Today we see an excellent example of this in the new MacAir. Although it can go into a deep sleep mode, enabling Power Nap enables the system to continuously update while in that mode:

https://www.apple.com/ca/macbook-air/features.html

This is exactly as we spoke and as has been described by integral industry professionals.

“The DevSleep specification allows implementers flexibility regarding what the device actually does when the DEVSLP signal is asserted. The device may completely power down its PHY, and it may also choose to power down other subsystems, as long as it can meet the exit latency requirements.”

“DevSleep enables hosts and devices to completely shut down the SATA interface” –That is from that document. I’ve already read every word of that, and nowhere does it say it updates while in DEXSLP. I haven’t seen that anywhere.

Thank you for your input. The SATA Devslp spec (listed below) accounts for exactly as we describe above and is not simply a means of shutting a system down in an ultra low mode. Our description and article comes from discussion with several industry professionals as well as the SATA Devslp spec here: https://www.sata-io.org/documents/SATA-DevSleep-and-RTD3-WP.pdf

You are correct in your statements that it does shut the system down to an ultra low mode but a review of the document will describe the different levels of devslp and what can be accomplished at each.