RoHS Compliant
Value Added ATA Flash Drive
Specification for AFD
183
Mar 18, 2011
Version 1.2
Apacer Technology Inc.
4
th
Fl., 75 Xintai 5
th
Rd., Sec.1, Hsichih, New Taipei City, 221, Taiwan
Tel: +886-2-2698-2888 Fax: +886-2-2698-2889
www.apacer.com
Value Added ATA Flash Drive
AP-FD18A20BxxxxxR-XXX
1
© 2011 Apacer Technology Inc. Rev. 1.2
Features:
Standard ATA/IDE bus interface
ATA command set compatible
ATA operating mode supports up to:
PIO Mode-4
Multiword DMA Mode-2
Ultra DMA Mode-4
Connector type
40-pin ZIF
Low power consumption (typical)
Supply voltage: 3.3V
Active mode: 75mA
Sleep mode: 2000µA
Performance
Sustained read: Up to 35 MB/sec
Sustained write: Up to 15 MB/sec
Capacity
1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 GB
NAND Flash Type: SLC
Temperature ranges
Operation:
Standard: 0°C to 70°C
ET
1
: -40°C to 85°C
Storage: -4C to 100°C
Flash management
Intelligent endurance design
Advanced wear-leveling algorithms
S.M.A.R.T. Technology
Built-in Hardware ECC
Enhanced Data Integrity
Intelligent power failure recovery
Enhanced security level
Secure Protection Zone
ATA Secure Erase
RoHS compliant
1. Extended Temperature
Value Added ATA Flash Drive
AP-FD18A20BxxxxxR-XXX
2
© 2011 Apacer Technology Inc. Rev. 1.2
Table of Contents
1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION........................................................................................3
1.1 Performance-Optimized Controller......................................................................................................3
1.1.1 Power Management Unit (PMU)...................................................................................................3
1.1.2 SRAM Buffer.................................................................................................................................3
2. FUNCTIONAL BLOCK...............................................................................................4
3. PIN ASSIGNMENTS...................................................................................................5
4. CAPACITY SPECIFICATION .....................................................................................6
4.1 Performance Specification ..................................................................................................................6
4.2 Environmental Specification................................................................................................................6
5. FLASH MANAGEMENT.............................................................................................7
5.1 Intelligent Endurance Design ..............................................................................................................7
5.1.1 Advanced wear-leveling algorithms..............................................................................................7
5.1.2 S.M.A.R.T. technology..................................................................................................................7
5.1.3 Built-in hardware ECC ..................................................................................................................7
5.1.4 Enhanced data integrity................................................................................................................7
5.2 Intelligent Power Failure Recovery......................................................................................................8
5.3 Enhanced Security Level.....................................................................................................................8
5.3.1 Secure protection zone.................................................................................................................8
5.3.2 ATA Secure Erase........................................................................................................................8
6. SOFTWARE INTERFACE .........................................................................................9
6.1 Command Set......................................................................................................................................9
7. ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATION...............................................................................11
8. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS.............................................................................12
8.1 Dimension..........................................................................................................................................12
9. PRODUCT ORDERING INFORMATION..................................................................1 3
9.1 Product Code Designation ................................................................................................................13
9.2 Valid Combinations............................................................................................................................14
Value Added ATA Flash Drive
AP-FD18A20BxxxxxR-XXX
3
© 2011 Apacer Technology Inc. Rev. 1.2
1. General Description
Apacer’s ATA-Flash Drive (AFD) is a high-performance, solid state drive (SSD) designed to replace a
conventional IDE hard disk drive. AFD supports standard ATA/IDE protocol and can be plugged into a ZIF
connector commonly found in portable PCs. It is more rugged, reliable and power-efficient compared to
the mechanical hard drive and is designed for use in rugged laptops, military devices, thin clients, Point of
Sale (POS) terminals, telecom, medical instruments, surveillance systems and industrials PCs. Apacer
AFD Series is the best drop-in replacement for high-maintenance HDD where reliability is a major
concern.
AFD includes a built-in microcontroller and file management firmware that communicates through with the
ATA standard interfaces and is set to the Master operation in default. This means the AFD does not
require any additional or proprietary host software such as the Flash File System (FFS) and Memory
Technology Driver (MTD) software. AFD is designed to work at 3.3 Volts, support the standard ATA/IDE
protocol up to PIO Mode-4, Multiword DMA Mode-2, and Ultra DMA Mode-4 interfaces and uses a
standard ATA driver that fits to all major operating systems such as Microsoft’s Windows series, MAC OS,
and UNIX variants.
