Serial ATA International Organization (SATA-IO), the consortium responsible for the serial ATA (SATA) technology, today announced it is developing a specification for a mini-SATA (mSATA) interface connector.

This new low-profile connector will enable more effective SATA integration in small form factor applications.

mSATA leverages the speed and reliability of the SATA interface to provide a high-performance, cost-effective storage solution for smaller devices like notebooks and netbooks. The specification maps SATA signals onto an existing small form factor connector, enabling more compact integration in a wide variety of applications for both hard disk (HDD) and solid state drives (SSDs). The mSATA connector allows companies to increase the storage offerings of their products without compromising valuable space.

mSATA is particularly beneficial for manufacturers planning to incorporate small form factor SSDs (approximately the size of a business card) in portable PC devices, where space utilization and cost minimization are key concerns.

mSATA will support 1.5 Gb/s and 3.0 Gb/s transfer rates.

Development of the mSATA specification is being driven by members of the SATA-IO Cable and Connector Working Group, including Dell, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, SanDisk, STEC and Toshiba.