Abstract: The present invention includes an improved suspension assembly comprises a suspension including a load beam and a gimbal, a FOS having a polymer portion (or flex circuit) and a trace portion, wherein the FOS is connected to the suspension. The present invention further includes a slider that is electrically connected to a ground trace and the ground trace is further electrically connected to the suspension. The present invention also includes a plateau gimbal, which comprises of a portion of the ground trace positioned between the flex circuit and the slider thereby elevating the slider to the level of the bond pads on the FOS.

Abstract: An improved suspension assembly comprises a suspension, a slider and a ground trace. The suspension includes a load beam and a gimbal connected to a distal end of the load beam, the gimbal having a slider opposing face. The slider supports a transducing head and the slider supported by the slider opposing face of the gimbal. The slider includes a slider body having a gimbal opposing face and a disc opposing face, the slider body having a forward face extending between the gimbal opposing face and the disc opposing face. A slider bond pad and a slider ground pad are located on the forward face of the slider body. A ground trace is interconnected with the slider ground pad.