What Is This Tool?
This tool converts data transfer units from STS3c (signal), a SONET telecom signal rate, to IDE (PIO mode 3), a programmed I/O transfer mode used in legacy storage devices. It helps users compare or equate telecom network speeds with storage device transfer rates.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter a value in STS3c (signal) representing the data transfer rate
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Select STS3c (signal) as the source unit and IDE (PIO mode 3) as the target unit
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Click convert to see the equivalent IDE (PIO mode 3) value
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Use the result for performance comparison or testing purposes
Key Features
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Convert data transfer rates between STS3c (signal) and IDE (PIO mode 3)
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Based on defined conversion rate without guessing or approximation
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Supports telecom and legacy hardware data unit comparisons
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Browser-based and easy to use with simple input controls
Examples
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2 STS3c (signal) converts to approximately 3.5027 IDE (PIO mode 3)
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0.5 STS3c (signal) converts to approximately 0.8757 IDE (PIO mode 3)
Common Use Cases
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Provisioning high-speed telecom backbones or leased-line circuits
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Facilitating compatibility testing between telecom signals and legacy IDE devices
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Supporting retrocomputing scenarios comparing historical storage modes
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Integrating embedded systems interfacing with older IDE storage hardware
Tips & Best Practices
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Understand the context of data transfer types when interpreting conversions
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Use the tool for benchmarking or compatibility checks rather than direct throughput claims
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Remember that IDE (PIO mode 3) rates are theoretical maxima and CPU-dependent
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Consider protocol overheads as STS3c rates represent gross transport signals
Limitations
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Conversion compares different data transfer types: network transport vs. storage I/O
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Real-world IDE (PIO mode 3) speeds vary due to CPU involvement
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STS3c throughput is gross rate, excluding protocol overhead and usable payload differences
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is STS3c (signal)?
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STS3c (signal) is a SONET electrical transport signal with a gross data rate of 155.52 Mbit/s formed by concatenating three STS-1 channels, commonly used in high-bandwidth telecom circuits.
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What does IDE (PIO mode 3) represent?
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IDE (PIO mode 3) is a CPU-driven programmed I/O transfer mode for Parallel ATA/IDE storage devices with a theoretical maximum raw throughput of about 11.1 megabytes per second.
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Why convert between STS3c and IDE (PIO mode 3)?
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Users convert between these units to compare telecom network transmission speeds with legacy storage device transfer rates for benchmarking, testing, or interfacing legacy and modern systems.
Key Terminology
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STS3c (signal)
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A SONET electrical transport signal that concatenates three STS-1 channels into a high-bandwidth transport with 155.52 Mbit/s gross data rate.
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IDE (PIO mode 3)
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A programmed I/O transfer mode for Parallel ATA/IDE devices driven by the CPU, offering a theoretical maximum throughput of about 11.1 MB/s.
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Concatenation
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The process of joining multiple data streams or channels into a single contiguous payload without byte-interleaving.