Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting spindle motor degradation. A method includes issuing an alert if a difference between feed forward compensation signals of repeatable runout determined at a first time and feed forward compensation signals of repeatable runout determined at a second time satisfies a first threshold condition. A method may further include issuing an alert if a delta difference between a first difference and a second difference satisfies a second threshold condition. The first difference represents a difference between the feed forward compensation signals of repeatable runout at the first time and the feed forward compensation signals of repeatable runout at the second time. The second difference represents a difference between the feed forward compensation signals of repeatable runout at the first time and feed forward compensation signals of repeatable runout at a third time.

Abstract: A dual serial port data acquisition interface assembly including a printed circuit board for supporting additional components of the dual serial port assembly, a personal computer peripheral component interconnect connector secured to the printed circuit board for passing data between the printed circuit board and a personal computer. A first serial port connector mounted on the printed circuit transferring communication data and synchronization data between the personal computer and the data storage device through a programmed universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter microchip, and a second serial port connector mounted on the printed circuit board passing a performance data of the servo control circuit from the data storage device through a serial-to-parallel converter to the personal computer.

Abstract: The temperature of an actuator voice coil in a disc drive is regulated so as to prevent outgassing. In a preferred embodiment, coil temperature is calculated at the beginning of each long seek. If the temperature is determined to be at or below a predetermined “safe” level, temperature rise is not limited and power may be applied to the coil without additional limitations. If, however, coil temperature is determined to be above the “safe” level, proportional control is used to scale back power generation so as to prevent the coil temperature from exceeding the coil's specified temperature limit.

Abstract: A dual serial port data acquisition interface assembly including a printed circuit board for supporting additional components of the dual serial port assembly, a personal computer peripheral component interconnect connector secured to the printed circuit board for passing data between the printed circuit board and a personal computer. A first serial port connector mounted on the printed circuit transferring communication data and synchronization data between the personal computer and the data storage device through a programmed universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter microchip, and a second serial port connector mounted on the printed circuit board passing a performance data of the servo control circuit from the data storage device through a serial-to-parallel converter to the personal computer.

Abstract: The temperature of an actuator voice coil in a disc drive is regulated so as to prevent outgassing. In a preferred embodiment, coil temperature is calculated at the beginning of each long seek. If the temperature is determined to be at or below a predetermined “safe” level, temperature rise is not limited and power may be applied to the coil without additional limitations. If, however, coil temperature is determined to be above the “safe” level, proportional control is used to scale back power generation so as to prevent the coil temperature from exceeding the coil's specified temperature limit.