Patent Publication Number: US-6908330-B2

Title: Storage peripheral having a robust serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) PCB connector

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to connectors. More particularly, the present invention relates to a storage peripheral having a robust printed circuit board (PCB) connector configured in accordance with a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) standard. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art and Related Information 
   Today, computers are routinely used both at work and in the home. Computers advantageously enable file sharing, the creation of electronic documents, the use of application specific software, and electronic commerce through the Internet and other computer networks. Typically, each computer has a storage peripheral. For example, the most common type of storage peripheral is a rotating media storage device (RMSD), such as a disk drive (e.g. a hard disk drive). However, other types of storage peripherals such as solid-state disk drive emulators utilizing flash memory are becoming increasingly common. 
   Disk drives are typically connected to a host computer through a host interface connector for the transfer of commands, status and data. The host computer accesses the disk drive and reads data from the disk drive and/or saves data to the disk drive. The disk drive is typically connected to the host computer via a cable and a cable connector that connects to a PCB connector of the disk drive. For compatibility, the connectors and interface protocol are standardized. Accordingly, the cable, cable connector, and PCB connector must comply with the same interface standard. There are several disk drive interface standards, e.g., Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) and Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) that have become common in the last decade. 
   However, disk drives are now being designed to comply with a newer standard, generally referred to as the Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) standard, which is the standard presently favored for newer computers. The SATA standard is being promulgated by the Serial ATA Working Group and is specifically referred to as the Serial ATA: High Speed Serialized AT Attachment specification or Serial ATA standard 1.0. The SATA specification defines various general standards for SATA compliant cable connectors, SATA compliant cables, and SATA compliant PCB connectors that mount to a printed circuit board (PCB). 
   The SATA PCB connector defined in the SATA specification basically specifies an insulated housing, a first blade connector for supporting an electrical contact arrangement configured for data signals, a second blade connector for supporting an electrical contact arrangement configured for power signals, and two board locks fixed to the housing for attaching the PCB connector to a PCB. Further, the SATA PCB connector defined in the SATA specification sets forth that the housing includes a pair of opposed guide slots in each one of two opposite side walls of the housing that define a cable connector receiving area. The pair of opposed guide slots aid in guiding cable and back-plane connectors to mate with a blade connector. 
   Unfortunately, the blade connectors specified by the SATA standard are prone to mechanical failure when utilizing presently manufactured SATA compliant cable connectors and PCB connectors. Oftentimes, the blade connector of a SATA PCB connector breaks when a SATA cable connector is mated to it. This is because mating SATA cable connectors are not suitably constrained by the housing of the SATA PCB connector. Furthermore, the respective electrical contact arrangements for power and data signals, as specified by the SATA standard, may not adequately ensure that electrostatic discharge (ESD) will be consistently discharged with the first mate ground contact. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a storage peripheral having a robust printed circuit board (PCB) connector configured in accordance with a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) standard. 
   In one aspect, the invention may be regarded as a disk drive having a disk for rotation within the disk drive, a moveable head for writing and reading data to and from the disk drive, a disk controller system for controlling operations in the disk drive, a printed circuit board (PCB) for mounting the disk controller system, and a housing attached to the PCB. A first electrical contact arrangement in accordance with a SATA standard is connected to the PCB and is supported by a first blade connector. Both the first blade connector and the first electrical contact arrangement are enclosed by the housing. The housing further defines a cable connector receiving area around the first blade connector for the receipt of a cable connector. At least one guide arm receiving cavity is integrally formed with the housing and is disposed outside of the cable connector receiving area. The guide arm receiving cavity is adapted for the receipt of a guide arm from a mating cable connector. 
   In one embodiment, the first electrical contact arrangement may be configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the first electrical contact arrangement may be configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard. 
   In a more detailed embodiment, the disk drive may include a second blade connector having a second electrical contact arrangement in accordance with the SATA standard. The second blade connector is also located inside of the cable connector receiving area of the housing. For example, in one embodiment, the first electrical contact arrangement may be configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard and the second electrical contact arrangement may be configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard. 
   In yet a more detailed embodiment, the housing may include a substantially thickened strengthening wall disposed between the cable connector receiving area and the guide arm receiving cavity. The guide arm receiving cavity may include a conductive surface. For example, the conductive surface may include a grounding tab. In another embodiment, the housing and the guide arm receiving cavity may be made from a conductive plastic material. Further, the guide arm receiving cavity may be approximately rectangularly shaped. Additionally, the SATA standard may be a Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) standard. Moreover, in further embodiments, the housing may optionally include a legacy Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) power receptacle and/or a user section receptacle. 
   In another aspect, the invention may be regarded as a disk drive having a disk for rotation within the disk drive, a moveable head for writing and reading data to and from the disk drive, a disk controller system for controlling operations in the disk drive, a printed circuit board (PCB) for mounting the disk controller system, and a housing attached to the PCB. A first electrical contact arrangement in accordance with a SATA standard is connected to the PCB and is supported by a first blade connector. Both the first blade connector and the first electrical contact arrangement are enclosed by the housing. The housing further defines a cable connector receiving area around the first blade connector for the receipt of a cable connector. A pair of laterally-opposed guide arm receiving cavities are integrally formed with the housing and are disposed outside of the cable connector receiving area. The guide arm receiving cavities are adapted for the receipt of guide arms from a mating cable connector. 
   In one embodiment, the first electrical contact arrangement may be configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the first electrical contact arrangement may be configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard. 
   In a more detailed embodiment, the disk drive may include a second blade connector having a second electrical contact arrangement in accordance with the SATA standard. The second blade connector is also located inside of the cable connector receiving area of the housing. For example, in one embodiment, the first electrical contact arrangement may be configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard and the second electrical contact arrangement may be configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard. 
   In yet a more detailed embodiment, the housing may include substantially thickened strengthening walls disposed between the cable connector receiving area and the guide arm receiving cavities, respectively. At least one of the guide arm receiving cavities may include a conductive surface. For example, the conductive surface may include a grounding tab. In another embodiment, the housing and the guide arm receiving cavities may be made from a conductive plastic material. Further, the guide arm receiving cavities may be approximately rectangularly shaped or approximately oval shaped. Also, the guide arm receiving cavities may be differently sized. Additionally, the SATA standard may be a Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) standard. Moreover, in further embodiments, the housing may optionally include a legacy Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) power receptacle and/or a user section receptacle. 
