Abstract: A waterfall manufacturing process and apparatus are described for a data storage device. In an aspect, a determination is made during manufacturing of a magnetic storage medium reader system whether a first reader system provides less than a predetermined performance or is nonfunctioning. The reader system includes at least the first reader system and a second reader system with reader elements on the same head. When the first reader system is determined to provide less than the predetermined performance or is nonfunctioning, the reader system is reconfigured during the manufacturing to utilize the second reader system, but not utilize the first reader system, to read the magnetic storage medium. Alternatively, the reader system is reconfigured during manufacturing to read the magnetic storage medium at less than the predetermined performance, or the reader system is situated with a different data storage device configured to function with less than the predetermined performance.

Abstract: A reader failover system and method are described for a data storage system. At least two reader systems, including a first reader element and a second reader element, situated on the same head, are employed to read a magnetic storage medium. In an aspect, the head is a two-dimensional magnetic recording (TDMR) head. Control circuitry detects when the first reader system provides less than a predetermined performance or fails, and thereafter causes the second reader system, but not the first reader system, to read the magnetic storage medium. In an aspect, a buffer stores a first reader element signal until the control circuitry detects whether or not the first reader element provides less than a predetermined performance or fails. In an aspect, when a reader element fails, data recovery is performed, and all of, or a majority of, the media continues to be readable, improving the data storage system robustness.

Abstract: A data storage device comprising a storage media, a media controller, a power system and a power controller is disclosed. The media controller is configured to read data from and write data to the storage media. The power system is configured to controllably power the media controller, and the power controller is configured to autonomously transition the data storage device between a plurality of power modes, wherein the power system continuously powers the power controller through the power modes and powers down the media controller for at least one of the power modes.

Abstract: A clock divider circuit including a clock input, a clock selection input, a divider stage and a toggle stage is provided. The clock divider circuit provides an output clock based on a clock input received at the clock input. The clock selection input is coupled to the divider stage, and the divider stage is coupled to the toggle stage. A clock divide setting is updated at the clock selection input synchronously to an operation of the divider stage. In one implementation, for example, the clock divider setting is updated seamlessly. A method of transitioning an output clock signal is also provided.