System for increasing data transfer rate using sychronous DMA transfer protocol by reducing a timing delay at both sending and receiving devices

A synchronous DMA burst transfer method is provided for transferring data between a host device and a peripheral drive device connected by an ATA bus. The method provides synchronous data transfer capability in an asynchronous system by having one device in charge of both a strobe signal and a data signal. When a host read or write command is delivered to the peripheral drive device, the peripheral device decides when to start the synchronous DMA burst. For a read command, the peripheral device requests the synchronous DMA burst then drives a data word onto the ATA bus after the host acknowledges that it is ready to begin the burst. After allowing time for the data signal to settle, the peripheral device toggles a strobe signal from a high state to a low state. The host sees the edge of the strobe signal at which time the host latches the data word on the bus. Additional data words can be driven on the bus and the strobe signal can be retoggled to latch the additional data words into the host. After all data words have been transferred, the strobe signal is returned to a high state so that it is ready to be used for another host command. By reducing the hold time of the receiving device and controlling the hold time of the sending device, the method reduces timing delays and provides a data transfer rate up to 66.7 MBytes/sec. The method is easily implemented in existing systems and is backward compatible with existing transfer protocols.