   In an additional aspect, the invention may be regarded as a disk drive having a disk for rotation within the disk drive, a moveable head for writing and reading data to and from the disk drive, a disk controller system for controlling operations in the disk drive, a printed circuit board (PCB) for mounting the disk controller system, and a housing attached to the PCB. A first electrical contact arrangement in accordance with a SATA standard is connected to the PCB and is supported by a first blade connector and a second electrical contact arrangement in accordance with a SATA standard is connected to the PCB and is supported by a second blade connector. Both the first blade connector and the first electrical contact arrangement and the second blade connector and the second electrical contact arrangement are enclosed by the housing. The housing further defines a cable connector receiving area around the first and second blade connectors for the receipt of at least one cable connector. At least one guide arm receiving cavity is integrally formed with the housing and is disposed outside of the cable connector receiving area. The guide arm receiving cavity is adapted for the receipt of a guide arm from a mating cable connector. 
   In one embodiment, the first electrical contact arrangement may be configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard and the second electrical contact arrangement may be configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard. 
   In a more detailed embodiment, the housing may include a substantially thickened strengthening wall disposed between the cable connector receiving area and the guide arm receiving cavity. The guide arm receiving cavity may include a conductive surface. For example, the conductive surface may include a grounding tab. In another embodiment, the housing and the guide arm receiving cavity may be made from a conductive plastic material. Further, the guide arm receiving cavity may be approximately rectangularly shaped. Additionally, the SATA standard may be a Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) standard. Moreover, in further embodiments, the housing may optionally include a legacy Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) power receptacle and/or a user section receptacle. 
   In another aspect, the invention may be regarded as a disk drive having a disk for rotation within the disk drive, a moveable head for writing and reading data to and from the disk drive, a disk controller system for controlling operations in the disk drive, a printed circuit board (PCB) for mounting the disk controller system, and a housing attached to the PCB. A first electrical contact arrangement in accordance with a SATA standard is connected to the PCB and is supported by a first blade connector and a second electrical contact arrangement in accordance with a SATA standard is connected to the PCB and is supported by a second blade connector. Both the first blade connector and the first electrical contact arrangement and the second blade connector and the second electrical contact arrangement are enclosed by the housing. The housing further defines a cable connector receiving area around the first and second blade connectors for the receipt of at least one cable connector. A pair of laterally-opposed guide arm receiving cavities are integrally formed with the housing and are disposed outside of the cable connector receiving area. The guide arm receiving cavities are adapted for the receipt of guide arms from a mating cable connector. 
   In one embodiment, the first electrical contact arrangement may be configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard and the second electrical contact arrangement may be configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard. 
   In a more detailed embodiment, the housing may include substantially thickened strengthening walls disposed between the cable connector receiving area and the guide arm receiving cavities, respectively. At least one of the guide arm receiving cavities may include a conductive surface. For example, the conductive surface may include a grounding tab. In another embodiment, the housing and the guide arm receiving cavities may be made from a conductive plastic material. Further, the guide arm receiving cavities may be approximately rectangularly shaped or approximately oval shaped. Also, the guide arm receiving cavities may be differently sized. Additionally, the SATA standard may be a Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) standard. Moreover, in further embodiments, the housing may optionally include a legacy Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) power receptacle and/or a user section receptacle. 
   In yet a more detailed aspect, the invention may be regarded as a storage peripheral having a semiconductor memory for storing and retrieving data, a storage controller for controlling operations in the storage peripheral, a printed circuit board (PCB) for mounting the storage controller, and a housing attached to the PCB. A first electrical contact arrangement in accordance with a SATA standard is connected to the PCB and is supported by a first blade connector. Both the first blade connector and the first electrical contact arrangement are enclosed by the housing. The housing further defines a cable connector receiving area around the first blade connector for the receipt of a cable connector. At least one guide arm receiving cavity is integrally formed with the housing and is disposed outside of the cable connector receiving area. The guide arm receiving cavity is adapted for the receipt of a guide arm from a mating cable connector. 
   In one embodiment, the first electrical contact arrangement may be configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the first electrical contact arrangement may be configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard. 
   In a more detailed embodiment, the storage peripheral may include a second blade connector having a second electrical contact arrangement in accordance with the SATA standard. The second blade connector is also located inside of the cable connector receiving area of the housing. For example, in one embodiment, the first electrical contact arrangement may be configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard and the second electrical contact arrangement may be configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard. 
   In yet a more detailed embodiment, the housing may include a substantially thickened strengthening wall disposed between the cable connector receiving area and the guide arm receiving cavity. The guide arm receiving cavity may include a conductive surface. For example, the conductive surface may include a grounding tab. In another embodiment, the housing and the guide arm receiving cavity may be made from a conductive plastic material. Further, the guide arm receiving cavity may be approximately rectangularly shaped. Additionally, the SATA standard may be a Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) standard. Moreover, in further embodiments, the semiconductor memory may be a flash memory array. 
   In yet an even more detailed aspect, the invention may be regarded as a storage peripheral having a semiconductor memory for storing and retrieving data, a storage controller for controlling operations in the storage peripheral, a printed circuit board (PCB) for mounting the storage controller, and a housing attached to the PCB. A first electrical contact arrangement in accordance with a SATA standard is connected to the PCB and is supported by a first blade connector. Both the first blade connector and the first electrical contact arrangement are enclosed by the housing. The housing further defines a cable connector receiving area around the first blade connector for the receipt of a cable connector. A pair of laterally-opposed guide arm receiving cavities are integrally formed with the housing and are disposed outside of the cable connector receiving area. The guide arm receiving cavities are adapted for the receipt of guide arms from a mating cable connector. 
   In one embodiment, the first electrical contact arrangement may be configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the first electrical contact arrangement may be configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard. 
   In a more detailed embodiment, the storage peripheral may include a second blade connector having a second electrical contact arrangement in accordance with the SATA standard. The second blade connector is also located inside of the cable connector receiving area of the housing. For example, in one embodiment, the first electrical contact arrangement may be configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard and the second electrical contact arrangement may be configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard. 
   In yet a more detailed embodiment, the housing may include substantially thickened strengthening walls disposed between the cable connector receiving area and the guide arm receiving cavities, respectively. At least one of the guide arm receiving cavities may include a conductive surface. For example, the conductive surface may include a grounding tab. In another embodiment, the housing and the guide arm receiving cavities may be made from a conductive plastic material. Further, the guide arm receiving cavities may be approximately rectangularly shaped or approximately oval shaped. Also, the guide arm receiving cavities may be differently sized. Additionally, the SATA standard may be a Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) standard. Moreover, in further embodiments, the semiconductor memory may be a flash memory array. 
