
Interface Signal Descriptions
2-3
2.1.1.1 SYM53C140 Requirements for Synchronous Negotiation
The SYM53C140 builds a table of information regarding devices on the
bus in on-chip RAM. The SDTR and WDTR information for each device
is taken from the MSG byte during negotiation. For all devices in the
configuration to communicate accurately with each other through the
SYM53C140 at Ultra2 (Fast 40) rates, it is necessary for a complete
synchronous negatiation to take place between the initatiator(s) and
target(s) prior to any data transfer. Otherwise, the SYM53C140 defaults
to Fast 20 rates.
2.1.1.2 TolerANT Technology
In the single-ended mode, the SYM53C140 features TolerANT
technology, which includes active negation on the SCSI drivers and input
signal filtering on the SCSI receivers. Active negation causes the SCSI
Request, Acknowledge, Data, and Parity signals to be actively driven
HIGH rather than passively pulled up by terminators.
TolerANT receiver technology improves data integrity in unreliable
cabling environments, where other devices would be subject to data
corruption. TolerANT receivers filter the SCSI bus signals to eliminate
unwanted transitions without the long signal delays associated with RC-
type input filters. This improved driver and receiver technology helps
eliminate double clocking of data, the single biggest reliability issue with
SCSI operations.
The benefits of TolerANT technology include increased immunity to noise
on the deasserting signal edge, better performance due to balanced duty
cycles, and improved SCSI transfer rates. In addition, TolerANT SCSI
devices prevent glitches on the SCSI bus at power-up or power-down, so
other devices on the bus are also protected from data corruption.
2.1.1.3 LVDlink Technology
To support greater device connectivity and longer SCSI cables, the
SYM53C140 features LVDlink technology, the LSI Logic implementation
of multimode LVD SCSI. LVDlink transceivers provide the inherent
reliability of differential SCSI, and a long-term migration path of faster
SCSI transfer rates.