Figure 12: SATA connector block diagram
Additionally, to the RX and TX pairs, the SATA interface on the Apalis module features a LED output
signal for signaling activity at the SATA interface (SATA1_ACT#). This information is provided by
the host driver. The signal type is open drain. Therefore, a pull-up resistor is required on the carrier
board. As the signal is used as signal reference for the SATA1_TX+ signal in the MXM3 connector,
a strapping capacitor of 1nF should be placed from SATA1_ACT# to GND close to the MXM3
connector.
Figure 13: SATA connector reference schematic
2.3.2.2 mSATA Card Schematic Example
Mini-SATA is a standard for solid state drive cards that uses the Mini PCIe Card connector and clip.
Please do not confuse mSATA with Mini PCIe Cards solid state drives. These cards feature an on
module flash controller with PCIe interface. The pin-out is electrical compatible, but Mini PCIe Card
uses the PCIe interface while the mSATA uses the SATA interface instead.
Even though the pin-out of the mSATA seems to be similar to the Mini PCIe Card, there is an
important pitfall to remark. Officially, the Mini PCIe Card features the RX+ signal on pin 25 and
RX- on pin 23. The mSATA interface specifies the RX+ signal on pin 23 and RX- signal on 25. The
PCIe interface supports polarity reversal, but not the SATA interface. This means that additional
care needs to be taken to connect the SATA signals correctly to the mSATA card.
Since the AC coupling capacitors for both RX and TX lines are placed on the Apalis Module, no
extra serial capacitors are required on the carrier board.
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