Abstract:
A method and apparatus for providing error correction capability to longitudinal position data are disclosed. Initially, data are encoded via a set of even LPOS words and a set of odd LPOS words . The encoded data are then decoded by generating a set of syndrome bits for each of the LPOS words. A determination is then made as to whether or not there is an error within one of the LPOS words based on its corresponding syndrome bits.
Abstract:
A sampled amplitude read channel reads user data and embedded servo data stored on a magnetic medium by detecting digital data from a sequence of discrete time interpolated sample values. A write frequency synthesizer generates a write clock for writing digital data to the magnetic medium at a predetermined baud rate for a selected zone, and upon read back, a read frequency synthesizer generates a fixed sampling clock at a frequency slightly higher than the write frequency at the outer zone. A sampling device samples the analog read signal at this fixed sampling rate across the data zones and servo wedges to generate a sequence of discrete time channel samples that are not synchronized to the baud rate. Before sampling, an analog receive filter processes the read signal to attenuate aliasing noise without having to adjust its spectrum across data zones or servo wedges. A discrete time equalizing filter equalizes the channel samples according to a predetermined partial response (PR4, EPR4, EEPR4, etc.). An interpolating timing recovery circuit, responsive to the equalized channel samples, computes an interpolation interval tau and, in response thereto, generates interpolated sample values substantially synchronized to the baud rate. The timing recovery circuit also generates a synchronous data clock for clocking a discrete time sequence detector and pulse detector which detect the digital user and servo data from the interpolated sample values.
Abstract:
A programmable data sequencer is provided for controlling transfer of fixed length data blocks between variable length storage locations of a storage medium and a buffer memory within a data storage device. The data sequencer includes a writeable control store including a random access memory directly addressable by a programmed digital microcontroller of the data storage device for writing sequences of control patterns, there being dual function control patterns such that a single sequence of control patterns may be written for controlling states of the programmable data sequencer during both data read operations and data write operations to and from the storage medium and the buffer memory, a control pattern decoder for decoding the control patterns into functional values for controlling operations within the data sequencer , and a stack memory for holding user byte count values indicating respective lengths of said variable length storage locations so that the storage capacity of each said storage location is determined by the data sequencer automatically as a user byte count value associated with a particular variable length storage location is provided at the stack memory.
Abstract:
A disk in a disk drive has radial spokes (14) wherein servo bursts are recorded, and multiple concentric bands (20) holding data blocks (16) in predefined block frames (22). To maximize data density, the data rate in each band (20) is proportional to the band radius, and the ratio of block frames (22) to spokes (14) in a given band (20) may be non-integral. In such bands (20), some data blocks (16) are split by a spoke (14). A disk controller in the disk drive uses a byte position accumulator (BPA) (84) when splitting a data block (16). During the transfer of a data block (16), the BPA (84) counts at the nominal data transfer rate to continually identify by its position in the data block (16) a byte therein to be transferred shortly. The BPA (84) output feeds a latch which is normally open to receive the BPA output. A timer (64) within the disk controller establishes the rotational time at which the data transfer must be suspended to avoid a spoke (14). The timer (64) generates an early warning signal (EW2) in advance of this time which closes the latch (88). The value in the closed latch (88) is the position of the last data byte to be transferred before the split. A comparator (82) indicates when a count of bytes transferred has reached the value in the latch (88); the data transfer is then suspended until the spoke (14) has passed.
Abstract:
A data storage disk drive system uses a no-ID disk architecture. The disk is formatted by mapping the disk in the desired format and allocating the defective regions to defective sectors. The list of defective sectors is then stored in a table. The user may selectively perform this format operation without the need to perform an AC erase (320) of the entire disk and/or a write (324) of all data sectors on the disk.
Abstract:
A programmable data sequencer is provided for controlling transfer of fixed length data blocks between variable length storage locations of a storage medium and a buffer memory within a data storage device. The data sequencer includes a writeable control store including a random access memory directly addressable by a programmed digital microcontroller of the data storage device for writing sequences of control patterns, there being dual function control patterns such that a single sequence of control patterns may be written for controlling states of the programmable data sequencer during both data read operations and data write operations to and from the storage medium and the buffer memory, a control pattern decoder for decoding the control patterns into functional values for controlling operations within the data sequencer , and a stack memory for holding user byte count values indicating respective lengths of said variable length storage locations so that the storage capacity of each said storage location is determined by the data sequencer automatically as a user byte count value associated with a particular variable length storage location is provided at the stack memory.
Abstract:
A sector servo, zone bit recording disk drive (202) includes a sector architecture in which the recording head (208) locates and identifies data sectors (254) without using data ID fields, but instead using information obtained from electronic storage (212,215) and from servo sectors (220) which need not be adjacent to the data sectors. The tracks contain servo information and data, but not data sector ID information. The tracks in each zone are circumferentially divided into segments. Included in each segment is a number of data regions separated from one another by servo sectors. The data regions may contain partial data sectors and complete data sectors. The format information provided to identify and locate data sectors, including ones whose region locations are not adjacent to servo sectors, includes an entry for each region in the section. Each entry includes the lengths of the first and last data sections in the region, whether the sectors represented by those sections are split between two regions, the total number of data sectors in the region, and the sector number of the first data sector in the region. The information provided in the servo sectors consists of a servo sector number or other indicia which enables the disk drive to determine the position of the recording head and begin reading or writing immediately upon settling on-track and without incurring a latency penalty.
Abstract:
A method and means is described for writing data on a recording medium, such as a disk or tape, containing servo samples in such manner that the number of servo samples is increased with a minimal increase in overhead (non-data) regions. The tracks on the medium are divided into a plurality of maxi sections, each of which contains all fields with servo and associated overhead information and also a data field. At least one micro servo section containing only a portion of said information is located within each data field. As each micro servo section passes by an associated recording head, writing and reading of data is temporarily interrupted, but resumed when the micro servo section moves beyond the head, in such manner as to require minimal resynchronisation of said data during reading. Using a phase continuous clock, data is written in both portions of a data field to either side of each micro servo section in one pass of the disk or tape relative to the head. The micro servo sections contain no timing reference address mark and require no data encoder/decoder flush or synchronisation byte to resume reading in the portion of the data field following each micro servo section.