   The foregoing and other features of the invention are described in detail below and set forth in the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1A  shows a block diagram of a system including a host computer connected to a storage peripheral, in which embodiments of the invention may be practiced. 
       FIG. 1B  shows a block diagram of a system including a host computer connected to a disk drive, in which embodiments of the invention may be practiced. 
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a cable connector for mating to a PCB connector connected to a PCB, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 3A  shows a perspective view of a cable connector having a first blade-receiving portion that includes a first electrical contact arrangement configured for data signals in accordance with a SATA standard, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 3B  shows a perspective view of a cable connector having a first blade-receiving portion configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard and a second blade-receiving portion configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 3C  shows a perspective view of a cable connector having guide arms that are approximately oval shaped, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 4A  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a cable connector configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 4B  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a cable connector configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 4C  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a cable connector configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 4D  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a cable connector configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 4E  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a cable connector configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 4F  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a cable connector configured for both data and power signals in accordance with the SATA standard, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 5A  shows a more detailed perspective view of the PCB connector of  FIG. 2 , according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 5B  shows a perspective view of a PCB connector having guide arm receiving cavities that are approximately oval shaped, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 5C  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the PCB connector, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 6A  is a schematic diagram showing a pre-grounding configuration wherein both the data blade-receiving portion and the power blade-receiving portion of the cable connector are configured for pre-grounding to the PCB connector, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 6B  is a schematic diagram showing a pre-grounding configuration wherein the data blade-receiving portion is not present and the power blade-receiving portion of the cable connector is configured for pre-grounding to the PCB connector, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 6C  is a schematic diagram showing a pre-grounding configuration wherein the power blade-receiving portion is not present and the data blade-receiving portion of the cable connector is configured for pre-grounding to the PCB connector, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 6D  shows a layout of the data and power signal contacts of the data and power blade connectors of the PCB connector onto the PCB and further shows grounding tabs of the guide arm receiving cavities coupled to ground on the PCB, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   With reference to  FIG. 1A ,  FIG. 1A  shows a block diagram of a system including a host computer  12  connected to a storage peripheral  8 , in which embodiments of the invention may be practiced. The storage peripheral  8  comprises a controller  26  having a Serial ATA (SATA) interface (not shown) connected to a SATA PCB connector  24 . The storage peripheral  8  further includes a semiconductor memory  28  for data storage and retrieval. The controller  26 , semiconductor memory  28 , and SATA PCB connector  24  are preferably mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB)  13 . The storage peripheral  8  is connectable to a host computer  12  for receiving commands and data over a SATA cable  70  having a SATA cable connector  22 . 
   In one embodiment, storage peripheral  8  may emulate a disk drive while communicating with the host computer  12  using a SATA protocol. Semiconductor memory  28  may be a Flash memory system for providing non-volatile storage. In another embodiment, semiconductor memory  28  may be a large DRAM array suitable for caching data in a high performance system. 
   With reference to  FIG. 1B ,  FIG. 1B  shows a block diagram of a system including a host computer  12 ′ connected to a disk drive  10 , in which embodiments of the invention may be practiced. In this embodiment, the disk drive  10  acts as the storage peripheral. The disk drive  10  includes a head disk assembly (HDA)  17  having a disk  18  and a transducer head  20  actuated radially over the disk. The disk drive  10  further includes a disk control system  25 , which may include a SATA interface (not shown), and a serial ATA (SATA) PCB connector  24 ′. The disk control system  25  responds to disk-drive commands and accesses data storage locations on the disk  18  through the transducer head  20 . The SATA PCB connector  24 ′ couples the disk control system  25  to the host computer  12 ′ when the disk drive  10  is connected to the host computer  12 ′ via the SATA cable  70 ′ and the SATA cable connector  22 ′. 
   The HDA  17  of disk drive  10  further includes a spindle motor  52  for rotating the disk  18  and a voice coil motor (VCM)  54  for actuating the transducer head  20  radially over the disk  18 . A servo controller  56  generates the appropriate control signals applied to the spindle motor  52  and the VCM  54  in response to commands received from the disk control system  25 . During a write operation the disk control system  25  transmits user data received from the host computer  12 ′ to a read/write channel  58 . The read/write channel  58  performs appropriate encoding of the user data to generate write data  60  written to the disk  18 . The write data  60  modulates the operation of a preamp  62  to generate a write signal  64   i  applied to the head  20  in order to write magnetic transitions onto the surface of the disk  18 . During a read operation, the head  20  detects the magnetic transitions representing the recorded data to generate a read signal  66 , which is amplified by the preamp  62  to generate a read signal  68  applied to the read/write channel  58 . The read/write channel  58  demodulates the read signal  68  into user data transmitted to the host computer  12 ′ via disk control system  25  after correcting errors. 
   The disk drive  10  communicates with the host computer  12 ′ over a SATA cable  70 ′ that includes a SATA cable connector  22 ′ connected to the SATA PCB connector  24 ′ using a communication protocol defined by an industry standard such as the Serial ATA standard 1.0. In another embodiment, the disk drive may communicate with the host computer using an industry standard known as Serial Attached SCSI (SAS), which contemplates using cabling and circuitry originally defined in the SATA standard. 
   The disk  18 , spindle motor  52 , VCM  54 , preamp  62 , and related hardware may be integrated into the HDA  17 . The disk control system  25 , SATA PCB connector  24 ′, semiconductor memory  28 ′, servo controller  56 , read/write channel  58 , and related electronics may be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB)  13 ′. The disk control system  25  generally includes circuitry and processors that control the HDA  17  and that provide an intelligent control interface between the host computer  12 ′ and the HDA for execution of disk-drive commands. The disk control system  25  may have an internal microprocessor and nonvolatile memory for implementing the techniques of the invention. The semiconductor memory  28 ′ may have nonvolatile memory and volatile random access memory (RAM). 
   The following discussion will describe embodiments of the invention related to SATA cable connectors  22 , 22 ′, SATA PCB connectors  24 , 24 ′ connected to PCBs  13 , 13 ′, SATA cables  70 , 70 ′, etc. It should be appreciated that the following description of SATA cable connectors, SATA PCB connectors, and SATA cables is applicable to either of the system environments of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  for a storage peripheral  8  or a disk drive  10 , respectively, both of which have been previously described in detail, as well as other types of system environments. Moreover, it should be appreciated that embodiments of the SATA PCB connectors  24  can similarly be connected to PCBs associated with a host computer or back-plane such that SATA cable connectors  22  can be connected to these PCB connectors and an interface can be provided at the host computer or back-plane end. 