Featuring technologies as Advanced Wear-leveling algorithms, S.M.A.R.T, Built-In Hardware ECC,
Enhanced Data Integrity, Intelligent Power Failure Recovery, Secure Protection Zone and ATA Secure
Erase, Apacer’s AFD assures users of a versatile device on data storage.
1.1 Performance-Optimized Controller
The heart of an ATA-Flash Drive is the ATA controller, which translates standard ATA signals into the
Flash Media 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-Flash Drive. It reduces
the power consumption of the ATA-Flash Drive Controller by putting circuitry not in operation into sleep
mode. The PMU has zero wake-up latency.
1.1.2 SRAM Buffer
The ATA Flash Drive Controller performs as an SRAM buffer to optimize the host’s data transfer to and
from the flash media.
Value Added ATA Flash Drive
AP-FD18A20BxxxxxR-XXX
4
© 2011 Apacer Technology Inc. Rev. 1.2
2. Functional Block
The ATA-Flash Drive (AFD) includes the ATA controller and flash media, as well as the ATA standard
interface. Figure 2-1 shows the functional block diagram.
Figure 2-1: Functional block diagram
ATA
Controller
Flash
Media
Flash
Media
Flash
Media
Flash
Media
Flash Array
HOST
ATA/IDE Bus
.
.
.
Value Added ATA Flash Drive
AP-FD18A20BxxxxxR-XXX
5
© 2011 Apacer Technology Inc. Rev. 1.2
3. Pin Assignments
Table 3-1 lists the pin assignments with respective signal names for the 40-pin configuration. A #” suffix
indicates the active low signal. The pin type can be input, output or input/output.
Table 3-1: Pin assignment
Pin No.
SIGNALS Pin No.
SIGNALS
1 Reserved 21 GROUND
2 Reserved 22 DMARQ
3 RESET# 23 GROUND
4 GROUND 24 DIOW#
5 DD 7 25 DIOR#
6 DD 8 26 GROUND
7 DD 6 27 IORDY
8 DD 9 28 GROUND
9 DD 5 29 DMACK#
10 DD 10 30 INTRQ
11 DD 4 31 A1
12 DD 11 32 PDIAG#
13 DD 3 33 A0
14 DD 12 34 A2
15 DD 2 35 CS0#
16 DD 13 36 CS1#
17 DD 1 37 DASP#
18 DD 14 38 3.3V
19 DD 0 39 3.3V
20 DD 15 40 CSEL
Value Added ATA Flash Drive
AP-FD18A20BxxxxxR-XXX
6
© 2011 Apacer Technology Inc. Rev. 1.2
4. Capacity Specification
Capacity specification of the ATA-Flash Drive (AFD) product family is available in Table 4-1. It lists the
specific capacity and the default numbers of cylinder heads, sectors and cylinders for each product line.
Table 4-1: Capacity specification
Capacity Total bytes Cylinders Heads Sectors Max LBA
1GB 1,024,966,656 1986 16 63 2,001,888
2GB 2,048,385,024 3969 16 63 4,000,752
4GB 4,096,253,952 7937 16 63 8,000,496
8GB 8,001,552,384 15504 16 63 15,628,032
16 GB 16,001,040,384 16383 16 63 31,252,032
1
32 GB 32,001,048,576 16383 16 63 62,502,048
1
1 Cylinders, heads or sectors are not applicable for these capacities. Only LBA addressing applies.
4.1 Performance Specification
Performance of the ATA-Flash Disk is listed in Table 4-2.
Table 4-2: Performance specifications
Capacity
Performance 1GB / 2GB / 4GB 8 GB 16GB / 32 GB
Sustained read (MB/s) 25 35 35
Sustained write (MB/s) 7 10 15
1. Above figures measured based on flash configurations.
4.2 Environmental Specification
Environmental specification of the ATA-Flash Drive which follows the MIL-STD-810F standards is
available as shown in Table 4-3.
