Abstract: A read sensor that includes an unbalanced synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) free layer structure. The unbalanced SAF free layer structure includes a first magnetic layer having a first magnetic moment value and a second magnetic layer having a second magnetic moment value that is different from the first magnetic moment value. A separation layer is included between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer are antiferromagnetically coupled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the temperature control of a component within a storage system wherein the storage system includes a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the component to control the temperature of the component. One method includes: generating a flow of heat transfer fluid through the heat exchanger to transfer heat to or from the heat exchanger; receiving a set point signal indicative of the desired temperature of the component in the storage system; receiving temperature data regarding the component and the heat transfer fluid, and generating an output signal to control the flow of heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid may be a gas or liquid.

Abstract: A modular fan assembly for use in a multi-device storage enclosure. In some embodiments, the fan assembly has a rigid open frame with opposing first and second ends. A first fan is connected to the first end and a second fan is connected to the second end. The first and second fans are configured to establish a fluidic airflow through the frame. An airflow diverter positioned in an intermediate portion of the frame between the first and second ends divert at least a portion of the fluidic airflow through a first aperture of the frame to cool an active element outside the frame.

Abstract: A data storage device having a housing member for a selected one of a 3½ inch form factor hard disc drive (HDD) or a 2½ inch form factor HDD. A spindle motor coupled to the housing member supports a rotatable data recording disc with a plurality of data tracks and an outermost perimeter. The outermost perimeter has an average overall radius of 48.5 millimeters, mm responsive to the housing member being for a 3½ inch form factor HDD or an average overall radius of 33.5 mm responsive to the housing member being for a 2½ inch form factor HDD. The rotatable data recording disc further has an outermost data track at an average selected radius such that the difference between the average overall radius of the outermost perimeter and the average selected radius is more than 1 mm.

Abstract: A data reader may have a magnetoresistive stack consisting of at least magnetically free and magnetically fixed structures. The magnetically fixed structure can be set to a first magnetization direction by a first pinning structure separated from an air bearing surface by a front shield portion of a magnetic shield. The front shield portion may be set to a different second magnetization direction by a second pinning structure.

Abstract: Technologies for modular cooling systems for cooling electronic components installed in equipment racks are provided herein. A modular cooling system comprises a cold plate and a support manifold connected to the cold plate. Together, the support manifold and cold plate define a fluid path for cooling fluid from the support manifold to the cold plate. The modular cooling system also includes an equipment carrier including equipment cooled by the cold plate.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method contemplating handling a workpiece on a surface. A mounting block is selectively movable in a first direction toward the surface. A finger is coupled to the mounting block so that the finger is retractable in a second nonparallel direction opposed to the first direction. The finger supports an engagement member operably contacting the workpiece and subject to a reaction force from the workpiece that retracts the finger during movement of the mounting block in the first direction. The engagement member traverses the surface as a result of simultaneous movement of the mounting block in the first direction and retraction of the finger in the second direction.

Abstract: A method of forming a uniform thickness layer of a selected material on a surface of a substrate comprises steps of: (a) providing a multi-stage cathode sputtering apparatus comprising a group of spaced-apart cathode/target assemblies and a means for transporting at least one substrate/workpiece past each cathode/target assembly, each cathode/target assembly comprising a sputtering surface oriented substantially parallel to the first surface of the substrate during transport past the group of cathode/target assemblies, the group of cathode/target assemblies adapted for providing different angular sputtered film thickness profiles; and (b) transporting the substrate past each cathode/target assembly while providing different sputtered film thickness profiles from at least some of the cathode/target assemblies, such that a plurality of sub-layers is deposited on the surface of the substrate/workpiece which collectively form a uniform thickness layer of the selected material.

Abstract: An SSD controller dynamically adjusts read thresholds in an NVM to reduce errors due to device threshold voltage distribution shifts, thus improving performance, reliability, and/or cost of a storage sub-system, such as an SSD. A retention drift clock uses one or more reference pages (or ECC units or blocks) on one or more NVM die as read threshold over time/temperature references, and uses a function of those values as a measure of drift (over time/temperature). At some initial time, the one or more reference pages are programmed and an initial read threshold is measured for each of the one or more reference pages. In some embodiments, read threshold values are averaged among one or more of: all references pages on the same die; and all reference pages in the same one or more die in an I/O device.

