Parallel ATA

Parallel ATA (PATA) is a computer storage interface that transfers data between a host and storage devices over a parallel cable. It was widely used for hard drives and optical drives before Serial ATA became standard.

Connect

ATA command set: A set of commands that host systems use to control ATA storage devices. PATA carries ATA commands as well as data between the host and a drive.
IBM Personal Computer/AT: IBM's 1984 personal computer that introduced the AT bus and an early hard-drive interface. The interface later called ATA grew from the PC/AT hard-drive connection.
Serial ATA: A computer storage interface that transfers data serially between a host and storage devices. SATA replaced PATA in most PCs with a faster, simpler cable connection.
Hard disk drive: A data-storage device that records information magnetically on rotating disks. PATA was a common connection for desktop and laptop hard drives.
Clock skew: The difference in arrival times of related signals in a digital system. Signal timing differences across PATA's parallel cable constrained reliable transfer speeds.
IDE interface: A storage interface that integrates a drive controller with the drive or its connection. IDE became a common name for the PATA connection and its integrated drive electronics.
Western Digital: An American data-storage company that developed disk drives and storage-interface technology. Western Digital helped develop the integrated drive electronics behind early ATA.
SCSI: A family of standards for connecting and controlling computer peripherals and storage devices. SCSI offered more devices and capabilities per bus than a typical PATA channel.
Optical disc drive: A device that reads or writes data on optical discs such as CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs. Many CD and DVD drives used PATA before SATA became widespread.
Crosstalk: Unwanted coupling of signals between neighboring conductors or circuits. Interference among PATA cable conductors became harder to control at higher data rates.