Table 4-3: Environmental specifications
Environment Specification
Operation C to 70°C; -40°C to 85°C (ET
1
)
Temperature Storage -40°C to 100°C
Humidity 5% to 95% RH (Non-condensing)
Vibration (Non-Operation) Sine wave: 10~2000Hz, 15G (X, Y, Z axes)
Shock (Non-Operation) Half sine wave, Peak acceleration 50 G, 11 ms (X, Y, Z ; All 6 axes)
1. Extended Temperature
Value Added ATA Flash Drive
AP-FD18A20BxxxxxR-XXX
7
© 2011 Apacer Technology Inc. Rev. 1.2
5. Flash Management
5.1 Intelligent Endurance Design
5.1.1 Advanced wear-leveling algorithms
The NAND flash devices are limited by a certain number of write cycles. When using a file system,
frequent file table updates is mandatory. If some area on the flash wears out faster than others, it would
significantly reduce the lifetime of the whole device, even if the erase counts of others are far from the
write cycle limit. Thus, if the write cycles can be distributed evenly across the media, the lifetime of the
media can be prolonged significantly. The scheme is achieved both via buffer management and Apacer-
specific advanced wear leveling to ensure that the lifetime of the flash media can be increased, and the
disk access performance is optimized as well.
5.1.2 S.M.A.R.T. technology
S.M.A.R.T. is an acronym for Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology, an open standard
allowing disk drives to automatically monitor their own health and report potential problems. It protects the
user from unscheduled downtime by monitoring and storing critical drive performance and calibration
parameters. Ideally, this should allow taking proactive actions to prevent impending drive failure. Apacer
SMART feature adopts the standard SMART command B0h to read data from the drive. When the Apacer
SMART Utility running on the host, it analyzes and reports the disk status to the host before the device is
in critical condition.
5.1.3 Built-in hardware ECC
The ATA-Flash Drive uses BCH Error Detection Code (EDC) and Error Correction Code (ECC) algorithms
which correct up to eight random single-bit errors for each 512-byte block of data. High performance is
fulfilled through hardware-based error detection and correction.
5.1.4 Enhanced data integrity
The properties of NAND flash memory make it ideal for applications that require high integrity while
operating in challenging environments. The integrity of data to NAND flash memory is generally
maintained through ECC algorithms and bad block management. Flash controllers can support up to 8
bits ECC capability for accuracy of data transactions, and bad block management is a preventive
mechanism from loss of data by retiring unusable media blocks and relocating the data to the other blocks,
along with the integration of advanced wear leveling algorithms, so that the lifespan of device can be
expanded.
Value Added ATA Flash Drive
AP-FD18A20BxxxxxR-XXX
8
© 2011 Apacer Technology Inc. Rev. 1.2
5.2 Intelligent Power Failure Recovery
The Low Power Detection on the controller initiates cached data saving before the power supply to the
device is too low. This feature prevents the device from crash and ensures data integrity during an
unexpected blackout. Once power was failure before cached data writing back into flash, data in the
cache will lost. The next time the power is on, the controller will check these fragmented data segment,
and, if necessary, replace them with old data kept in flash until programmed successfully.
5.3 Enhanced Security Level
5.3.1 Secure protection zone
Partitioning with static commands to logically secure data, protection zones are the solid frameworks of
file vaults. 3 different types of zones, unprotected, read-only, and restricted, are offered for effortless
administration. When the product is shipped out of Apacer, all sectors are in the unprotected zone, which
means there is no control on any data transaction. For further management control, the read-only zone
can be set to be accessed exclusively for grantees, and the restricted zone, to be as the maximum
security stockade with full administration privilege required. A maximum of 4 zones can be configured as
either restricted or read-only zone presenting concurrently. The space outside these 4 zones is
automatically in the unprotected zone if available. After the zone has been configured, the protection zone
can be de-activated or re-activated by either software methods or hardware components. Protection zone
configuration is non-volatile and it will be in effect until the next set of configuration overwrites it.
5.3.2 ATA Secure Erase
Accomplished by the Secure Erase (SE) command, which added to the open ANSI standards that control
disk drives, “ATA Secure Erase” is built into the disk drive itself and thus far less susceptible to malicious
software attacks than external software utilities. It is a positive easy-to-use data destroy command,
amounting to electronic data shredding. Executing the command causes a drive to internally completely
erase all possible user data. This command is carried out within disk drives, so no additional software is
required. Once executed, neither data nor the erase counter on the device would be recoverable, which
blurs the accuracy of device lifespan. The process to erase will not be stopped until finished while
encountering power failure, and will be continued when power is back on.
