SATA-Disk Module 4
APSDMxxxx15XX-PXX
3
© 2013 Apacer Technology Inc. Rev. 1.4
1. General Description
Apacer’s SATA-Disk Module 4 (SDM4) is a high-performance, embedded SSD designed to replace the
conventional SATA hard disk drive. SDM SSD can be plugged into a standard Serial ATA connectors
commonly found in desktops, IT-STB, industrial PC and thin client systems. Moreover, SDM4 provides an
innovative way for design-in clients with compact host systems.
Apacer’s SDM4 has a built-in microcontroller with file management firmware that communicates with
SATA standard interface. This product is well suited for embedded flash storage applications offering new
and expanded functionalities as well as more cost-effective designs, better performance and increased
reliability.
SDM4 Series is designed to work at 5 Volts and uses a standard SATA driver that complies with major
operating systems such as Microsoft’s Windows series. Featuring technologies as Apacer-specific Wear-
leveling algorithms, S.M.A.R.T, bad block management, Power Failure Management, ATA Secure Erase,
and TRIM, Apacer assures users of a versatile device on data storage.
This SDM4 SSD is designed to be rugged for industrial applications where harsh, demanding
environments are often encountered, and has gone through environmental testings such as shock, wide
temperature range and ESD. Our SSDs meet international standards and we specialized in customization
services in both hardware and systems.
Our customization services include:
Product change notification (PCN)
1
Pre-installed software, custom software imaging and ID strings
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Customize packaging and labeling
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Specified testing
2
Safety packaging, such as ESD protection pad, honeycomb-cut packing in sponge, or other types of
protection.
Field Application Engineers in our overseas branches for technical support
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Usually notified by our sales representatives or product managers, instead of on packages.
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Depending on specified requests
1.1 Performance-Optimized Controller
The heart of SDM4 is the Flash controller, which translates standard SATA signals into the data and
controls of the flash media. The SATA and Flash Management controller are specifically designed to
attain high data throughput from the host to the flash.
1.1.1 Power Management
The controller comes with SATA physical interface (PHY) that takes a significant part of the total power
budget of the host or other connected electronics. SATA interface provides the means to place the PHY
into lowered power modes. When the parts of power for PHY are shut down to reserve power supply, the
ability of the SATA interfaced device to respond to command can be affected. Thus, the SATA protocol is
implemented with the capability to track the power modes of the devices and require the additional
latency to wake up PHY from lowered power modes.
1.1.2 RAM
The controller is implemented with RAM as a data buffer to optimize data transfer between the host and
the flash media.