Abstract: An integrated filter assembly is provided. The filter assembly includes a fastener that holds two substantially opposing elements of a housing together. Also included is a multi-purpose filter that has at least a particle filter component and a chemical filter component. The multi-purpose filter is attached to the fastener. The multi-purpose filter is within the housing when the fastener holds the two substantially opposing elements of the housing together.

Abstract: A data storage system includes a housing, one or more data storage media disposed within the housing, and an filter comprising activated carbon fibers disposed within the housing. The activated carbon fiber filter includes activated carbon fibers configured to adsorb both chemical contaminants and particulate contaminants within the housing. The activated carbon fiber filter may include a wide variety of active molecular functional groups, pores with sizes from macroscopic to nanoscopic scales, and a very high surface area per unit mass, in various embodiments. The activated carbon fiber filter may be mounted in a region of the data storage system having enhanced fluid pressure when the data storage system is in normal operation.

Abstract: An integrated filter assembly is provided. The filter assembly includes a fastener that holds two substantially opposing elements of a housing together. Also included is a multi-purpose filter that has at least a particle filter component and a chemical filter component. The multi-purpose filter is attached to the fastener. The multi-purpose filter is within the housing when the fastener holds the two substantially opposing elements of the housing together.

Abstract: A disc drive utilizes ramp load unload technology. A ramp component of the disc drive includes a recess that reduces the contact surface area of the ramp component that supports an actuator assembly to unload a slider of the disc drive. The actuator assembly may include a lift tab that interacts with the ramp component to hold the slider off a media disc when the slider is unloaded.

Abstract: A data storage system includes a housing, one or more data storage media disposed within the housing, and an filter comprising activated carbon fibers disposed within the housing. The activated carbon fiber filter includes activated carbon fibers configured to adsorb both chemical contaminants and particulate contaminants within the housing. The activated carbon fiber filter may include a wide variety of active molecular functional groups, pores with sizes from macroscopic to nanoscopic scales, and a very high surface area per unit mass, in various embodiments. The activated carbon fiber filter may be mounted in a region of the data storage system having enhanced fluid pressure when the data storage system is in normal operation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) value from a readback signal, such as in a data storage device. A readback signal is obtained by a receiver (such as a data transducing head) coupled to a data recovery channel having a variable gain amplifier (VGA) and a threshold detector (TD). The data channel applies a selectable VGA gain value to the readback signal while errors are accumulated using a selectable error detection threshold from the TD. The SNR value is determined at least from a magnitude of the error detection threshold, and preferably from first and second VGA gain values using a linear regression model. The determined SNR value is highly correlated to classical SNR values obtained using external equipment such as an analyzer or oscilloscope, and is advantageously used in automated fashion during high volume manufacturing certification testing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus produce a read signal using a read head. A variable gain value is set that is used by a variable gain amplifier to amplify the read signal. The variable gain value is used to determine whether the head is functioning properly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus produce a read signal using a read head. A variable gain value is set that is used by a variable gain amplifier to amplify the read signal. The variable gain value is used to determine whether the head is functioning properly.