[comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware] Adaptec AHA1542B max bus speed

scotte@applix.com (Scott Evernden) (01/04/91)

I couldn't get an answer from Adaptec tech. or any local distributors,
and no one's calling me back, so I ask you- what's the max bus speed
rating for the 1542B?

-scott

neese@adaptx1.UUCP (01/08/91)

>/* ---------- "Adaptec AHA1542B max bus speed" ---------- */
>I couldn't get an answer from Adaptec tech. or any local distributors,
>and no one's calling me back, so I ask you- what's the max bus speed
>rating for the 1542B?

The 154x adapter has the ability to move data across the AT bus at up
to 10MBytes/sec, but so far no one has built an AT that can allow true
10MB/sec data rates.  The card may work at this setting in some systems
but is actually slowed down by the IOCHRDY signal.  This signal is
implemented on the motherboard and very differently from manufacturer
to manufacturer.
There is also no jumper on the adapter for this speed setting, but can be
done via software.

			Roy Neese
			Adaptec Senior SCSI Applications Engineer
			UUCP @  neese@adaptex
				uunet!cs.utexas.edu!utacfd!
				  {nominil,merch,cpe}!adaptex!neese
				uunet!mlite!adaptex!neese

ssingh@watserv1.waterloo.edu (The Sanj-Machine aka Ice) (01/13/91)

In article <284500010@adaptx1> neese@adaptx1.UUCP writes:
>
>There is also no jumper on the adapter for this speed setting, but can be
>done via software.
>
>			Roy Neese

From:
		aha-1540B/1542B user's manual rev 0.3 Dec. 1989

3.3.1.7 DMA Transfer Speed Default

Pin-pairs 12 and 13 of jumper block J5 set the default DMA transfer speed.
[stuff skipped] This speed may also be tuned to allow for the fastest
possible transfer (minimum bus on time) for any particular system by
using the Host Adapter command Set Transfer Speed. The Host Adapter
command overrides the jumper settings.

		Pin Pair		DMA Speed
		12  13			
============================================================

		 0   0			5.0 MB/s
		 x   0                 	5.7	
		 0   x			6.7
		 x   x			8.0

5.0 MB/s is the default. I was able to get the adapter and Seagate ST 296N
drive working at the next speed up.

Another version of the documentation I have for the 1540A/1542A has
speeds of 5.0, 6.7, 8.0, 10, and then 5.7. This is section 5.1.1.10.

These inconsistencies are irritating. But Adaptec is widely supported
so I guess they must be doing something right.

Ice.

-- 
"No one had the guts... until now!"  
$anjay $ingh     Fire & "Ice"     ssingh@watserv1.[u]waterloo.{edu|cdn}/[ca]
ROBOTRON Hi-Score: 20 Million Points | A new level of (in)human throughput...
"The human race is inefficient and therefore must be destroyed."-Eugene Jarvis