Minutes of SAS PHY Working Group conference call February10, 2011T10/11-086r0

Attendance:

Mr. Min-Jie ChongAgilent Technologies

Mr. Zhineng FanAmphenol

Mr. Vijay KasturiAmphenol

Mr. Mickey FeltonEMC

Mr. Nathan AltlandFCI

Mr. Vittal Batasubramanian FCI

Ms. Madhu RengarajanFCI

Mr. Doug WagnerFCI

Mr. Fred FonsFoxconn Electronics

Mr. Barry OlawskyHewlett Packard Co.

Mr. Dan ColegroveHitachi Global Storage Tech.

Mr. Paul LarsonHitachi Global Storage Tech.

Mr. Jay DiepenbrockIBM Corp.

Dr. Mark SeidelIntel Corp.

Mr. Rich MellitzIntel Corp.

Mr. Joel SilvermanKawasaki Microelectronics

Mr. Harvey NewmanLSI Corp

Mr. Gabriel RomeroLSI Corp.

Mr. Paul WassenbergMarvell Semiconductor, Inc.

Mr. Andy ChenMarvell Semiconductor, Inc

Mr. Mahbubul BariMaxim Semiconductor

Mr. Vasilis PapanikolaouMindspeed

Mr. Galen FrommMolex Inc.

Mr. Michael RostMolex Inc.

Mr. Guillaume FortinPMC-Sierra

Mr. Tim SymonsPMC-Sierra

Mr. Alvin CoxSeagate Technology

Mr. Anthony CalboneSeagate Technology

Mr. Richard BohnSeagate Technology

Mr. Bruce JohnsonSeagate Technology

Mr. John SawdySiemon

Mr. Benoit MercierSTMicroelectonics

Mr. Mike FitzpatrickToshiba

Mr. Joel MeyersTycoElectronics

Mr. Dan GorencTycoElectronics

Mr. Scott ShueyTycoElectronics

Mr. Toney ChewVolex, Inc.

Mr. Michael KoffmanWDC

Mr. Stephen FinchWDC

Mr. Alan WestburyXyratex

Mr. Tim GroomXyratex

41 in attendance

Agenda:

1. SAS-3 HDD Connector Measurement Proposal 11-083r0

Intle’s proposal is to replace the SOLT measurement with a TRL measurement. The goal is to have comparable connector characteristics and minimize the effects caused by external elements. This methodology would also provide connector models that can be cascaded into simulations with minimal error added (according to Intel).

Claims on proposal:

  • Measurements map closer to standalone connector
  • Connector model quality easier to referee with measurements
  • Measurements more closely tied to the physics of the connector
  • Eliminates need for separate de-embedding
  • TRL software is a feature of most VNA’s
  • Allows apples-to-apples performance comparisons

A clearly defined connector evaluation board design is required. This includes the board materials, connectors, impedance, and the reference impedance tolerance. The impedance tolerance was an issue of discussion since the circuit board variations may require a large number of boards to be evaluated to find an acceptable match. TDR connections are likely to introduce more error than the test fixtures when the TRL method is properly done.

There seemed to be general agreement that this may be a step in the right direction. Connector manufacturers and end users were requested to evaluate the presentation and provide a position on the next teleconference (2/17).

Consensus requested:

  1. Acceptance of methodology
  2. Acceptance of TRL Calibration
  3. Acceptance that Mount + Connector + Mount = DUT (as defined by connector vendor)

For proposal questions, please contact:

or

2. SPL-2: Transmitter Training 11-036r1

A revised proposal has been posted. The phy discussion was primarily related to the actual phy issues; however it was observed that the Manchester encoding interval had been removed in this revision. LSI will update and replace the information stating that ten 12Gbps UI’s are used for an interval.

Several items were discussed and it appears that there may be consensus on most items related to the transmitter training.

As far as the maximum output voltage being limited, constant power may not be the best terminology. The concept of not exceeding the maximum allowed transmit voltage is agreed. It was suggested that the sum of taps equals a constant value may be a better way to describe it.

The adjustment of amplitude was missing from maxim’s last proposal, but it was thought that they are not opposed to the concept so that it can be applied for power savings and margin testing.

LSI calculated the conversion of the percentages in the Maxim table to mV based on an 800 mV signal. This resulting in the 1.6% translating to 12.8 mV (minimum step size) and 3.1% translating to 37.2 mV (maximum step size). When doubling the LSI values to achieve the comparable differential values, they are 10 mV and 40 mV. Based on these calculations, LSI believes that there is consensus between the two proposals.

If this is the case, then the presets and starting values need to be resolved. PMC voiced a concern that if the starting point has no equalization, this may impact adjacent channels with an increase in crosstalk on the order of 2.5dB. This is something that needs to be looked at.

3.SAS-PHY: SAS3_EYEOPENING update11-008r2

An updated file should be posted. It is being verified and has changes to correct issues in determining the effects of crosstalk and noise in s-parameter files.

Next teleconference
February 17, 2011

Toll Free Dial in Number: (877)810-9442

International Access/Caller Paid Dial In Number: (636)651-3190

PARTICIPANT CODE: 3243413

Webex information:

Topic: SAS PHY WG
Date: Thursday, February 17, 2011
Time: 10:00 am, Central Standard Time (Chicago, GMT-06:00)
Meeting Number: 826 515 680
Meeting Password: newsas
------
To join the online meeting (Now from mobile devices!)
------
1. Go to
2. If requested, enter your name and email address.
3. If a password is required, enter the meeting password: newsas
4. Click "Join".
To view in other time zones or languages, please click the link:

------
For assistance
------
1. Go to
2. On the left navigation bar, click "Support".
To update this meeting to your calendar program (for example Microsoft Outlook), click this link:

WebEx will automatically setup Meeting Manager for Windows the first time you join a meeting. To save time, you can setup prior to the meeting by clicking this link: