The SATA requirement, out in 2002, conducted in a new era of drive transfer speeds and connectivity. This requirement used a new cabling scheme which given for much easier system design when considering thermal factors, cabling routes and space requirements. There were almost no disadvantages when compared to previous EIDE ribbon cables of earlier drive specification.

Cable Length

1. The SATA requirement permitted for significantly longer cable lengths than EIDE standard previous to it. SATA cable permitted for lengths of up to 1 meter, 3.3 feet, while EIDE cable was restricted to just 18 inches. This development later permitted for bigger system framework to be intended with execution of a new external specification using SATA protocol as its cabling medium, rather than USB or fire wire.

Cable Size

2. The SATA specification calls for a cable with seven conductors, three ground wires and two pairs for data transfer. This is a big efficiency when compared to EIDE standard of 80 wires necessary. Then cable itself was many times smaller in overall width because of its modular design. This modification became of great importance as airflow within PC framework has become a main consideration given devices which create large volumes of heat.

Cable Construction

3. Not like EIDE cables that utilize a flat ribbon, the SATA specification called for two pairs of twisted data conductors. This design requirement is significant as twisted pair execution decreases "noise" or cross-talk between data circuit's wires. This development of noise-to-signal ratios permitted for much higher transfer speeds to be recognized when standard was legally implemented and released.

These cables also used a differential signaling technology that send data to be moved across data circuits in a predetermined manner to limit noise. This is reason they have two pairs of data conductors.

Locking and Blade Connectors

4. Because of their smaller size, a main worry expressed to SATA cable was that of unintentional unplugging. To answer this worry, the cables are intended with a locking notch just after seventh conductor. This locking notch permits for a safe and secure means to maintain cable connected. Then this locking connector has been intended into "blades" that mix the power and data cable into one solid connector, which is protected through a locking notch on every connection. These are most frequently utilized on blade servers in which space for cabling is at a priority.

Hot Swapping

5. The probably benefits of SATA cables were the capability to "hot swap." With earlier cabling and drive protocols were necessary to shut down machine in drive installation or removal. With SATA cabling and protocol, though, using "blade" connectors just unplug or plug in a SATA drive and get 100 percent operation without a reboot. The only necessity for this aspect is that SATA controller support AHCI, or advanced host controller interface specification. This specification is typical in virtually all drive controllers as late 2009.