The SATA pin 8 power technology
1. What is SATA pin 8 power about?
The SATA pin 8 power technology is an invention based on the idea of a SATA DOM memory without a power providing cable.
However, between the "pure SATA 7 pin data connector" and the "connector with built-in power supply thanks to SATA pin 8 power", there was an intermediate step. More details in the following.
Options of power supply:
1 With an external power cable
2 Via SATA pin 7 technology
3 Via SATA pin 8 power technology
1.1 "Predecessor": The pin 7 technology
Until the year 2012, the SATA 7 pin connector was purely a data connector. In summer 2012, the SATA specification was extended by the pin 7 technology and released. From 2014 on, products corresponding to this extension were commercially available. With the pin 7 technology, power is routed to the seventh pin that was occupied by GND up until then, and was responsible for grounding. Figuratively speaking, the pin 7 technology means a kind of bridge between "pure data connector" and "power on pin 8".
With pin 7 technology, the SATA DOM memory was freed from the power cable. In general, the SATA DOM memory can be connected to the host either directly or by cable. The pin 7 power technology redefines the seventh pin for power supply. So it is a built-in power pin which carries electricity to the memory drive. SATA DOM with 7 pin technology are used for example in Intel server boards. Higher stability and failure safety of SATA DOM modules are said to be further advantages of the 7 pin power technology.
1.2 The succeeding technology: SATA pin 8 power
Main feature of the SATA pin 8 power technology (Pin 8 Vcc) is, power and data are led through one and the same connector, in this way there is a consistency with the SATA pin 7 technology. On the other hand there is a structural difference in design between a SATA 7 pin connector with 7 pin technology and SATA pin 8 power connector: the latter has two additional pins at the sides of the drive connector. These pins do not only serve as power supply but also create a rugged physical connection between the SSD and the mainboard. This stability improves the reliability of the whole system.
Because of the absence of an additional cable, the development of more compact modules is possible. Further advantages are easier installation and better airflow in the enclosure because no longer some cable interferes. Heat dissipation is an important criterion especially with embedded systems and servers that are constructed often with small enclosures and frequently produce a lot of heat.
Currently, this technology is mainly applied in the area of industry or servers, for example in rackmount server enclosures, or in Embedded-Low-Profile systems.
2. Which circumstances make SATA pin 8 power necessary?
Case 1 - Most common: The user has a PC with a mainboard without a SATA pin 8 power memory slot. This user is dependent on a usual SATA 7 pin connector. He will look for a solution with a cable or a slot bracket in order to connect a SATA DOM memory externally.
Case 2 - Also possible: The user has a PC with a mainboard supporting SATA pin 8 power. But the memory slot is hard to reach or blocked. In this case the user will look for a solution to extend the connection internally.
3. Practical examples based on Delock products
With these products, Delock offers different internal and external solutions in order to connect the memory module with the mainboard. Variants with cable as well as slot brackets play a part. The power supply is made possible in different ways, see below.
3.1 Example of an external solution
Example with Item 84949 Slot bracket SATA 6 Gb/s 7 pin receptacle + Molex 2 pin power plug internal > SATA male pin 8 power external
STARTING POINT Inside the PC is a mainboard with a usual SATA connector. Now the task is to connect a SATA pin 8 DOM memory to the PC externally.
SOLUTION This slot bracket has a usual SATA 7 pin receptacle which can be connected to the mainboard internally. The Molex 2 pin power plug is for power supply. With its SATA pin 8 power plug, this slot bracket makes the external connection of a SATA DOM memory possible that supports pin 8 power. The latch function guarantees secure grip of the module.
3.2 Example of an internal solution
Example with Item 84946 Extension cable SATA 6 Gb/s 8 pin receptacle > SATA plug pin 8 power
STARTING POINT Inside the PC is a mainboard with a SATA pin 8 power connector. There is a need to connect a SATA pin 8 DOM memory internally. But in this case, it is not possible to plug the memory directly in the mainboard.
SOLUTION With this cable, an extension of the SATA connection up to 30 centimeters is made possible. The first cable end with its SATA receptacle can be connected to the yellow SATA DOM connector at the mainboard. The second cable end with its SATA plug with pin 8 power can be led to the SATA DOM memory and connected with it internally. Thanks to the latch function, the connection is secured. This cable solution is ideally suited if, for example, the access to the SATA port is hard to reach.
4. Delock products with SATA pin 8 power
Following products are exclusively available at Delock.
Slot bracket SATA 6 Gb/s 7 pin receptacle + Molex 2 pin power plug internal > SATA male pin 8 power external
Connectors:
1 x SATA 6 Gb/s 7 pin receptacle +
1 x Molex 2 pin power plug >
1 x SATA 6 Gb/s plug pin 8 power with latch function
Data transfer rate up to 6 Gb/s
Downwards compatible to SATA 1.5 Gb/s and 3 Gb/s
Voltage: 5 V
Cable gauge:
26 AWG data line
18 AWG power line
Cable length without connectors:
SATA data cable: ca. 60 cm
Molex power cable: ca. 30 cm
Extension cable SATA 6 Gb/s 8 pin receptacle > SATA plug with pin 8 power with latch function
Connectors:
1 x SATA 6 Gb/s 8 pin receptacle >
1 x SATA 6 Gb/s plug pin 8 power with latch function
Data transfer rate up to 6 Gb/s
Downwards compatible to SATA 1.5 Gb/s and 3 Gb/s
Voltage: 5 V
Cable gauge:
30 AWG data line
24 AWG power line
Cable diameter: ca. 5.8 mm
Cable length without connectors: ca. 30 cm
SATA 6 Gb/s DOM Module 32 GB MLC SATA Pin 8 power
Memory capacity: 32 GB
Chip: Toshiba
Maximum performance: 100 MB/s reading, 40 MB/s writing
Maximum write cycles: 3000
ATA Security, S.M.A.R.T, thermal sensor
Vibration: 20G @ 7 ~ 2000 Hz
Shock: 1500G @ 0.5 ms
MTBF: > 3 million hours
Operation temperature: - 40 °C ~ 85 °C
(extended temperature range: Industrial grade)
Storage temperature: - 55 °C ~ 95 °C
Dimensions (WxLxH): ca. 30.00 x 28.40 x 7.40 mm
Also available with capacity 16 GB Item 54810