   With reference now to  FIGS. 2 and 3A ,  FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a cable connector  22  for mating to a PCB connector  24  connected to a PCB  13  and  FIG. 3A  shows another perspective view of the cable connector  22  having a first blade-receiving portion  212  that includes a first electrical contact arrangement  213  configured in accordance with a SATA standard. The first electrical contact arrangement  213  of the first blade-receiving portion  212  is configured to mate with a first blade connector  206  of the PCB connector having a second electrical contact arrangement (not shown) also in accordance with the SATA standard. 
   Particularly, in one embodiment, the cable connector  22  includes a first blade-receiving portion  212  for enclosing the first electrical contact arrangement  213 , a housing  210  for supporting the first blade-receiving portion  212 , and at least one guide arm  220  that is integrally formed with the housing. In one embodiment, a pair of laterally-opposed guide arms  220  are integrally formed with the housing. Also, in one embodiment, a connector-support gap  230  is formed in the housing  210  for receiving a second blade-receiving portion  225 . Further, the housing  210  has a cable entrance end  214  and a mating end  216 . 
   At least one guide arm  220  projects from the mating end  216  of the housing  210  and is disposed outside of and is separate from the first blade-receiving portion  212 . Further, in one embodiment, a pair of laterally-opposed guide arms  220  project from the mating end  216  of the housing  210  and are disposed outside of and are separate from the first blade-receiving portion  212 . 
   Also, in one embodiment, a first shielded cable  272  having a first plurality of conductors configured in accordance with the SATA standard may be connected to the first blade-receiving portion  212 . The first plurality of conductors are connected to the first electrical contact arrangement of the first blade-receiving portion  212 . The combination of the cable connector  22  including the first blade-receiving portion  212  and the first shielded cable  272  connected thereto may be referred to as cable assembly  23 . 
   The housing  210  of the cable connector  22  is approximately U-shaped and has the connector-support gap  230  formed therein. The pair of laterally-opposed guide arms  220  project from the mating end  216  of the housing  210  and are disposed outside of and are separate from the first blade-receiving portion  212  and the connector-support gap  230 . The housing  210  includes a guide slot  217  in one of two opposite sidewalls  218  of the housing that aids in defining the connector-support gap  230 . Further, the top portion  219  of the housing may optionally have rectangular recesses  221 . 
   In one embodiment, the first electrical contact arrangement  213  of the first blade-receiving portion  212  is configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard and is particularly configured to mate with the first blade connector  206  of the PCB connector  24  having a second electrical contact arrangement (not shown) also configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard. Further, the first shielded cable  272  having a plurality of conductors is configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard and is coupled to the data blade-receiving portion  212 . The plurality of conductors of the first shielded cable  272  are connected to the data electrical contact arrangement  213  of the data blade-receiving portion  212 . 
   The data blade-receiving portion  212  includes a generally oblong rectangular housing  223  for enclosing the data electrical contact arrangement  213  configured in accordance with the SATA standard. At one end, the data blade-receiving portion  212  includes an L-shaped opening  225  for receipt of the corresponding L-shaped data blade connector  206  of the PCB connector  24  which has a mating data electrical contact arrangement configured in accordance with the SATA standard such that the data blade connector  206  properly mates with the data electrical contact arrangement  213  of the data blade-receiving portion  212 . At the other end, the data blade-receiving portion  212  receives the shielded cable  272  having a plurality of conductors configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard and the plurality of conductors are connected to the data electrical contact arrangement  213  inside the housing  223  of the data blade-receiving portion  212 . 
   Further, the data blade-receiving portion  212  includes a side guide rail  227  to mate with the PCB connector  24 , as will be discussed in detail later. Also, the data blade-receiving portion  212  further includes a side guide slot  229  for receipt of a guide rail  236  of the second blade-receiving portion  225 , as will be discussed. The data blade-receiving portion  212  may be integrally molded with the housing  210 . 
   It should be appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment, the first electrical contact arrangement of the first blade-receiving portion may be configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard and would instead mate with a blade connector of the PCB connector likewise having an electrical contact arrangement configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard. Further, the first shielded cable having a plurality of conductors would be configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard. The plurality of conductors of the first shielded cable would connected to the power electrical contact arrangement of the power blade-receiving portion. 
   An example of this can be seen with reference to FIG.  4 A.  FIG. 4A  shows an alternative embodiment of a cable connector  422  including a first blade-receiving portion  412  having a first electrical contact arrangement  413  configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard and which is configured to mate with a blade connector of a PCB connector likewise having an electrical contact arrangement configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard. Further, the first shielded cable  474  has a plurality of conductors configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard. The plurality of conductors of the first shielded cable  474  are connected to the power electrical contact arrangement  413  of the power blade-receiving portion  412 . The combination of the power cable connector  422  including the first blade-receiving portion  412  having the first electrical contact arrangement  413  configured for power signals and the first shielded cable  474  configured for power signals connected thereto may be referred to as cable assembly  423 . The blade-receiving portion configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard will be discussed in detail later. 
   Continuing with reference to  FIG. 2  as well as with reference to  FIG. 3B , which shows a second blade-receiving portion  225 , the use of a second blade-receiving portion will now be described. As previously discussed, a connector-support gap  230  is formed in the housing  210  for receiving a second blade-receiving portion  225 . The second blade-receiving portion  225  supports a third electrical contact arrangement  232  to mate with a second blade connector  228  having a fourth electrical contact arrangement (not shown) in accordance with the SATA standard. 
   In one embodiment, the third electrical contact arrangement  232  is configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard and is configured to mate with the second blade connector  228  of the PCB connector  24  having a fourth electrical contact arrangement (not shown) also configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard. Particularly, in this embodiment, the cable connector  22  includes a second blade-receiving portion  225  for enclosing the power electrical contact arrangement  232 . Further, a shielded cable  274  having a plurality of conductors configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard is coupled to the power blade-receiving portion  225  and the plurality of conductors are connected to the power electrical contact arrangement  232  of the power blade-receiving portion  225  inside the power blade-receiving portion. In this embodiment, the combination of the cable connector  22  including the data and power blade-receiving portions  212 , 225  and their respective first and second shielded cables  272 , 274  (i.e. data and power shielded cables) connected thereto, may be referred to as cable assembly  23 . 
