Asynchronous input/output interface protocol

A method for transmitting data between a host system and a storage device using an asynchronous interface protocol, the method comprising:

• issuing an abort function before issuing a command packet if the storage device is busy;
• transmitting a packet including the size of the next command packet to be transmitted and a start command function code from the host system to the storage device;
• setting the storage device busy signal;
• determining if the size of the next command packet is within the maximum command packet size supported by the storage device;
• issuing an error signal if the next command packet is greater than the maximum command packet size supported by the storage device.

An interface protocol for transmitting variable-sized packets between a host system and a storage device, the interface protocol comprising:

• a plurality of parallel data signals for transmitting data between the host system and the storage device;
• a plurality of address signals for indicating whether the packet includes command, data, or status information;
• an enable signal for indicating when the packets may be transmitted to and from the storage device;
• a read strobe signal;
• and
• a write strobe signal.

An interface protocol for communicating packets of information between a host system and a storage device, the interface protocol comprising:

• a status signal to indicate the state of the storage device;
• a start command signal to initiate processing of a command in the storage device;
• a command packet size signal to indicate the amount of data to be transferred between the host system and the storage device, wherein the packet size can vary between packets;
• and
• a plurality of command signals for accessing information on the storage device.