Value Added ATA Flash Drive
AP-FD18A20BxxxxxR-XXX
9
© 2011 Apacer Technology Inc. Rev. 1.2
6. Software Interface
6.1 Command Set
This section defines the software requirements and the format of the commands the host sends to the
ATA-Flash Drive (AFD). Commands are issued to the AFD by loading the required registers in the
command block with the supplied parameters, and then writing the command code to the Command
register. The manner in which a command is accepted varies.
Table 6-1: Command set (1 of 2)
Command Code FR
1
SC
2
SN
3
CY
4
DH
5
LBA
6
Check-Power-Mode E5H or 98H - - - - D
8
-
Execute-Drive-Diagnostic 90H - - - - D -
Erase Sector(s) C0H - Y Y Y Y Y
Flush-Cache E7H - - - - D -
Format Track 50H - Y
7
- Y Y
8
Y
Identify-Drive ECH - - - - D -
Idle E3H or 97H - Y - - D -
Idle-Immediate E1H or 95H - - - - D -
Initialize-Drive-Parameters 91H - Y - - Y -
NOP 00H - - - - D -
Read-Buffer E4H - - - - D -
Read-DMA C8H or C9H - Y Y Y Y Y
Read-Multiple C4H - Y Y Y Y Y
Read-Sector(s) 20H or 21H - Y Y Y Y Y
Read-Verify-Sector(s) 40H or 41H - Y Y Y Y Y
Recalibrate 1XH - - - - D -
Request-Sense 03H - - - - D -
Security-Disable-Password F6H - - - - D -
Security-Erase-Prepare F3H - - - - D -
Security-Erase-Unit F4H - - - - D -
Security-Freeze-Lock F5H - - - - D -
Security-Set-Password F1H - - - - D -
Security-Unlock F2H - - - - D -
Seek 7XH - - Y Y Y Y
Set-Features EFH Y
7
- - - D -
Value Added ATA Flash Drive
AP-FD18A20BxxxxxR-XXX
10
© 2011 Apacer Technology Inc. Rev. 1.2
Table 6-1: Command set (2 of 2)
Command Code FR
1
SC
2
SN
3
CY
4
DH
5
LBA
6
SMART B0H Y Y Y Y D
Set-Multiple-Mode C6H - Y - - D -
Set-Sleep-Mode E6H or 99H - - - - D -
Standby E2H or 96H - - - - D -
Standby-lmmediate E0H or 94H - - - - D -
Translate-Sector 87H - Y Y Y Y Y
Write-Buffer E8H - - - - D -
Write-DMA CAH or CBH - Y Y Y Y Y
Write-Multiple C5H - Y Y Y Y Y
Write-Multiple-Without-Erase CDH - Y Y Y Y Y
Write-Sector(s) 30H or 31H - Y Y Y Y Y
Write-Sector-Without-Erase 38H - Y Y Y Y Y
Write-Verify 3CH - Y Y Y Y Y
1. FR - Features register
2. SC - Sector Count register
3. SN - Sector Number register
4. CY - Cylinder registers
5. DH - Drive/Head register
6. LBA - Logical Block Address mode supported (see command descriptions for use)
7. Y - The register contains a valid parameter for this command.
8. For the Drive/Head register:
Y means both the ATA-Flash Drive and Head parameters are used
D means only the ATA-Flash Drive parameter is valid and not the Head parameter
Value Added ATA Flash Drive
AP-FD18A20BxxxxxR-XXX
11
© 2011 Apacer Technology Inc. Rev. 1.2
7. Electrical Specification
Caution: Absolute Maximum Stress Ratings Applied conditions greater than those listed under
“Absolute Maximum Stress Ratings” may cause permanent damage to the device. This is a stress rating
only and functional operation of the device at these conditions or conditions greater than those defined in
the operational sections of this data sheet is not implied. Exposure to absolute maximum stress rating
conditions may affect device reliability.
Table 7-1: Operating voltage
Range Ambient Temperature 3.3V
Standard C to 70°C
Extended Temperature -40°C to 85°C 3.135-3.465V
Table 7-2: Absolute maximum power pin stress ratings
Parameter Symbol Conditions
Input Power V
DD
-0.3V min. to 6.5V max.
Voltage on any pin except V
DD
with respect to GND V -0.5V min. to VDD + 0.5V max.