   For example, in this embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3B , the first electrical contact arrangement  213  of the first blade-receiving portion  212  and the first shielded cable  272  may be configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard to mate with the first blade connector  206  of the PCB connector  24  having a second electrical contact arrangement similarly configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard and the third electrical contact arrangement  232  of the second blade-receiving portion  225  and the second shielded cable  274  may be configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard to mate with the second blade connector  228  of the PCB connector  24  having a fourth electrical contact arrangement similarly configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard. Accordingly, the data blade-receiving portion  212  mates with the data blade connector  206  of the PCB connector  24  and the power blade-receiving portion  225  mates with the power blade connector  228  of the PCB connector  24 , respectively. 
   Looking particularly at the power blade-receiving portion  225 , the power blade-receiving portion  225  includes a generally rectangular housing  233  for enclosing the power electrical contact arrangement  232  configured in accordance with the SATA standard. At one end, the power blade-receiving portion  225  includes an L-shaped opening  235  for receipt of the corresponding L-shaped power blade connector  228  of the PCB connector  24 , which has a mating power electrical contact arrangement configured in accordance with the SATA standard, such that the power blade connector  228  of the PCB connector  24  properly mates with the power electrical contact arrangement  232  of the power blade-receiving portion  225 . At the other end, the power blade-receiving portion  225  receives shielded cable  274  having a plurality of conductors configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard and the plurality of conductors are connected to the power electrical contact arrangement  232  inside the housing  233  of the power blade-receiving portion  225 . 
   Further, the power blade-receiving portion  225  includes a pair of side guide rails. A first guide rail  234  mates with the opposed guide slot  217  of the housing  210  such that the power blade-receiving portion  225  interlocks with the housing  210  of the cable connector  22  and a second slender rectangular guide rail  236  mates with the side guide slot  229  of the data blade-receiving portion  212  and interlocks with the data blade-receiving portion. In this way, by the power blade-receiving portion  225  interlocking with the housing  210  and the data blade-receiving portion  212 , an integral cable connector  22  is formed. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the data blade-receiving portion  212  and the power blade-receiving portion  225  may be integrally molded with the housing  210 . 
   Continuing with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3B , the pair of laterally-opposed guide arms  220  will now be discussed. As previously described, the guide arms  220  project from the mating end  216  of the housing  210  of the cable connector  22  and are disposed outside of and are separate from the first blade-receiving portion  212  and the connector-support gap  230 . In one embodiment, the guide arms  220  are approximately rectangularly shaped as particularly shown in FIG.  3 B. Further, as shown in  FIG. 3B , the guide arms  220  may be differently sized. 
   In one embodiment each of the guide arms  220  may include a conductive contact  237  such as a grounding clip. As will be described in more detail later, the conductive contacts may provide pre-grounding functionality for one of the data or power blade-receiving portions or both. For example, one of the conductive contacts  237  of a one of the guide arms may be coupled to a ground conductor of the first shielded cable  272  (e.g. configured for data signals) and the other conductive contact  237  of the other guide arm may be coupled to a ground conductor of the second shielded cable  274  (e.g. configured for power signals), as will be discussed. Various other grounding configurations for pre-grounding and the dissipation of electro-static discharge (ESD) will also be discussed. 
   Also, in one embodiment, the housing  210  and the guide arms  220  may be made from a conductive plastic material such that the cable connector  22  is conductive. For example, the plastic material may include a conductive filler material. This may be referred to as the conductive cable connector embodiment. 
   With reference now to  FIG. 3C , in another embodiment, the guide arms  221  may be approximately oval shaped. Again, as previously described, the guide arms  221  may be differently sized. Further, although not shown in  FIG. 3C , each oval shaped guide arm  221  may also include a conductive contact such as a grounding clip. 
   Various other alternative embodiments of the previously described cable connectors are also possible. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4B , in one embodiment, a cable connector  448  utilized only for data signal connection is shown. The data cable connector  448  may include a housing  452  for supporting a data blade-receiving portion  212  having an electrical contact arrangement  213  configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard. The data blade-receiving portion  212  may be integrally molded with the housing  452 . Further, in this embodiment, the data cable connector  448  only includes one guide arm  220 . The guide arm  220  is integrally formed with the housing  452  and projects from the mating end of the housing and is disposed outside of and is separate from the data blade-receiving portion  212 . The guide arm includes a conductive contact  237 , such as a grounding clip. Alternatively, as previously discussed, the housing  452  and the guide arm  220  may be made from a conductive plastic material. 
   The data electrical contact arrangement  213  of the data blade-receiving portion  212  is configured to mate with the data blade connector  206  of the PCB connector  24  having an electrical contact arrangement also configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard. Further, a shielded cable  272  having a plurality of conductors configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard is coupled to the data blade-receiving portion  212  and the plurality of conductors are connected to the data electrical contact arrangement  213  of the data blade-receiving portion  212  inside the data blade-receiving portion. As previously discussed, the conductive contact  237  of the guide arm  220  may be coupled to a ground conductor of the shielded data cable  272  (e.g. configured for data signals) for pre-grounding. The rectangular guide arm  220  is suitably formed for receipt by a guide arm receiving cavity of the PCB connector  24 , as will be discussed. Also, the SATA standard utilized may be a SAS standard. 
   Further, the housing  452  may include a side guide slot  454  for mating with a rectangular guide rail of another separate power cable connector, as will be discussed. 
   Also, with reference to  FIG. 4C , an alternative embodiment of the data cable connector  448  is shown. In this embodiment, the data cable connector  448  includes a second guide arm  458  that is shaped as an elongated tongue. The second elongated tongue guide arm  458  is suitably formed for receipt by a guide arm receiving cavity of the PCB connector  24  that is shaped as elongated slot, as will be discussed. 
   Another alternative embodiment of the previously described cable connectors is shown in FIG.  4 D.  FIG. 4D  shows a cable connector  460  that is utilized only for power signal connection. The power cable connector  460  may include a housing  462  for supporting a power blade-receiving portion  225  having an electrical contact arrangement  232  configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard. The power blade-receiving portion  225  may be integrally molded with the housing  462 . Further, in this embodiment, the power cable connector  460  only includes one guide arm  220 . The guide arm  220  is integrally formed with the housing  462  and projects from the mating end of the housing and is disposed outside of and is separate from the power blade-receiving portion  225 . The guide arm includes a conductive contact  237 , such as a grounding clip. Alternatively, as previously discussed, the housing  462  and the guide arm  220  may be made from a conductive plastic material. 
