Re: [gentoo-embedded] SATA on Pandaboard?

[Peter Stuge]

wireless wrote:
> I looked at the schematic and saw nothing. I saw
> the USB, but wanted SATA, as in a home-built
> Netbook type of application was my immediate desire.

I think you'll have to settle for USB unless you're prepared to build
an expansion board. But seems expansion will be USB as well.


> With that kind of processing power and DVI & HDMI out, I
> had a hard time believing there is no SATA native
> or hacked hardware solution.

I think you'll have to believe it. :) SATA requires transceivers
in about the same class as DVI/HDMI. I can certainly imagine that
only one set of transceivers would fit the chip area/price point,
and I think graphics was the right choice in that case.


> It's intended for mobile, so why not support sata (for laptop size HD)?

I think it's too "clunky" for the intentions of the OMAP.

And using a mechanical device in a mobile project is a bad idea. SSDs
sure, but they are only an afterthought since many devices already use
hard drives. If making a new platform or a new device, then best not
go that route, better use the flash controller and some NAND.


> Hard to believe that was missed or is not forthcoming, imho.

Maybe someone will make a SATA daughterboard, but since there's no
PCI bus it would have to be based on one of the USB->SATA chipsets
which are all pretty crappy. It could certainly be done though.


> I looked at the url above and saw no listing of sata.

I would look at something like the block diagram instead:

http://pandaboard.org/sites/default/files/PandaBoard_block_diagram.png


> This is the right community, since it is
> clearly posted in the handbook.

I didn't try to say that your question was inappropriate, I meant
that the "upstream" pandaboard.org community would know way more
about the topic, including past ongoing and future efforts, so it
would likely be more rewarding to ask there.


> I will post elsewhere and
> I have already asked TI directly about sata support on that
> OMAP family.... but no answers yet.

Have a look at the documentation that they have published..

Google OMAP4430, first hit:

OMAP™ 4 Platform - OMAP4430/OMAP4440
http://focus.ti.com/general/docs/wtbu/wtbuproductcontent.tsp?contentId=53243&navigationId=12843&templateId=6123

First link on that page:

Chip Block Diagram
http://focus.ti.com/en/graphics/wtbu/OMAP4430_zoom.jpg


> Much of the information and docs are just too new
> to be complete.

Most of TIs docs are nearly two years old.


> No doubt, since the gerbers et. al. exist, it wont be long before
> somebody puts a SATA bus interface, to this project.

I guess the ease of a $15 USB->SATA converter will mean most don't
bother.


> Me, I can think of DNS servers (sata not required); AND mail
> servers and media servers where SATA is critical,

Hehe. I wouldn't trust SATA drives for critical things. But I
certainly agree that Cortex-A will reach into the server market!


> just off the top of my head. Sure USB is ok, but native sata would
> be much cooler, imho.

Hm, why?


> So sorry if I ruffled your feathers.....

No feathers ruffled the least, just a thought that you could better
information elsewhere. Sorry if I was too terse and came off as
hating. I also think the board is very nice! :)


//Peter