Table 7-3: Recommended system power-up timings
Symbol Parameter Typical Maximum Units
T
PU-READY1
Power-up to Ready Operation 200 1000 ms
T
PU-WRITE1
Power-up to Write Operation 200 1000 ms
1. This parameter is measured only for initial qualification and after a design or process change that could affect this parameter.
Value Added ATA Flash Drive
AP-FD18A20BxxxxxR-XXX
12
© 2011 Apacer Technology Inc. Rev. 1.2
8. Physical Characteristics
8.1 Dimension
Unit: mm
Value Added ATA Flash Drive
AP-FD18A20BxxxxxR-XXX
13
© 2011 Apacer Technology Inc. Rev. 1.2
9. Product Ordering Information
9.1 Product Code Designation
A P – FD18 A 2 0 B xxxxx R – X X X
1.8 inch ATA Flash Drive
Apacer Product Code
Controller Type
PCB Version
RoHS Compliant
Capacity
:
0001G: 1GB
0002G: 2GB
0004G 4GB
0008G: 8GB
0016G: 16GB
0032G : 32GB
FW Version
Flash Type
Ou
tline
180D
Product Type
T
emperature
:
Blank: Standard
W: Wild Temp
Value Added ATA Flash Drive
AP-FD18A20BxxxxxR-XXX
14
© 2011 Apacer Technology Inc. Rev. 1.2
9.2 Valid Combinations
Capacity Model Number
1GB AP-FD18A20B0001GR-KS
2GB AP-FD18A20B0002GR-KS
4GB AP-FD18A20B0004GR-KS
8GB AP-FD18A20B0008GR-KS
16GB AP-FD18A20B0016GR-KS
32GB AP-FD18A20B0032GR-KT
Value Added ATA Flash Drive
AP-FD18A20BxxxxxR-XXX
15
© 2011 Apacer Technology Inc. Rev. 1.2
Revision History
Revision Date Description Remark
1.0 01/20/2009 Official release
1.1 02/11/2009 Modified document layout
1.2 03/18/2011 Updated Performance Specification
& Product
Ordering Information
Value Added ATA Flash Drive
AP-FD18A20BxxxxxR-XXX
16
© 2011 Apacer Technology Inc. Rev. 1.2
Global Presence
Taiwan (Headquarters)
Apacer Technology Inc.
4
th
Fl., 75 Xintai 5
th
Rd., Sec.1
Hsichih, New Taipei City, 221
Taiwan, R.O.C.
Tel: +886-2-2698-2888
Fax: +886-2-2698-2889
amtsales@apacer.com
U.S.A.
Apacer Memory America, Inc.
386 Fairview Way, Suite102,
Milpitas, CA 95035
Tel: 1-408-586-1291
Fax: 1-408-935-9611
sa@apacerus.com
Japan
Apacer Technology Corp.
5F, Matsura Bldg., Shiba, Minato-Ku
Tokyo, 105-0014, Japan
Tel: 81-3-5419-2668
Fax: 81-3-5419-0018
jpservices@apacer.com
Europe
Apacer Technology B.V.
Aziëlaan 22,
5232 BA 's-Hertogenbosch,
The Netherlands
Tel: 31-73-645-9620
Fax: 31-73-645-9629
sales@apacer.nl
China
Apacer Electronic (Shanghai) Co., Ltd
1301, No.251,Xiaomuqiao Road, Shanghai,
200032, China
Tel: 86-21-5529-0222
Fax: 86-21-5206-6939
sales@apacer.com.cn
India
Apacer Technologies Pvt Ltd,
#1064, 1st Floor, 7th ‘A’ Main,
3rd Block Koramangala, Bangalore – 560 034
Tel: +91 80 4152 9061/62/63
Fax: +91 80 4170 0215
sales_india@apacer.com
Mouser Electronics
Authorized Distributor
Click to View Pricing, Inventory, Delivery & Lifecycle Information:
Apacer:
AP-FD18A20B0001GR-KS AP-FD18A20B0001GR-KSW AP-FD18A20B0002GR-KS AP-FD18A20B0002GR-KSW
AP-FD18A20B0004GR-KS AP-FD18A20B0004GR-KSW AP-FD18A20B0008GR-KS AP-FD18A20B0008GR-KSW
AP-FD18A20B0016GR-KS AP-FD18A20B0016GR-KSW AP-FD18A20B0004GKS