Abstract: To protect memory cards, such as SD type cards, and similar devices from Electrostatic Discharge (ESD), the input pads of the device include points along their edges that are aligned with correspond points on a conductive frame structure mounted adjacent the input pad to form a spark gap. The input pads are connected to a memory controller or other ASIC over signal lines that include a diode located between the input pad and the ASIC and a resistance located between the input pad and the diode. The resistance and diode are selected such that an ESD event at an input pad triggers a discharge across the spark gap before it is transmitted on to the ASIC, while also allowing a high data rate for signals along the signal line.

Abstract: To protect memory cards, such as SD type cards, and similar devices from Electrostatic Discharge (ESD), the input pads of the device include points along their edges that are aligned with correspond points on a conductive frame structure mounted adjacent the input pad to form a spark gap. The input pads are connected to a memory controller or other ASIC over signal lines that include a diode located between the input pad and the ASIC and a resistance located between the input pad and the diode. The resistance and diode are selected such that an ESD event at an input pad triggers a discharge across the spark gap before it is transmitted on to the ASIC, while also allowing a high data rate for signals along the signal line.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are printed circuit boards with at least one signal trace situated over or under a reference plane. The reference plane includes a broadband common-mode filter that comprises looping and parallel structures etched into the reference plane. The looping structure includes an even number of side arms, and the parallel structure comprises an even number of interior arms, wherein each of the side arms extends toward the parallel structure, and each of the interior arms extends toward the looping structure. The at least one signal trace is substantially parallel to the side arms and to the interior arms, and is situated between a first half of the even number of side arms and a second half of the even number of side arms and between a first half of the even number of interior arms and a second half of the even number of interior arms.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are printed circuit boards with embedded solenoid filters through which signal traces pass to filter unwanted noise and electromagnetic interference. A printed circuit board comprises a least three layers, a solenoid embedded within the at least three layers, and at least one trace extending through the solenoid. The insertion loss characteristics of the solenoid filter can be tuned by modifying the number of turns in the solenoid(s) and the width of the solenoid(s). The solenoid filter may comprise multiple solenoids connected in series, with adjacent solenoids having opposite wind directions. Surface components may be included on the board to tune the insertion loss further.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are suspension assembly structures for data storage devices that include physical or virtual crossovers of the pairs of differential signal traces to improve immunity to crosstalk and other interference. In an embodiment, the suspension assembly structure comprises a first trace for carrying a first component of a current to a differential transducer on a slider, a second trace for carrying a second component of the current to the differential transducer on the slider, and third and fourth traces for providing a differential write current to a writer of the data storage device, wherein the first trace physically crosses over the second trace at a first distance from a tail of the suspension assembly structure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are printed circuit boards (PCBs) with patterned ground structure filters and data storage devices comprising such PCBs. Each PCB comprises a resonator having an L-shape or a zig-zag shape in a plane of the printed circuit board and at least one signal trace. The resonator has a first dimension and a second dimension in the plane of the printed circuit board. A portion of the at least one signal trace is situated over the resonator and is separated by a distance from the resonator by a dielectric material. In some embodiments, at least part of the portion of the at least one signal trace extends in a same direction as the first dimension (in the case of an L-shaped resonator) or tracks the zig-zag shape of the resonator (in the case of a zig-zag-shaped resonator).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are suspension assembly structures for data storage devices that include physical or virtual crossovers of the pairs of differential signal traces to improve immunity to crosstalk and other interference. In an embodiment, the suspension assembly structure comprises a first trace for carrying a first component of a current to a differential transducer on a slider, a second trace for carrying a second component of the current to the differential transducer on the slider, and third and fourth traces for providing a differential write current to a writer of the data storage device, wherein the first trace physically crosses over the second trace at a first distance from a tail of the suspension assembly structure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are printed circuit boards with embedded solenoid filters through which signal traces pass to filter unwanted noise and electromagnetic interference. A printed circuit board comprises a least three layers, a solenoid embedded within the at least three layers, and at least one trace extending through the solenoid. The insertion loss characteristics of the solenoid filter can be tuned by modifying the number of turns in the solenoid(s) and the width of the solenoid(s). The solenoid filter may comprise multiple solenoids connected in series, with adjacent solenoids having opposite wind directions. Surface components may be included on the board to tune the insertion loss further.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are printed circuit boards with at least one signal trace situated over or under a reference plane. The reference plane includes a broadband common-mode filter that comprises looping and parallel structures etched into the reference plane. The looping structure includes an even number of side arms, and the parallel structure comprises an even number of interior arms, wherein each of the side arms extends toward the parallel structure, and each of the interior arms extends toward the looping structure. The at least one signal trace is substantially parallel to the side arms and to the interior arms, and is situated between a first half of the even number of side arms and a second half of the even number of side arms and between a first half of the even number of interior arms and a second half of the even number of interior arms.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are printed circuit boards (PCBs) with patterned ground structure filters and data storage devices comprising such PCBs. Each PCB comprises a resonator having an L-shape or a zig-zag shape in a plane of the printed circuit board and at least one signal trace. The resonator has a first dimension and a second dimension in the plane of the printed circuit board. A portion of the at least one signal trace is situated over the resonator and is separated by a distance from the resonator by a dielectric material. In some embodiments, at least part of the portion of the at least one signal trace extends in a same direction as the first dimension (in the case of an L-shaped resonator) or tracks the zig-zag shape of the resonator (in the case of a zig-zag-shaped resonator).