   The power electrical contact arrangement  232  of the power blade-receiving portion  225  is configured to mate with the power blade connector  228  of the PCB connector  24  having an electrical contact arrangement also configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard. Further, a shielded cable  274  having a plurality of conductors configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard is coupled to the power blade-receiving portion  225  and the plurality of conductors are connected to the power electrical contact arrangement  232  of the power blade-receiving portion  225  inside the power blade-receiving portion. As previously discussed, the conductive contact  237  of the guide arm  220  may be coupled to a ground conductor of the shielded power cable  274  (e.g. configured for power signals) for pre-grounding. The rectangular guide arm  220  is suitably formed for receipt by a guide arm receiving cavity of the PCB connector  24 , as will be discussed. Also, the SATA standard utilized may be a SAS standard. 
   Further, the housing  462  may include a side guide rail  464  for mating with side guide slot  454  of the data cable connector  448 . 
   Also, with reference to  FIG. 4E , an alternative embodiment of the power cable connector  460  is shown. In this embodiment, the power cable connector  460  includes a second guide arm  468  that is shaped as an elongated tongue. The second elongated tongue guide arm  468  is suitably formed for receipt by a guide arm receiving cavity of the PCB connector  24  that is shaped as elongated slot, as will be discussed. 
   An additional alternative embodiment of the previously described cable connectors is shown in FIG.  4 F.  FIG. 4F  shows a combined cable connector  480  that is utilized for both data and power signal connection and is a combination of the data cable connector  448  and the power cable connector  460 , previously discussed. The combined cable connector  480  may be formed by the combination of the power and data cable connectors  460 , 448 , previously discussed, by the side guide rail  464  of the power cable connector mating with the side guide slot  454  of the data cable connector  448  to form the combined cable connector  480 . Alternatively, the combined cable connector  480  may be formed by the integral molding of the previously described power and data cable connectors  460 , 448 , respectively. 
   The combined cable connector  480  may include a housing  482  for supporting both the data blade-receiving portion  212  having an electrical contact arrangement  213  configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard and a power blade-receiving portion  225  having an electrical contact arrangement  232  configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard. In this embodiment, a pair of laterally-opposed guide arms  220  are integrally formed with the housing  482  and project from the mating end of the housing and are disposed outside of and are separate from both the data and power blade-receiving portions  212 , 225 . The guide arms each include a conductive contact  237 , such as a grounding clip. Alternatively, as previously discussed, the housing  482  and the guide arms  220  may be made from a conductive plastic material. 
   The data electrical contact arrangement  213  of the data blade-receiving portion  212  is configured to mate with the data blade connector  206  of the PCB connector  24  having an electrical contact arrangement also configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard. Further, a shielded cable  272  having a plurality of conductors configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard is coupled to the data blade-receiving portion  212  and the plurality of conductors are connected to the data electrical contact arrangement  213  of the data blade-receiving portion  212  inside the data blade-receiving portion. As previously discussed, the conductive contact  237  of the guide arm  220  may be coupled to a ground conductor of the shielded data cable  272  (e.g. configured for data signals) for pre-grounding. The power electrical contact arrangement  232  of the power blade-receiving portion  225  is configured to mate with the power blade connector  228  of the PCB connector  24  having an electrical contact arrangement also configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard. Further, a shielded cable  274  having a plurality of conductors configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard is coupled to the power blade-receiving portion  225  and the plurality of conductors are connected to the power electrical contact arrangement  232  of the power blade-receiving portion  225  inside the power blade-receiving portion. As previously discussed, the conductive contact  237  of the guide arm  220  may be coupled to a ground conductor of the shielded power cable  274  (e.g. configured for power signals) for pre-grounding. 
   The rectangular guide arms  220  are suitably formed for receipt by guide arm receiving cavities of the PCB connector  24 , as will be discussed. Also, the SATA standard utilized may be a SAS standard. Further, in this embodiment, the combined cable connector  480  includes a second guide arm  488  that is shaped as an elongated tongue. The second elongated tongue guide arm  488  is suitably formed for receipt by a guide arm receiving cavity of the PCB connector  24  that is shaped as elongated slot, as will be discussed. 
   With reference now to  FIG. 5A  in conjunction with  FIG. 2 , one embodiment of the PCB connector  24  will now be described in detail.  FIG. 5A  shows a more detailed perspective view of the PCB connector  24  of FIG.  2 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the PCB connector  24  is mounted to a printed circuit board (PCB)  13 . Mounting brackets  280  of the PCB connector  24  support the PCB  13  and mounting posts  281  extend from the mounting brackets  280  via through-holes of the PCB creating an interference fit to secure the PCB connector  24  to the PCB  13 . Further, as will be discussed many pins of the various connectors are also fixed to the PCB  13  further securing the PCB connector  24  to the PCB  13 . 
   In one embodiment, the PCB connector  24  includes a housing  270  having a SATA section  265 , a legacy Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) power section receptacle  266 , and a user section receptacle  268 . In other embodiments of the PCB connector  24 , the housing  270  of the PCB connector  24  may only include the SATA section  265  and the legacy IDE power section receptacle  266  and the user section receptacle  268  may not be present. Particularly, looking at the SATA section  265 , the PCB connector  24  includes a first blade connector  206  for supporting a first electrical contact arrangement  209  in accordance with a SATA standard, a second blade connector  228  for supporting a second electrical contact arrangement  231  in accordance with the SATA standard, and the housing  270  encloses the first and second blade connectors and the supported electrical contact arrangements. As should be appreciated, the electrical contacts of the electrical contact arrangements of the blade connectors  206  and  228  are mounted to the PCB  13  via through-holes of the PCB  13 , for example. Alternatively, other methods of mounting the electrical contacts could be used, such as surface mount technologies. 
   In one embodiment, the housing  270  includes a pair of opposed guide slots  271  in each one of two opposite sidewalls of the housing  270  that define a cable connector receiving area  252  around the first and second blade connectors  206  and  228  for the receipt of at least one cable connector, respectively. The cable connector receiving area  252  is in accordance with the SATA standard. In one embodiment, the first electrical contact arrangement  209  of the first L-shaped blade connector  206  is configured for data signals in accordance with the SATA standard and a second electrical contact arrangement  231  of the second L-shaped blade connector  228  is configured for power signals in accordance with the SATA standard. 
   However, above and beyond the cable connector receiving area  252  as defined in accordance with the SATA standard, the housing  270  of the PCB connector  24  includes at least one guide arm receiving cavity  254  that is integrally formed with the housing  270  and that is disposed outside of the cable connector receiving area  252 . In one embodiment, the housing  270  includes a pair of laterally-opposed guide arm receiving cavities  254  that are integrally formed with the housing  270  and that are disposed outside the cable connector receiving area  252 . The guide arm receiving cavities  254  are adapted for the receipt of the guide arms  220  from the mating cable connector  22 . 
