What Is This Tool?
This tool converts data transfer measurements from STS3 (payload), representing the user-data capacity of SONET STS-3 frames, to IDE (PIO mode 3), a legacy programmed I/O transfer mode used for Parallel ATA/IDE storage devices. It helps compare telecom transmission rates with older storage device speeds.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the value in STS3 (payload) units you wish to convert
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Select IDE (PIO mode 3) as the target unit
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Click the convert button to see the equivalent transfer rate
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Use the result to analyze or compare telecom and legacy device data rates
Key Features
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Converts STS3 (payload) data rates to IDE (PIO mode 3) transfer speeds
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Browser-based and easy to use for quick calculations
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Supports telecom and legacy hardware data transfer comparisons
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Includes clear definitions and context for both units
Examples
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1 STS3 (payload) equals 1.692972973 IDE (PIO mode 3)
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5 STS3 (payload) converts to 8.464864865 IDE (PIO mode 3)
Common Use Cases
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Planning and provisioning carrier backbone OC-3 telecom circuits
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Comparing high-speed telecom capacities to legacy storage data transfer rates
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Embedded or industrial systems working with older IDE devices lacking DMA support
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Performance and compatibility testing in retrocomputing scenarios
Tips & Best Practices
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Use this converter for theoretical capacity comparisons, not real-world throughput estimations
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Consider protocol and data encapsulation differences when interpreting results
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Verify use cases match legacy IDE mode or telecom payload contexts
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Apply results in system compatibility assessments or capacity planning tasks
Limitations
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Conversion assumes theoretical maximum transfer rates without overhead or inefficiencies
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Does not reflect real-world communication delays or protocol differences
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IDE (PIO mode 3) is far slower and CPU-dependent compared to modern technologies
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Direct practical equivalence between telecom and storage transfer rates is limited
Frequently Asked Questions
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What does STS3 (payload) represent?
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STS3 (payload) is the user-data portion of a SONET Synchronous Transport Signal level 3 frame, indicating the bytes available for client traffic within an STS-3 channel.
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What is IDE (PIO mode 3)?
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IDE (PIO mode 3) is a programmed I/O transfer mode for Parallel ATA/IDE storage devices with a theoretical maximum throughput of about 11.1 megabytes per second.
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Why convert between these two units?
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Converting helps compare telecom transmission capacities with legacy storage transfer rates, useful in cross-technology performance evaluations and compatibility assessments.
Key Terminology
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STS3 (payload)
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The user-data portion of a SONET Synchronous Transport Signal level 3 frame, representing bytes used for carrying client traffic.
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IDE (PIO mode 3)
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A programmed I/O transfer mode for Parallel ATA/IDE devices, CPU-driven, with a theoretical max throughput of ~11.1 MB/s.
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Payload
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Data bytes available for client or user data transmission within a communication signal frame.