Abstract: A flex cable with a shielding layer for use in a disk drive is described. The flex cable connects the actuator to the system electronics. The flex cable has a shielding layer that provides RF shielding for the embedded signal traces. In embodiments the shielding layer is connected to the baseplate or device enclosure ground at one or more selected points on the bracket end of the flex cable that are separated from the signal paths. Embodiments of the shielding layer include rows of apertures or windows that are aligned with selected signal traces such as the read and write signal traces and serve to maintain the desired impedance in the read and write signal traces. In one embodiment the shielding layer extends over a selected portion of the flex cable that includes the bracket end and the area under the first stiffener.

Abstract: A flex cable with a shielding layer for use in a disk drive is described. The flex cable connects the actuator to the system electronics. The flex cable has a shielding layer that provides RF shielding for the embedded signal traces. In embodiments the shielding layer is connected to the baseplate or device enclosure ground at one or more selected points on the bracket end of the flex cable that are separated from the signal paths. Embodiments of the shielding layer include rows of apertures or windows that are aligned with selected signal traces such as the read and write signal traces and serve to maintain the desired impedance in the read and write signal traces. In one embodiment the shielding layer extends over a selected portion of the flex cable that includes the bracket end and the area under the first stiffener.

Abstract: A flexible cable assembly (FCA) has a stiffener layer positioned in electrical contact with an electrical ground feature of the FCA, and a head stack assembly (HSA) may include a suspension tail electrically connected to the stiffener layer of the FCA, thus providing a robust ground path between the read/write head and the arm or E-block of the HSA. Additional efficient grounding techniques may include directly electrically connecting the suspension tail to the arm via a conductive adhesive, directly electrically connecting the FCA stiffener layer to the arm via a conductive screw, and/or directly electrically connecting the ground feature and the stiffener layer of the FCA to the arm using a ground post or screw.

Abstract: A magnetic tape head including a transducer disposed between a substrate, a recession between the transducer and the substrate, where the recession is formed at least by wear from a magnetic tape. The magnetic tape head also includes a heater disposed in the transducer. The heater thermally expands the transducer at a particular location such that the recession is reduced at the particular location.

Abstract: Approaches for implementing a conductive gasket comprising carbon nanotubes for deployment within a sensitive environment, such as an environment containing equipment whose operation may be affected by airborne particles or electromagnetic energy. For example, a hard-disk drive (HDD) comprises an enclosure that is formed by coupling a first component, such as a cover, to a second component, such as a base, using one or more gaskets. The one or more gaskets may be constructed using a material that includes carbon nanotubes. The composition of the material used to construct the gaskets may be selected to achieve a desired electromagnetic conductivity for the gaskets. In this way, the gaskets of the enclosure of the HDD do not render the enclosure vulnerable to external electromagnetic energy and are constructed in a manner that does not introduce any harmful airborne contaminants within the protective enclosure of the HDD.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive electrostatic discharge (ESD) event detector includes at least one magnetoresistive device. The at least one magnetoresistive device detects an ESD event in an ESD sensitive device based on magnetoresistive properties of the at least one magnetoresistive device. The magnetoresistive device has an ESD failure level that is lower than the ESD failure level of said ESD sensitive device.

Abstract: Approaches for implementing a conductive gasket comprising carbon nanotubes for deployment within a sensitive environment, such as an environment containing equipment whose operation may be affected by airborne particles or electromagnetic energy. For example, a hard-disk drive (HDD) comprises an enclosure that is formed by coupling a first component, such as a cover, to a second component, such as a base, using one or more gaskets. The one or more gaskets may be constructed using a material that includes carbon nanotubes. The composition of the material used to construct the gaskets may be selected to achieve a desired electromagnetic conductivity for the gaskets. In this way, the gaskets of the enclosure of the HDD do not render the enclosure vulnerable to external electromagnetic energy and are constructed in a manner that does not introduce any harmful airborne contaminants within the protective enclosure of the HDD.

Abstract: A magnetic tape head including a transducer disposed between a substrate, a recession between the transducer and the substrate, where the recession is formed at least by wear from a magnetic tape. The magnetic tape head also includes a heater disposed in the transducer. The heater thermally expands the transducer at a particular location such that the recession is reduced at the particular location.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive electrostatic discharge (ESD) event detector includes at least one magnetoresistive device. The at least one magnetoresistive device detects an ESD event in an ESD sensitive device based on magnetoresistive properties of the at least one magnetoresistive device. The at least one magnetoresistive device comprises an ESD failure level that is lower than the ESD failure level of said ESD sensitive device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for magnetic head preconditioning using a thermal flyheight control heater are discussed. The method of manufacturing the magnetic head comprises measuring a bit error performance of the magnetic head, heating the magnetic head with the thermal flyheight control heater, measuring another bit error rate performance, and determining a performance increase based on comparing the bit error rate performances. The heating of the magnetic head is performed while the magnetic head is unloaded from a disk. An element within the magnetic head is deformed plastically.