   Further, in other embodiments, the guide arm receiving cavities  254  are adapted for the receipt of guide arms  220  from the other alternative embodiments of the mating cable connector  22  such as power signal only cable connector  422 , data signal only cable connector  448 , power signal only sable connector  460 , and combined data and power signal cable connector  480 . In the cases of power signal only cable connector  422  and combined data and power signal cable connector  480 , these connectors both have two laterally-opposed guide arms both of which mate to the guide arm receiving cavities  254 . In the cases of the data signal only cable connector  448  and power signal only cable connector  460 , these connectors each have only one guide arm for mating with one of the respective guide arm receiving cavities  254 . 
   In one embodiment, the guide arm receiving cavities  254  are approximately rectangularly shaped and may be differently sized, as particularly shown in FIG.  5 A. With brief reference to  FIG. 5B , in another embodiment, the guide arm receiving cavities  354  may be approximately oval shaped and may also be differently sized. Further with brief reference to  FIG. 5C , the housing  270  of the PCB connector  24  may further have an elongated slot  292  for the receipt of the second guide arms  458 ,  468 , and  488  of the data signal only cable connector  448 , the power signal only cable connector  460 , and the combined data and power signal cable connector  480 , respectively, all of which are shaped as elongated tongues, as previously discussed. 
   Returning to  FIGS. 2 and 5A , the housing  270  further includes substantially thickened strengthening walls  260  disposed between the cable connector receiving area  252  and the guide arm receiving cavities  254  making the PCB connector  24  very robust. 
   Accordingly, above and beyond presently manufactured cable connectors that mate to the SATA standards defined cable connector receiving area of presently manufactured PCB connectors, embodiments of the present invention relate to a more robust SATA compliant cable connector  22  and SATA compliant PCB connector  24  that avoid many of the breakage problems associated with these present devices. This further applies to the other disclosed alternative embodiments of cable connector  22  such as power signal only cable connector  422 , data signal only cable connector  448 , power signal only cable connector  460 , and combined data and power signal cable connector  480 . With the embodiments of present invention, one or both of the data blade-receiving portion  212  and/or the power blade-receiving portion  225  mate with their respective data blade connector  206  and/or power blade connector  228  of the SATA defined cable connector receiving area  252 , in which one or both of guide rails  227 , 234  of the data blade-receiving portion  212  and/or the power blade-receiving portion  225  mate with one or both of the guide slots  271  of the cable connector receiving area, respectively. 
   More particularly, according to embodiments of the invention, the housing  210  of the cable connector  22  rigidly contains one or both of the data blade-receiving portion  212  and/or the power blade-receiving portion  225 , and when the cable connector  22  is mated to the PCB connector  24 , the pair of laterally-opposed guide arms  220  of the cable connector  22  mate with the pair of laterally-opposed guide arm cavities  254  of the PCB connector  24  such that the blade-receiving portions  212 , 225  of the cable connector mate with the blade connectors  206 , 228  of the PCB connector in an aligned and firm manner such that the common problems associated with the breakage of the blade connectors is avoided. This is further applicable to the other disclosed alternative embodiments of cable connector  22  such as power signal only cable connector  422 , data signal only cable connector  448 , power signal only cable connector  460 , and combined data and power signal cable connector  480 . However, in the case of data signal only cable connector  448  and power signal only cable connector  460  only one guide arm mates with a respective guide arm receiving cavity. 
   Thus, the guide arms  220  mating with the guide arm receiving cavities  254  align the blade-receiving portions  212 , 225  of the various embodiments of the disclosed cable connectors with the blade connectors  206 , 228  of the PCB connector  24 . Moreover, much of the forces associated with the blade-receiving portions mating to the blade connectors are transferred to the guide arms  220 , the guide arm receiving cavities  254 , and the substantially thickened strengthening walls  260  of the strengthened housing  270  of the PCB connector  24 . This further reduces the forces applied to the blade connectors to further avoid breakage. 
   Also, the housing  270  of the PCB connector  24  may further include a legacy Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) power section receptacle  266 , and a user section receptacle  268 . The legacy IDE power section receptacle  266  includes various legacy pins  267 , such as 12 V and 5 V power pins and associated ground pins that are connected to the PCB  13 , and that can be used for powering a storage peripheral, such as a disk drive, instead of utilizing the SATA power blade connector. 
   Further, the housing  270  of the PCB connector  24  may further include a user section receptacle  268  that includes a plurality of square pins  269  that are utilized to command a storage peripheral, such as a disk drive, to operate in a plurality of different modes. In the disk drive embodiment, the user section receptacle  268  is often used in disk drive testing. The square pins  269  of the user section receptacle  228  are connected to the PCB  13 . 
   Embodiments of the present invention for the various cable connectors and the PCB connector  24  also provide for pre-grounding (i.e. the dissipation of electro-static discharge (ESD)). As previously discussed, one or both of the guide arms  220  of the various disclosed cable connectors may include a conductive contact  237  such as a grounding clip. 
   As will be described in more detail later, the grounding contacts  237  of the guide arms may be coupled to ground conductors of the data and power shielded cables  272 , 275  connected inside of the data and power blade-receiving portions  212 , 225 , respectively, in order to effectuate various grounding configurations for pre-grounding. Further, one or both of guide arm receiving cavities  254  may include a conductive surface such as a grounding tab  264  (e.g. a metal grounding tab). Each grounding tab  264  is coupled to ground on the PCB  13  by a ground post  263 , respectively. Also, it should be appreciated that either the rectangular or oval shaped guide arm receiving cavities may include conductive surfaces for mating with a corresponding grounding contact of a corresponding rectangular or oval shaped guide arm. 
   Accordingly, as an example, when the cable connector  22  is mated to the PCB connector  24 , the conductive contacts  237  of the guide arms  220  will engage the grounding tabs  264  of the guide arm receiving cavities  254  providing pre-grounding to either one or both of the data and/or power blade-receiving portions  212 , 225  before they engage with the corresponding data and/or power blade connectors  206 , 228 . This of course applies to the other disclosed alternative embodiments of cable connector  22  such as power signal only cable connector  422 , data signal only cable connector  448 , power signal only cable connector  460 , and combined data and power signal cable connector  480 . Specific examples of this, related to the cable connector  22  as an example, will now be described. 
