Connectors and cables present the most obvious differences between SATA and parallel ATA drives. PATA, except the same connectors using a 3.5-inch (89 mm) SATA hard disks for desktop and server computers and 2.5-inch (64 mm) disks for portable or small computers.
Standard SATA data and power connector 1.27 mm (0.050 ") spacing between conductors.
A smaller mini SATA or msata connector is used in smaller devices such as 1.8 "SATA drive, DVD and Blu-ray drives and mini strategic sewage disposal scheme.
A special eSATA connector for an external device and specify the clip hold internal connectors firmly in place (optional) the implementation provisions. SATA drives may be plugged into SAS controllers and communicate on the same physical cable as native SAS disks, but SATA controllers cannot handle SAS disks.
Female SATA ports (for example) to have locks or clips on to prevent accidental unplug the SATA data cable. Some SATA cables have a right-angle connector, to ease the connection to the circuit board.
SATA standard define with seven conductors (3 grounds and 4 active data lines in two pairs) data cable and 8 mm wide wafer connectors on each end. SATA cables can have lengths of 1 m (3.3 ft), and connect one motherboard socket to one hard drive. PATA ribbon cables, in comparison, connect one motherboard socket to one or two hard drives, carry 40 or 80 wires, and are limited to 45 centimeters (18 inches) in length by the PATA specification (However, cables up to 90 cm (35 in) are available at any time). Thus, SATA connectors and cables are easy to fit in closed spaces and reduce obstructions to air cooling. They are better than PATA, easier to accidentally pull out and tear but can purchase cable with locking function, to small (usually metal) spring Plug and socket.
SATA connectors straight and right angle or slant to the left. Angled connectors allow lower profile to connect. Right angle (also known as 90 degrees) led on the circuit board connector side immediately from the drive and cable. The left (also known as 270 degrees) connector lead cables across the top of the drive.
Associated with the electrical connection of high speed data transmission is described as one of the problems of noise, this electrical coupling between data and other circuits. Therefore, data circuits will also affect other circuits, and regulated. Designers use technology to reduce the adverse effects of such unintentional coupling. A technique used in SATA links is differential signaling. This is enhanced to PATA, uses single-ended signaling. Use fully shielded double AX conductors with multiple ground connections for each differential for improved isolation between the channels and reduce the possibility of data loss in a difficult electrical environment.