UDMA

The Ultra DMA (Ultra Direct Memory Access, UDMA) modes are the fastest methods used to transfer data through the ATA hard disk interface, usually between a computer and an ATA device. UDMA succeeded Single/Multiword DMA as the interface of choice between ATA devices and the computer. There are eight different UDMA modes, ranging from 0 to 6 for ATA (0 to 7 for CompactFlash), each with its own timing.

Modes faster than UDMA mode 2 require an 80-conductor cable to reduce data settling times, lower impedance and reduce crosstalk.

Transfer modes
ModeNumberAlso calledMaximum transfer
rate (MB/s)
Minimum
cycle time
Defining
standard
Ultra DMA 016.7120 nsATA-4
125.080 nsATA-4
2Ultra ATA/3333.360 nsATA-4
344.445 nsATA-5
4Ultra ATA/6666.730 nsATA-5
5Ultra ATA/10010020 nsATA-6
6Ultra ATA/13313315 nsATA-7
7Ultra ATA/16716712 nsCompactFlash 6.0