Abstract: In an example embodiment, a method to operate a PV module includes measuring module output power collectively generated by a plurality of power conversion circuits of the PV module. The module output power collectively generated by the plurality of power conversion circuits is characterized by a module power output curve having a peak. A current measured output power is compared to a preceding measured output power. Based on a preceding direction variable indicating a side of the peak on which the PV module was previously operating and the comparison of the current measured output power to the preceding measured output power: a current direction variable indicating a side of the peak on which the PV module is currently operating is determined, and a switching period of the power conversion circuits is adjusted.

Abstract: In one example, a photovoltaic module includes a plurality of discrete photovoltaic cells arranged in a plurality of cell rows, and a substantially electrically conductive and continuous area backsheet. The photovoltaic cells in each cell row are electrically connected in parallel to each other. The cell rows are electrically connected in series to each other and include a first row and a last row. The backsheet forms a current return path between the first and last rows. The photovoltaic cells are configured such that, in operation, current flows substantially uni-directionally through the plurality of photovoltaic cells between the first row and the last row.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a photovoltaic system includes multiple photovoltaic modules and a module-to-module bus. Each photovoltaic module defines a first end and a second end opposite the first end. Each photovoltaic module includes multiple photovoltaic cells and multiple converters. Energy generated by each photovoltaic cell has multiple paths through the photovoltaic cells to the second end. The converters are electrically coupled to the photovoltaic cells at the second end such that energy generated by each photovoltaic cell is receivable at any of the converters. The module-to-module bus is electrically coupled to each of the photovoltaic modules. The module-to-module bus has an output. Energy generated by each photovoltaic module is receivable at the output independent of any other of the photovoltaic modules.

Abstract: In one example, a photovoltaic module includes a plurality of discrete photovoltaic cells arranged in a plurality of cell rows, and a substantially electrically conductive and continuous area backsheet. The photovoltaic cells in each cell row are electrically connected in parallel to each other. The cell rows are electrically connected in series to each other and include a first row and a last row. The backsheet forms a current return path between the first and last rows. The photovoltaic cells are configured such that, in operation, current flows substantially uni-directionally through the plurality of photovoltaic cells between the first row and the last row.

Abstract: In one example, a photovoltaic module includes a plurality of discrete photovoltaic cells arranged in a plurality of cell rows, and a substantially electrically conductive and continuous area backsheet. The photovoltaic cells in each cell row are electrically connected in parallel to each other. The cell rows are electrically connected in series to each other and include a first row and a last row. The backsheet forms a current return path between the first and last rows. The photovoltaic cells are configured such that, in operation, current flows substantially uni-directionally through the plurality of photovoltaic cells between the first row and the last row.

Abstract: In one example, a photovoltaic module includes a plurality of discrete photovoltaic cells arranged in a plurality of cell rows, and a substantially electrically conductive and continuous area backsheet. The photovoltaic cells in each cell row are electrically connected in parallel to each other. The cell rows are electrically connected in series to each other and include a first row and a last row. The backsheet forms a current return path between the first and last rows. The photovoltaic cells are configured such that, in operation, current flows substantially uni-directionally through the plurality of photovoltaic cells between the first row and the last row.

Abstract: A method and disc drive in which tracks and data rates are designated is provided. Under the invention, the write width of a transducer head is determined. A tracks per inch value is adjusted based on the write width, and a data transfer rate is adjusted based on the adjusted tracks per inch value. In particular, the data transfer rate is adjusted such that the adjusted tracks per inch value and the adjusted data transfer rate provide a capacity for the head that is equal to a nominal capacity.

Abstract: A method and disc drive in which tracks and data rates are designated is provided. Under the invention, the write width of a transducer head is determined. A tracks per inch value is adjusted based on the write width, and a data transfer rate is adjusted based on the adjusted tracks per inch value. In particular, the data transfer rate is adjusted such that the adjusted tracks per inch value and the adjusted data transfer rate provide a capacity for the head that is equal to a nominal capacity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and storage device for reducing the occurrence of data miscompare errors. The method includes identifying a destination track as either an even track or an odd track and selecting a pseudo-random set of data based on this identification. The pseudo-random set of data is combined with write data to produce randomized data that is used as the basis for a write signal to be written to the destination track.

Abstract: A peak shift detection circuit receives digitized read data and provides a temporal measurement output representative of peak shift of data pulses read from a magnetic storage medium. A random data pattern is written upon the magnetic storage medium. The peak shift detection circuit uses a precision delay circuit to delay a digitized read data signal. The delay signal is applied to a linear ramp circuit. The linear ramp circuit triggers the charging of a capacitor through a constant current source. This generates a linear ramp which is applied to a flash analog-to-digital converter. The conversion by the flash analog-to-digital is triggered by a generated data window signal. The digitized output of the flash analog-to-digital converter is applied to a time conversion circuit. The output of this circuit is a temporal measurement of the spacing between a data pulse and the following edge of a data window.

Abstract: An offset address field in a magnetic disc storage system which uses a dual gap head and a rotary actuator. The dual gap head has two gaps, one for reading information and the other for writing information. Prior to a write operation, an address field which precedes a data field is read. The rotary actuator introduces a skew angle between the head and a data track. The skew angle causes the two gaps to travel along different radii of the storage disc. A read address field is aligned with the data field and a write address field is offset from the data field. Prior to writing data on the disc surface, the head is offset so that the write address field is read. Since the write address field is offset, a write operation can proceed without any further offset to the magnetic head.

Abstract: A flaw identification circuit receives digitized read data and provides an error output representative of defects in a magnetic storage medium. A uniform data pattern is written on the magnetic storage medium. The flaw identification circuitry uses a precision delay circuit and a linear ramp circuit. The linear ramp circuit generates a linear ramp using the charging of a capacitor with a constant current source. This provides an accurate time base reference. The output of the linear ramp circuit is applied to a flash analog-to-digital converter. The flash analog-to-digital converter is directly triggered by the digitized read data signal. The output of the flash analog-to-digital converter is applied to a maximum comparator and a minimum comparator. If the output value of the analog-to-digital converter falls outside of the maximum and minimum value range, an error is signalled. The error is representative of shifts in the location of edges of data pulses in the digitized read data signal.

Abstract: The integrity of a disk drive from a flyability standpoint is tested by applying a write signal of known frequency to the read/write transducer and monitoring the playback signal from the transducer. The playback signal is processed to separate a modulation component which represents air bearing disturbance.