Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed to systems and methods for ordering read sector data that has been returned from a hard disk controller out of order. For example, in typical storage systems, the firmware of the storage system and/or the host interface typically process read sectors in logical block address order. However, some of the data that is received may be received out of order. As such, the disk block hardware within the hard disk controller may accept these out of order sectors from the read channel and subsequently provide information that describes the available sectors that are in order to the firmware and/or the host interface.

Abstract: An extent record for an extent based data buffer that includes a host pointer that links the extent record to a next host extent record of a host extent record set, and a storage device pointer that links the extent record to a next storage device extent record of a storage device extent record set. Also, a system for transferring data between a host and a storage device that includes a data buffer coupled to the host and the storage device, where memory in the data buffer is divided into one or more extents, an extent table associated with the data buffer, where the extent table includes at least one extent record, an LBA chain table coupled to the host and the extent table, and a track section table coupled to the storage device and the extent table.

Abstract: An extent record for an extent based data buffer that includes a host pointer that links the extent record to a next host extent record of a host extent record set, and a storage device pointer that links the extent record to a next storage device extent record of a storage device extent record set. Also, a system for transferring data between a host and a storage device that includes a data buffer coupled to the host and the storage device, where memory in the data buffer is divided into one or more extents, an extent table associated with the data buffer, where the extent table includes at least one extent record, an LBA chain table coupled to the host and the extent table, and a track section table coupled to the storage device and the extent table.

Abstract: A system for delaying the release of a memory space holding a data block in a disk drive controller until an acknowledge signal is received. The present invention is implemented in a disk drive controller having a memory buffer. The disk drive controller receives a request for data from a host device. The disk drive controller then reads the data block from the disk and stores the data block in the memory buffer. The data block is then transmitted to the host device. The host device then either transmits an acknowledge signal or a busy signal. The disk drive controller does not release the data block unless an acknowledge signal has been received.