LSI has begun sampling its 65nm multi-interface Physical Layer (PHY) IP for hard disk drives (HDD) in notebook and desktop PCs.

The LSI TrueStore PHY8800 delivers data transfer rates as high as 6Gbit/s to support the next-generation Serial ATA (SATA) and Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) interface standards.

Compatible with SATA, SAS, and Fibre Channel (FC-PI-2) protocols, it is will reduce power consumption by about 10 per cent from the previous generation PHY, said the supplier.

There are also new test features which include a firmware-controllable signal analyser that enables engineers at HDD makers to observe, debug and clean up signals.

According to Ruediger Stroh, executive v-p and general manager of the LSI Storage Peripherals Group: "This new PHY has been developed as part of a total recording system design that includes new read channels, ARM cores, and hard disk controller IP that will be integrated into next generation 65nm system-on-chip (SoC)."