Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for flaw scan in a data processing system. As one example, a data processing system is disclosed that includes a data detector circuit, a bit sign inverting circuit, and an LDPC decoder circuit. The data detector circuit receives a verification data set that is an invalid LDPC codeword, and applies a data detection algorithm to the verification data set to yield a detected output. The bit sign inverting circuit modifies the sign of one or more elements of a first derivative of the detected output to yield a second derivative of the detected output. The second derivative of the detected output is an expected valid LDPC codeword. The LDPC decoder circuit applies a decoding algorithm to the second derivative of the detected output to yield a decoded output.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing. For example, a data processing circuit is disclosed that includes an increased iteration enable signal, a first detector circuit, a second detector circuit, and a data decoding circuit. The first detector circuit receives a data set and performs a data detection on the data set to provide a detected data set. The data decoding circuit receives a derivative of the detected data set and performs a decoding process to provide a decoded data set. The decoded data set is provided to the second detector circuit based at least in part on an assertion level of the increased iteration enable signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, defects are detected on the face of a hard-disk drive platter. A preamble, a sync mark, user or pseudorandom data, and a data pad are written to every sector on a track of the platter. Inter-sector gaps that separate consecutive sectors are overwritten with a fixed data pattern such that consecutive sectors are in phase lock with one another. After the track has been written, the track is read back and analyzed. Consecutive sectors are analyzed continuously without stopping. The preambles, sync marks, data pads, and overwritten inter-sector gaps are analyzed using suitable flaw-scan techniques. The user or pseudorandom data is analyzed using both data-integrity checks and suitable flaw-scan techniques. This process is repeated for all tracks on the disk, and defect detection is completed when all tracks have been analyzed.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for power management are disclosed herein. For example, a synchronous semiconductor circuit is disclosed that includes two or more clock sources and a power management controller. The power management controller is operable to apply power to one of the clock sources and to select another of the clock sources for synchronization of the circuit. Then, upon stabilization of the first clock source, it is selected by the power management controller to synchronize the circuit.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for controlling access to a magnetic storage medium. As one example, a method for controlling access to a magnetic storage medium is disclosed that includes providing a location count indicating a location between a portion of a first servo data sector of a magnetic storage media and a portion of a second servo data sector of the magnetic storage media, and asserting an enable window signal based upon the location count.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for reduced latency feedback in a data processing system. For example, some embodiments provide a data processing system that includes a variable gain amplifier, a processing circuit, a data detector, and an error signal calculation circuit. The variable gain amplifier amplifies a data input signal and provides an amplified signal. The processing circuit generates a signal output corresponding to the amplified signal, and includes a conditional multiplication circuit. The conditional multiplication circuit conditionally multiplies the signal output by a gain correction signal and provides the result as an interim output. The data detector applies a data detection algorithm to the signal output and provides an ideal output. The error signal calculation circuit generates a gain correction signal based at least in part on the interim output and a derivative of the ideal output.

Abstract: A modular, adaptive power management system includes a hard disk drive controller, a read channel module, a host interface controller and a power manager system. The hard disk controller includes a processor executing firmware, and the host interface controller provides for host access via a host interface. The system includes a power island register and an oscillation control register. Both registers are writable via the firmware and via the host interface. The hard disk controller, the interface controller, the read channel module and the power manager system are implemented across two or more distinct power islands and use two or more distinct clocks. Power to the two or more distinct power islands is at least in part controlled by the power manager system via the power island register, and the two or more distinct clocks are each controlled by the power manager system via the oscillation control register.

Abstract: Methods and structure described herein provide for adjusting an error correction capability of an LDPC error correction code. For example, the system of one embodiment includes a decoder adapted to decode data that has been encoded with a LDPC error correction code. The system also includes a detector communicatively coupled to the decoder and adapted to estimate bit values in the data prior to decoding by the decoder. The detector is further adapted to change bit values based on bit value estimations to reduce the error correction capability of the LDPC error correction code. The reduction in error correction capability is adjustable such that sector failure rates of storage devices may be incrementally analyzed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide data processing circuits that include a multiplexer, a memory buffer, a data processing circuit, and a channel setting modification circuit. A first input of the multiplexer receives an input data set and a second input of the multiplexer receives a buffered data set. The multiplexer provides either the input data set or the buffered data set as a multiplexer output based upon a select signal. The memory buffer receives the multiplexer output and provides the buffered data set. Operation of the data processing circuit is at least in part governed by channel settings. The data processing circuit receives the multiplexer output and performs a data detection process. The select signal is asserted to select the buffered data set when the data detection process fails, and is asserted to select the input data set when the data detection process succeeds.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for power management are disclosed herein. For example, a synchronous semiconductor circuit is disclosed that includes two or more clock sources and a power management controller. The power management controller is operable to apply power to one of the clock sources and to select another of the clock sources for synchronization of the circuit. Then, upon stabilization of the first clock source, it is selected by the power management controller to synchronize the circuit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, defects are detected on the face of a hard-disk drive platter. A preamble, a sync mark, user or pseudorandom data, and a data pad are written to every sector on a track of the platter. Inter-sector gaps that separate consecutive sectors are overwritten with a fixed data pattern such that consecutive sectors are in phase lock with one another. After the track has been written, the track is read back and analyzed. Consecutive sectors are analyzed continuously without stopping. The preambles, sync marks, data pads, and overwritten inter-sector gaps are analyzed using suitable flaw-scan techniques. The user or pseudorandom data is analyzed using both data-integrity checks and suitable flaw-scan techniques. This process is repeated for all tracks on the disk, and defect detection is completed when all tracks have been analyzed.