   However, in an alternative embodiment, the housing  210  and the guide arms  220  may be made from a conductive plastic material such that the cable connector  22  is conductive. Further, in one embodiment, the housing  270  of the PCB connector  24  may also be made from a conductive plastic material such that the PCB connector  24  is also conductive and can be grounded. In this way, when the conductive cable connector  22  is mated to the conductive PCB connector  24 , the guide arms  220  will first engage the guide arm receiving cavities  254  providing pre-grounding to either one or both of the data and/or power blade-receiving portions  212 , 225  before they engage with the corresponding data and/or power blade connectors  206 , 228 . This also applies to the other disclosed alternative embodiments of cable connector  22  such as power signal only cable connector  422 , data signal only cable connector  448 , power signal only cable connector  460 , and combined data and power signal cable connector  480 . 
   Various types of grounding configurations for pre-grounding will now be discussed. With reference now to  FIG. 6A ,  FIG. 6A  is a schematic diagram showing a pre-grounding configuration wherein both the data blade-receiving portion  212  and the power blade-receiving portion  225  of the cable connector  22  are configured for pre-grounding to the PCB connector  24 . A plurality of data SATA signal conductors  602  of the data SATA shielded cable  272  are shown, which are located in the data blade-receiving portion  212  and are connected to the data electrical contact arrangement  213 . Particularly, a ground conductor  604  is directly coupled to a grounding contact  237  (e.g. a ground clip) of one of the guide arms  220  for pre-grounding (i.e. electro-static discharge (ESD)). This is shown as line  606  (ESD-1). Further, a plurality of power SATA signal conductors  610  of the power SATA shielded cable  274  are shown, which are located in the power blade-receiving portion  225  and are connected to the power electrical contact arrangement  232 . Particularly, a ground conductor  612  is directly coupled to a grounding contact  237  (e.g. a ground clip) of one of the guide arms  220  for pre-grounding (i.e. electro-static discharge (ESD)). This is shown as line  608  (ESD-1). 
   Accordingly, when the cable connector  22  is mated to the PCB connector  24 , the grounding contacts  237  of the guide arms  220  will engage the grounding tabs  264  of the guide arm receiving cavities  254  providing pre-grounding to the data and power blade-receiving portions  212 , 225  before they engage with the corresponding data and power blade connectors  206 , 228 . Alternatively, in the conductive cable connector and PCB connector embodiment, the ground conductors may just be coupled to the guide arms to provide pre-grounding. Further, it should be appreciated that this grounding configuration for pre-grounding is also applicable to other disclosed alternative embodiments of cable connectors such as the combined data and power signal cable connector  480 . 
   With reference now to  FIG. 6B ,  FIG. 6B  is a schematic diagram showing a pre-grounding configuration wherein the data blade-receiving portion is not present and the power blade-receiving portion  225  of the cable connector  22  is configured for pre-grounding to the PCB connector  24 . A plurality of power SATA signal conductors  610  of the power SATA shielded cable  274  are shown, which are located in the power blade-receiving portion  225  and are connected to the power electrical contact arrangement  232 . Particularly, a first ground conductor  611  is directly coupled to a grounding contact  237  (e.g. a ground clip) of one of the guide arms  220  for pre-grounding (i.e. electro-static discharge (ESD)), which is shown as line  612  (ESD-1). Further, a second ground conductor  613  is directly coupled to a grounding contact  237  (e.g. a ground clip) of one of the guide arms  220  for pre-grounding (i.e. electro-static discharge (ESD)), which is shown as line  614  (ESD-2). Accordingly, when the cable connector  22  is mated to the PCB connector  24 , the grounding contacts  237  of the guide arms  220  will engage the grounding tabs  264  of the guide arm receiving cavities  254  providing pre-grounding for the power blade-receiving portion  225  before it engages with the corresponding power blade connector  228 . Alternatively, in the conductive cable connector and PCB connector embodiment, the ground conductors may just be coupled to the guide arms to provide pre-grounding. Further, it should be appreciated that this grounding configuration for pre-grounding is also applicable to other disclosed alternative embodiments of cable connectors such as the power signal only cable connector  422  and the power signal only cable connector  460 . 
   Looking now at  FIG. 6C ,  FIG. 6C  is a schematic diagram showing a pre-grounding configuration wherein the power blade-receiving portion is not present and the data blade-receiving portion  212  of the cable connector  22  is configured for pre-grounding to the PCB connector  24 . A plurality of data SATA signal conductors  602  of the data SATA shielded cable  272  are shown, which are located in the data blade-receiving portion  212  and are connected to the data electrical contact arrangement  213 . Particularly, a first ground conductor  621  is directly coupled to a grounding contact  237  (e.g. a ground clip) of one of the guide arms  220  for pre-grounding (i.e. electro-static discharge (ESD)), which is shown as line  622  (ESD-1). Further, a second ground conductor  623  is directly coupled to a grounding contact  237  (e.g. a ground clip) of one of the guide arms  220  for pre-grounding (i.e. electro-static discharge (ESD)), which is shown as line  624  (ESD-2). Accordingly, when the cable connector  22  is mated to the PCB connector  24 , the grounding contacts  237  of the guide arms  220  will engage the grounding tabs  264  of the guide arm receiving cavities  254  providing pre-grounding for the data blade-receiving portion  225  before it engages with the corresponding data blade connector  206 . Alternatively, in the conductive cable connector and PCB connector embodiment, the ground conductors may just be coupled to the guide arms to provide pre-grounding. Further, it should be appreciated that this grounding configuration for pre-grounding is also applicable to other disclosed alternative embodiments of cable connectors such as the data signal only cable connector  448 . 
   Turning now to  FIG. 6D ,  FIG. 6D  shows the layout of the data and power signal contacts of the data and power blade connectors  206 , 228  of the PCB connector  24  onto the PCB  13  and further shows grounding tabs  264  of the guide arm receiving cavities  254  coupled to ground on PCB  13 . It should be appreciated that the grounding tabs  264  could also be coupled to a ground at another location. For example, in the disk drive embodiment, the grounding tabs could be coupled to the grounded chassis of the disk drive. 
   It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although embodiments of the invention for cable connectors have been presented having only one data blade-receiving portion, only one power blade-receiving portion, and only one data and one power blade-receiving portion that a wide variety of cable connectors having multiple types of blade-receiving portions such as: multiple data blade-receiving portions, multiple power blade-receiving portions, and multiple data and power blade-receiving portions, as well as other types of blade-receiving portions are deemed to lie within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
   It should further be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although embodiments of the invention for cable connectors and PCB connectors have been illustrated for use with storage peripherals, such as disk drives, utilizing a SATA standard, such as the Serial ATA: High Speed Serialized AT Attachment standard or the Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) standard, that numerous alternative types of cable connectors and PCB connectors for various types of electronic devices utilizing differing types standards are deemed to lie within the spirit and scope of the invention.