Abstract: A method including increasing spare space in a storage subsystem including a flash memory, wherein the storage subsystem includes compressed data stored in the flash memory; extending a lifetime of the storage subsystem to achieve a stored selected minimum lifetime, based at least in part as a result of the increasing spare space; identifying at least one aspect associated with the lifetime of the storage subsystem; and delaying, based at least upon one identified aspect, at least one operation that reduces the lifetime of the storage subsystem, wherein the delaying at least one operation includes delaying a command that initiates the at least one operation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for communicating over a wireless network. In accordance with some embodiments, an access point (AP) device is provided that is capable of transitioning from a low power standby mode to an operational mode responsive to receipt of a wireless communication signal from a client device coupled to the AP device.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of memory devices and a controller. The controller is coupled to the plurality of memory devices and configured to store data in the plurality of memory devices using units of super-blocks. Each super-block comprises a block from each of the plurality of memory devices and the controller balances time efficiency and robustness during collection of statistics from soft reads of each super-block.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for aggregating storage elements. In accordance with various embodiments, a virtual storage space is formed across a plurality of storage elements each comprising an array of data storage devices. A virtual controller comprises a first storage element aggregator (SEA) configured to issue a first command to a selected storage element in response to receipt by the first SEA of a first host command. The virtual controller further comprises a second SEA configured to concurrently issue a second command to the selected storage element in response to receipt by the second SEA of a second host command.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic read-write head, including the steps of presenting a row bar to a processing location, the row bar including an air bearing surface, at least one read-write head, at least one electronic lapping guide, and at least one trigger device, wherein each electronic lapping guide is positioned at a different distance from the air bearing surface than each trigger device, and wherein the read-write head and at least one of the trigger devices include a multi-layer stack of materials; lapping the air bearing surface while measuring the electrical resistance of at least one electronic lapping guide and at least one trigger device until the resistance measurement of the trigger device provides an open circuit reading, and measuring an offset resistance value of the at least one electronic lapping guide concurrently with the measurement of the open circuit reading by the trigger device.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for sealing a fluid dynamic bearing motor. A first and a second folded fluid channel are shaped for maximizing bearing axial span and establishing angular stiffness, to resist gyroscopic rocking of the facing bearing surfaces. The first folded fluid channel is limited to occupying at least a portion of the same axial space as the bearing. A first and a second fluid sealing system are connected to opposite axial ends of the bearing. The first fluid sealing system forms an active pumping seal to pump fluid during motor rotation. In an aspect, a top cover attached shaft, and a single thrust surface are employed, allowing for a rigid motor structure and power reduction in applications including high rotational speed disc drives. Also, by employing a rigid shaft design, significantly lower amplitude radial vibration responses are exhibited at higher frequencies than prior art motor designs.

Abstract: A read threshold voltage for a memory is adjusted based on a bit error rate based on decoded data for a plurality of read threshold voltages. The read threshold voltage can be adjusted by reading the memory at a current read threshold voltage to obtain a read value; applying a hard decision decoder to the read value; determining if the hard decision decoder converges for the read value to a converged word; storing bits corresponding to the converged word as reference bits and, if the hard decision decoder converges, (i) computing a bit error rate for the current read threshold voltage based on the reference bits; (ii) adjusting the current read reference voltage to a new read threshold voltage; and (iii) reading the memory at the new read threshold voltage to obtain a new read value, until a threshold is satisfied; and once the threshold is satisfied, selecting the read threshold voltage based on the bit error rates.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for read retry operations that estimate written data based on syndrome weights. One method comprises reading a codeword from a memory multiple times using multiple read reference voltages; obtaining a syndrome weight for each of the readings of the codeword; identifying a given reading of the codeword having a substantially minimum syndrome weight; and estimating a written value of the codeword based on the given reading. Two cell voltage probability distributions of cell voltages are optionally calculated for each possible cell state of the memory, based on the estimated written value and plurality of readings of the codeword. The cell voltage probability distributions are used to (i) dynamically select log likelihood ratio values for a failing page. (ii) determine a read reference voltage that gives a desired log likelihood ratio value, or (iii) dynamically select log likelihood ratio values for the page populations associated with the distributions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for adaptive read threshold voltage tracking with separate characterization on each side of a voltage distribution about a distribution mean. A read threshold voltage for a memory is adjusted by determining statistical characteristics of two adjacent memory levels based at least in part on a type of statistical distribution of the memory levels and a distribution of data values read from cells using a plurality of read threshold voltages, wherein the statistical characteristics of the two adjacent memory levels are characterized independently on two sides about at least one mean of the statistical distribution; computing an adjusted read threshold voltage associated with the two adjacent memory levels by using the statistical characteristics of the two adjacent memory levels; and updating the read threshold voltage based on the adjusted read threshold voltage. The adjustment is optionally performed responsive to one or more read errors.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for adaptive read threshold voltage tracking with gap estimation between default read threshold voltages. A read threshold voltage for a memory is adjusted by estimating a gap between two adjacent default read threshold voltages; determining statistical characteristics of two adjacent memory levels based at least in part on a type of statistical distribution of the memory levels, a distribution of data values read from one or more cells using a plurality of read threshold voltages and the gap; computing an adjusted read threshold voltage associated with the two adjacent memory levels by using the statistical characteristics of the two adjacent memory levels; and updating the read threshold voltage with the adjusted read threshold voltage. The adjustment is optionally performed responsive to one or more read errors.

Abstract: A variety of data storage devices, methods and systems are implemented for control of memory associated with backup functionality. One such data storage device includes a power circuit that provides main power. The data storage device has a first solid-state memory circuit that maintains data in the absence of electrical power. A second memory circuit is subject to data loss in the absence of electrical power. A storage circuit stores energy and provides the stored energy to the second memory circuit in response to a loss of main power. A test circuit discharges a portion of the stored energy to provide output data indicative of power-providing capabilities of the storage circuit. A memory controller controls data transfers to the data storage device by temporarily storing data destined for the first solid-state memory circuit and setting the amount of memory available for temporary storage in response to the output data.