Kring Should I be able to directly connect an SSD drive to the AA+ ?
It can depend on two things.
1) the current draw (especially when writing) of the particular SSD, and,
2) the current available from the power pins of the USB port.
If you cannot find the specs for your SSD, you can measure the current draw by connecting the SSD to a computer with a good known USB 3 port, through one of the USB meters, for example this cheap Amazon one
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D9Y6ZFW
Do a sustained write (for a few seconds) and look at the current draw.
The second criterion depends on the ASIAIR. In the case of the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B based ASIAIR (second generation), you can see the specs here:
https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/raspberry-pi.html#maximum-power-output
I have no idea what the third generation ASIAIR uses in its USB implementation since the Compute Module 4 does not come with USB ports; and there is no documentation at the ZWO web site, so you would need to ask them.
In the meantime, you can always test through a powered USB hub. If the SSD works through the powered hub, but not when the SSD is directly connected to the ASIAIR USB port, then it is likely that the third generation ASIAIR's USB port does not supply enough power to your SSD.
For what its worth, I have no problem using a (bus powered) Samsung T7 SSD connected directly to one of the USB 3 port of a second generation ASIAIR. But I had checked the specs to make sure it is within specs, before buying the SSD.
(This is exactly why I let other guinea pigs try out the third generation ASIAIR before I buy one. There is just not enough documentation on the third genaration ASIAIR hardware to decide whether I can use one trouble free.)
Chen
