Patent ID: 7072995
Filing Date: 2006-07-04
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A Serial ATA communications system, comprising: a device; a Serial ATA communications cable configured to connect to the device, the Serial ATA communications cable having (i) a pair of transmit lines configured to carry a differential mode transmit signal, (ii) a pair of receive lines configured to carry a differential mode receive signal, and (iii) a set of ground lines; and a host which includes: wherein the sensor of the host includes: a cable terminal configured to connect to the set of ground lines of the Serial ATA communications cable; an output terminal; and a control circuit interconnected between the cable terminal and the output terminal, the control circuit being configured to output, as the output signal on the output terminal, (i) a first voltage level when the cable terminal connects to the device through the Serial ATA communications cable, and (ii) a second voltage level that is different than the first voltage level when the cable terminal does not connect to the device through the Serial ATA communications cable.