.
Fast ATA-2 is similarly designated for products that support ANSI PIO Mode 4 and multi-word DMA Mode 2 protocols. System and disc drive manufacturers who implement the PIO Mode 4 or multi-word DMA Mode 2 can offer computer and disc drive products that handle data transfers of up to 16.6 Mbytes per second.
Fast ATA simply means faster data transfer rates. As with SCSI, there are different implementations of the ATA (AT Attachment, which is also referred to as IDE) interface. The names given to the various SCSI standard protocols include Fast SCSI-2, Wide SCSI-2 and SCSI-3, and so forth. ATA protocols are differentiated with the Fast ATA and Fast ATA-2 designation. End-users and systems designers alike can easily identify with the principal benefit of each implementation: faster data transfer rates, as visually demonstrated by the following graphic:
Fast ATA and Fast ATA-2 are easy to implement in either VESA or PCI local bus computer systems. The hardware connection can be made using a standard 40-pin ATA ribbon cable from the drive to a host adapter. Direct connection to the motherboard is possible and further eases integration when provided by the motherboard supplier or system manufacturer. Once connected, the high data-transfer capabilities of Fast ATA can be enabled through the data-transfer options found in most CMOS BIOS setup tables. Newer versions of most BIOS provide automatic configuration for Fast ATA drives.
Systems with motherboards that do not support the full transfer capabilities of Fast ATA or Fast ATA-2 drives can be upgraded through flash BIOS, if equipped, or by using Fast ATA or Fast ATA-2 host adapters equipped with their own BIOS. Seagate Fast ATA or Fast ATA-2 disc drives are fully backward compatible with older ATA (I DE) systems. If a Fast ATA or Fast ATA-2 disc drive is attached to a motherboard that does not support PIO mode 3 or 4 or multiword DMA mode 1 or 2, the data transfer rate is limited to the capabilities of the motherboard. Detailed technical information, including industry specifications, cycle timing diagrams, and a list of supporting companies is available from the Fast ATA and Fast ATA-2 Sourcebook (listed in the resource section).
Seagate's full line of 3.5-inch disc drives for desktop PCs and 2.5-inch disc drives for mobile PCs support Fast ATA and Fast ATA-2, with capacities ranging from 131 Mbytes to 1.08 Gbytes.
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