Synopsys Reduces IP Integration Risk With Extensive SATA-IO Interoperability Testing

SATA-IO defines interoperability testing as the gold standard of compliance for the SATA specification. To be awarded SATA-IO interoperability, the IP must pass more than 200 tests that span electrical, digital and system interoperability. The stringent electrical tests stress the transmitter, receiver and signal integrity characteristics to verify precise signal voltage levels and jitter budget. The tests utilize some of the most sophisticated and complex test equipment available. To maintain an exemplary level of interoperability, the digital protocol tests are designed to ensure proper protocol communication across a wide range of devices. The IP is run against five separate systems that have been handpicked by the SATA-IO as representative of gold standard devices.

Synopsys offers designers a complete, silicon-proven and fully interoperable SATA IP solution consisting of the device, host, PHY and verification IP. The DesignWare SATA Host Controller includes a native high performance AMBA® 3 AXI® subsystem interface which supports eight SATA 6-Gb/s ports per controller. The DesignWare SATA Device Controller utilizes a hybrid hardware/software programming model optimized for SSD applications enabling high operational performance with minimum processor overhead. Complementing the Host and Device Controllers is the robust, low power DesignWare SATA PHY, which includes unique built-in diagnostics allowing on-chip visibility into the link performance and ATE test vectors for at-speed production testing.

Based on Allion's experience and expertise with other compliance and interoperability programs, the SATA interoperability testing process is by far the most complete in its coverage of the specification and the hardest to pass, said James Ou, director of engineering at Allion. The Synopsys SATA IP products excelled in compliance to the SATA specification with high margin in all electrical tests and displayed strict adherence to the digital protocol requirements. The ease to which the DesignWare SATA IP passed the interoperability testing reflects Synopsys' deep understanding of the SATA specification and its strict requirements.

Next-generation SSD's are driving significant advancements into the storage market such as higher bandwidth, enhanced power efficiency and increased reliability, said John Koeter, vice president of the Solutions Group at Synopsys. Synopsys' high-quality, silicon-proven IP solutions help designers quickly implement the latest SATA functionality and meet their design requirements with less risk and improved time-to-market.