Accredited Standards Committee                Doc. No.: X3T9.2/92-60
X3, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEMS
                                                  Date: March 18, 1992
                                               Project: 
                                             Ref. Doc.: 
                                              Reply to: 

To:  Mark Cummings
     Tony Wutka
     John Reimer

Re:  PCMCIA/ATA Proposal, dated February 24, 1992

On March 16, 1992 the X3T9.2 ATA Extensions Working Group considered the
reference document and has noted the following issues with the proposal:
     1)   The ATA Extensions Working Group recognizes that the CHS vs
          LBA selection method needs to be addressed in the ATA
          standard.  It has recommended that the process for
          incorporating this feature be through a public review comment
          submitted against the ATA draft standard. (This public review
          period is open until July 6, 1992 and X3T9.2 may address such
          a comment during or after the review period.)
     2)   The fact that the sector number registor is base 1 (not base
          0) causes problems with the autoincrement features in existing
          silicon.  It is proposed to treat the logical block address as
          a 28-bit unsigned register and treat the low-order 8-bits as
          an 8-bit unsigned register.  The working group recommends that
          an LBA Capable bit be added to the Drive Capability Word (Word
          49 bit 9).
     3)   If the PCMCIA/ATA definition supports the optional Card
          Configuration Status register, the use and interaction of
          these bits with ATA features and commands need to be defined
          (e.g., power down bit, IOis8 bit, interrupt, soft reset).

With the exception of the above issues, the X3T9.2 ATA Extensions
Working Group is in agreement with the PCMCIA/ATA proposal.  However, it
is premature to include the above items in the PCMCIA vote before the
issues are substantially resolved.

X3T9.2 will consider the ATA Extensions Working Group recommendations at
its meeting April 27, 1992 in St. Petersburg Beach, FL.  I would welcome
input from the PCMCIA/ATA Working Group and invite your participation at
the X3T9.2 meeting.  Enclosed is a copy of the April meeting notice.

Sincerely,



John B. Lohmeyer, Chair X3T9.2


                          MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT

                         X3T9 Plenary Meetings

                          April 27 - May 1, 1992

                      St. Petersburg Beach, Florida

                        Hosted by AMP Incorporated


      LOCATION: The Tradewinds Hotel
                5500 Gulf Boulevard
                St. Petersburg Beach, Florida  33706

  RESERVATIONS: Call 1-800-237-0707 or (813) 367-6461, FAX (813) 360-3848
                Group name is ANSI-X3T9/AMP
                Room rates are $108 - standard guestroom (all plus tax)
                               $120 - deluxe guestroom
                               $140 - one-bedroom suite
                Cutoff date for reservations is March 29, 1992.
                   Reservations made after this date will be subject to
                   space and rate availability.

    DIRECTIONS: From the Tampa International Airport:
                  go South on I275 towards St. Petersburg
                  go West on highway 652 (Pinellas Bayway)
                  turn right on Gulf Blvd. and go a few blocks
                  The Tradewinds Hotel will be on your left

TRANSPORTATION: The hotel is located a brief, scenic 30 minute drive from
                Tampa International Airport via Interstate 275, less than
                90 minutes from all major central Florida attractions.

                From Tampa International Airport, there is the "Limo
                Airport Connection" that will transport you to the hotel.
                The cost is approximately $11.25 each way and it leaves
                from the Baggage Claim area approximately every half hour,
                24 hours a day.

If there are any questions relating to the above, please contact:
                    Charles Brill or Jean Werts
                    AMP Incorporated
                    P.O. Box 3608  M/S 210-20
                    Harrisburg, PA  17105
                    (717) 561-6198 or (717) 986-7784
                    FAX (717) 561-6179