Peripheral device control through integrated drive electronics

摘要

An IDE interface communicates with peripheral devices not conforming to ST506 specification by providing firmware to microcontrollers mounted on the non-conforming peripheral devices to translate between the data structure of an ST506 specification device and the data structure of the non-conforming device. CD-ROM and cartridge tape drive communication is provided. An enhanced IDE interface communicates with multiple peripheral devices by adding a selective ability to the firmware of the conventional IDE interface.