Abstract: The present invention is a programmable QC LDPC encoder for encoding user data. The encoder may be configurable for implementation with a read channel. The encoder may include a plurality of barrel shifter circuits. The barrel shifter circuits are configured for generating a plurality of parity bits based on interleaved user bits received by the encoder. The barrel shifter circuits are further configured for outputting the parity bits. The encoder may further include an encoder interleaver memory. The encoder interleaver memory may be communicatively coupled with the barrel shifter circuits and may receive the parity bits output from the barrel shifter circuits. The encoder interleaver may be configured for interleaving the parity bits. Further, the encoder may be configured for outputting the interleaved parity bits to a multiplexer. The barrel shifter circuits may generate the plurality of parity bits via an encoding algorithm: p=u*GT.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for media defect detection. For example, a media defect detection systems is disclosed that includes a data input derived from a medium, a fast envelope calculation circuit that receives the data input and provides a fast decay envelope value based on the data input, a slow envelope calculation circuit that receives the data input and provides a slow decay envelope value based on the data input, and a media defect detection circuit. The media defect detection circuit receives the slow decay envelope value and the fast decay envelope value, calculates a ratio value of the fast decay envelope value to the slow decay envelope value, and asserts a defect output based at least in part on the comparison of the ratio value to a defect threshold value.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for controlling access to a magnetic storage medium. As one example, a method for controlling access to a storage medium is disclosed that includes calculating a point to point error amount, and generating a incremental error value based at least in part on the point to point error amount. The incremental error value is applied incrementally across a defined number of clock cycles.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing. For example, a variable iteration data processing system is disclosed that includes at least a first detector, a second detector, a decoder, and a queuing buffer. The first detector is operable to perform a data detection on an input data set at a first time. The decoder receives a derivation of an output from the first detector and performs a decoding process. Where the decoding process fails to converge, the decoder output is passed to the second detector for a subsequent detection and decoding process at a second time.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data regeneration. For example, a method for data regeneration is disclosed that includes receiving a data input derived from a medium, determining a media defect corresponding to the data input, and determining an attenuation factor associated with the defective medium. Based at least in part on the determination that the medium is defective, amplifying the data input by a derivative of the attenuation factor to regenerate the data.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for equalizing an input signal. For example, various embodiments of the present invention provide a method for performing equalization in a storage device. Such methods include providing an equalizer circuit that is governed by a target value, and a filter circuit that is governed by a filter coefficient. An initial value is provided to the equalizer circuit as the target value, and an overall target based at least in part on the initial value and the filter coefficient is calculated. An updated value is calculated based on the overall target, and the updated value is provided to the equalizer circuit as the target value.

Abstract: A timing recovery circuit for magnetic recording applications that use preamble synchronization bits. The timing recovery circuit uses a modified digital phase lock loop having a digital rotator. An analog to digital converter (ADC) receives an analog input and provides ADC digital samples to the digital rotator. In order to compensate for analog delay and slewing, it is noted that changing the sampling point in the ADC is equivalent to introducing a phase change in the output. This phase change can be introduced much faster digitally, using a digital rotator, for example, than through changing the analog sampling points. The digital rotator snaps to an initial phase estimate almost instantly as compared to the time required to change the ADC sampling points. As the ADC slews to the initial phase estimate, the digital rotator derotates in step until the ADC reaches the initial phase estimate.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for power management are disclosed herein. For example, a synchronous semiconductor circuit is disclosed that includes two or more clock sources and a power management controller. The power management controller is operable to apply power to one of the clock sources and to select another of the clock sources for synchronization of the circuit. Then, upon stabilization of the first clock source, it is selected by the power management controller to synchronize the circuit.

Abstract: A circuit locks onto a frequency of data encoded on a medium, taking frequency variations in the physical travel of the medium into account. The circuit includes a disk locked clock (DLC) circuit having a synthesizer operating under digital control based on a feedback signal to produce a servo reference clock and a read reference clock that track frequency variations in the physical travel of the medium. A recovered clock signal is produced based on the servo reference clock and the read reference clock. A digital phase locked loop maintains a frequency lock of the recovered clock signal. An error measurement circuit is connected to the digital phase locked loop. The error measurement circuit produces the feedback signal for digitally controlling the digital logic circuit synthesizer to produce the servo reference clock and the read reference clock that track frequency variations in the physical travel of the medium.