Released on = February 7, 2007, 10:02 am

Press Release Author = Samek Mokryn

Industry = Semiconductors

Press Release Summary = Halstor, Inc., introduces a dual SATA/SAS controller design
featuring programmable custom chip. This design is intended for storage systems and
servers using both SAS and SATA disk drives.

Press Release Body = Framingham, MA. - Halstor, Inc., a pioneer in configurable I/O
and storage solutions, introduces a dual SATA/SAS (Serial ATA/Serial Attached SCSI)
controller design featuring Halstor\'s programmable custom chip. The flexibility of
the Halstor design enables maximizing performance and functional flexibility for
storage systems and servers using both SAS and SATA disk drives. The Halstor design
may also be used as a target in storage subsystems or embedded within the disk drive
or switch.
This design is based on our proprietary Advanced Serial Controller Architecture
(ASCA) which allows unified treatment of various serial communications protocols.
This architecture, combined with our dedicated Serial Controller Development System,
provides significant reduction in the development effort and allows to deliver high
performance, cost-effective connectivity for internal and external storage and
storage area networks.
The design addresses the need of storage system and server vendors to deploy high
performance, enterprise class systems utilizing this new technology in a timely and
cost-effective manner. It is specifically optimized for storage systems that require
custom SATA/SAS controllers implementing functions like vendor specific commands,
stream replications, data filtering, hardware RAID, virtualization and more. As a
result, emphasis was given to provide the highest possible level of programmability
and embedded intelligence.
Halstor Dual SATA/SAS Controller Design
The Halstor SAS design delivers best-of-class price-performance and allows customers
to meet their expanding storage needs. The design features:
. Dual SATA/SAS ports. Each port can auto select mode independently.
. Embedded processors; one per port.
. Full SAS/SATA PHY and link layer logic.
. Multi-buffer architecture optimized for very high performance
. Customization for ASICs, including embedded targets is possible
The IP of this design is available for licensing, giving the customers the unique
opportunity to expedite the design process and tailor it to their needs. Halstor is
also offering the consulting and support services including silicon integration and
function customization, allowing the customers to utilize our design and protocol
experience in their projects.
Triple protocol FC/SATA/SAS design can be implemented upon request.
Advanced Serial Controller Architecture (ASCA)
Halstor\'s Advanced Serial Controller Architecture (ASCA) is an encompassing
architecture enabling the design of efficient and customizable serial protocol
controllers.
ASCA provides a common framework for frame transmission and reception, I/O handling,
DMA and buffer handling, treatment of control and data frames, clock domains, and
more.
The advantages of utilizing ASCA are enormous. First and foremost, it drastically
cuts on the development time by allowing whole blocks implemented in one design to
be utilized in other designs. It also allows very efficient multi-protocol
controller implementations like this dual SATA/SAS design by sharing the same blocks
with various operational parameters, and as such drastically cuts on the size of the
silicon required and subsequent manufacturing cost of the dedicated chips.
Additional advantages of a coherent treatment of various protocols are evident in
the protocol translators, as our FC to SAS design, where the ASCA approach resulted
in a relatively straightforward implementation of a complex problem.
Halstor Controller Development Platform
Halstor\'s Dual SATA/SAS Controller Design is implemented on the Halstor's SIMBA
Development Platform (see www.halstor.com) that features extended programmability
and set of tools required to develop any fast serial interface and controller. It
proves this platform viability as an extremely powerful and versatile tool allowing
customers efficient controller development and debugging, dramatically reducing the
cost and time of this development.

Contact
Samek Mokryn
Halstor Inc.
e: samek@Halstor.com



Web Site = http://www.halstor.com

Contact Details = 20 Major Hale Drive
Framingham, MA 01701
email: samek@halstor.com
tel: 508-877-4306