PERIPHERAL DEVICE CONTROL THROUGH INTEGRATED DRIVE ELECTRONICS

摘要

An IDE interface (15) communicates with peripheral devices (25) not conforming to ST506 specification by providing firmware to microcontrollers (27) mounted on the non-conforming peripheral devices (25) 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 (25).