Merge pull request #292 from 092vk/axonDocSATA

Axon: Storage: SATA: Added doc for SATA slot

Author: avi951

source/_static/images/rk3588-axon/axon-SATA.webp

@@ -1,9 +1,125 @@
-
 #############
 SATA
 #############
 
 .. note::
 
-   **Documentation coming soon!** 
-   This section will be updated shortly with detailed instructions and information. Stay tuned for more!
+   The vicharak-axon board includes a native SATA interface designed to connect one or more SATA drives. This page documents how to use the SATA interface on the board.
+
+Overview
+--------
+
+- The SATA interface on the vicharak-axon board is exposed to the host operating system as standard storage devices (e.g., /dev/sda or /sdX).
+- The interface is designed for straightforward data transfer, drive management, and typical OS-level tooling (partitioning, formatting, mounting, SMART monitoring).
+
+.. image:: /_static/images/rk3588-axon/axon-SATA.webp
+   :width: 70%
+
+SATA connectors and power
+--------------------------
+
+The board provides a 16-pin SATA 3.0 connector that integrates both SATA data and power signals.
+
+- Data connector: standard 7-pin SATA data connector
+- Power connector: power slots are provided for 5v and 12v besides SATA slot
+
+Getting started
+---------------
+
+.. figure:: /_static/images/rk3588-axon/axon-sata-hat.webp
+   :width: 70%
+
+   Vicharak axon board connected with SATA expansion board/HAT
+
+.. note::
+
+    In the following commands, the SATA storage device is represented as /dev/sdX. Use the lsblk command to determine the correct device name assigned by the Linux system, and replace /dev/sdX accordingly before executing the commands.
+
+
+- Steps:
+
+  1) Connect a SATA drive like a SATA HDD or SSD to the board using a Vicharak SATA expansion board or HAT with SATA data cable as shown in image above.
+  2) Power on the board and boot into the operating system.
+  3) Confirm the OS detects the drive:
+
+     .. code-block:: bash
+
+        lsblk
+        sudo dmesg | grep -i sata
+
+     to verify /dev/sdX (e.g., /dev/sda or /dev/sdb) appears.
+  4) Partition and format the drive as needed:
+
+     - Create a partition table and partitions.
+     - Create filesystems (e.g., ext4, xfs).
+  5) Mount the filesystem:
+     - Create a mount point and mount the new partition:
+
+     .. code-block:: bash
+
+        sudo mkdir -p /mnt/data
+        sudo mount /dev/sdX1 /mnt/data
+
+Using Linux with the SATA interface
+------------------------------------
+
+- Detecting drives:
+
+
+  .. code-block:: bash
+
+    lsblk -f
+    sudo fdisk -l
+- Creating partitions and filesystems:
+
+  .. code-block:: bash
+
+    sudo parted /dev/sdX mklabel gpt
+    sudo parted -a optimal /dev/sdX mkpart primary ext4 0% 100%
+    sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdX1
+- Mounting and fstab:
+
+  .. code-block:: bash
+
+    sudo mkdir -p /mnt/data
+    sudo mount /dev/sdX1 /mnt/data
+- Basic health and monitoring:
+
+  .. code-block:: bash
+
+    sudo smartctl -a /dev/sdX
+    sudo lsblk -f
+    sudo blkid
+
+Troubleshooting
+---------------
+
+- Drive not detected:
+
+  - Verify power is connected to the drive.
+  - Re-seat the SATA data and power cables.
+  - Try a different SATA port on the board.
+
+- Drive detected but inaccessible:
+
+  - Verify partition table and filesystem:
+
+    .. code-block:: bash
+
+      sudo fdisk -l /dev/sdX
+      sudo file -s /dev/sdX1
+
+  - Check dmesg for errors related to the SATA controller or drive:
+
+    .. code-block:: bash
+
+      dmesg | grep -i sata
+- Data access issues:
+
+  - Check filesystem integrity:
+
+    .. code-block:: bash
+
+      sudo fsck /dev/sdX1
+
+  - Ensure proper mounting options and permissions.