Abstract: A method and Phase Frequency Detector (PFD) circuit for implementing low phase locked loop (PLL) phase noise and low phase error, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. The PFD circuit includes a PFD latch receiving clock and reset signals, and PFD output driver circuit providing PFD output signals. The PFD latch is set by the clock and reset by the reset signal. An AND gate coupled to the PFD latch and the PFD output driver circuit includes differential inputs and outputs and applies the reset signal to the PFD latch. The PFD latch, AND gate and PFD output driver circuit are formed by current mode logic using bipolar transistors. An active loop filter generates a tuning voltage output.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reading information stored on a magnetic medium are described. Data symbols are generated from a signal encoded at a baud rate with data including an acquisition preamble defining an acquisition frequency and an acquisition phase. The system includes an inventive dual loop synchronizer that is optimized to improve the operating efficiency and reduce the overall latency of the read channel. In one aspect, the dual loop synchronizer includes a frequency synchronization loop, a signal sampler, an interpolator, and a phase synchronization loop. The frequency synchronization loop is configured to generate a sampling clock synchronized approximately to the acquisition frequency and the acquisition phase of the encoded data signal. The signal sampler is coupled to the frequency synchronization loop and is configured to sample the encoded data signal in response to the sampling clock to produce a plurality of data samples.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for running an analog portion (162) of a read/write channel (108) from a highly regulated power supply (260). The apparatus includes an analog portion (162), a clock synthesizer (154), and a highly regulated power supply (260) connected to the analog portion (162) and the clock synthesizer (154). The analog portion (162) and the clock synthesizer (154) both comprise high voltage transistors which operate in a first voltage range and low voltage transistors which operate in a second voltage range, wherein the first voltage range is within the second voltage range. The highly regulated power supply (260) supplies power that is within the first voltage range to the analog portion (162) and the clock synthesizer (154). The method includes generating power that is within the first voltage range using the highly regulated power supply (260), and supplying the power to the analog portion (162) and the clock synthesizer (154).

Abstract: Systems and methods for accumulating data relating to the performance of one or more components of a read channel are described. In one aspect, a programmable channel quality monitor is operable to accumulate performance data corresponding to a recorded test data sequence spanning two or more data sectors of the magnetic medium. The channel quality monitor preferably is incorporated in a disk drive system. A method of accumulating performance data from a read channel also is described. In accordance with this inventive method, an original test data pattern is written to multiple data sectors of the magnetic medium. The original test pattern is read from the multiple data sectors of the magnetic medium to produce a readback test pattern. In this method, performance data relating to a comparison of the original test pattern and the readback test pattern is accumulated.

Abstract: A magneto-resistive asymmetry compensation system includes a linearizer (61) interposed in a data path and a control loop (63). The control loop uses signal estimates from an interpolated timing response unit (25) to derive a magneto-resistive asymmetry error. The error term is used to obtain a control scaling input to the linearizer. The linearizer functions to multiply the scaling multiple to the square of the input signal and then add it back to the input signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for running an analog portion (162) of a read/write channel (108) from a highly regulated power supply (260). The apparatus includes an analog portion (162), a clock synthesizer (154), and a highly regulated power supply (260) connected to the analog portion (162) and the clock synthesizer (154). The analog portion (162) and the clock synthesizer (154) both comprise high voltage transistors which operate in a first voltage range and low voltage transistors which operate in a second voltage range, wherein the first voltage range is within the second voltage range. The highly regulated power supply (260) supplies power that is within the first voltage range to the analog portion (162) and the clock synthesizer (154). The method includes generating power that is within the first voltage range using the highly regulated power supply (260), and supplying the power to the analog portion (162) and the clock synthesizer (154).

Abstract: A first trellis code (12A, 20A) according to the present invention is a rate 24/26 trellis code with three (3) bytes error propagation due to EPRML minimum instance channel errors, a minimum of six (6) transitions per code word and a maximum of twelve (12) consecutive zeroes. A second trellis code (12B, 20B) according to the present invention is a rate 48/51 trellis code, derived from the first trellis code. The second trellis code has four (4) bytes error propagation due to EPRML minimum distance channel errors, a minimum of twelve (12) transitions per code word and a maximum of twelve (12) consecutive zeroes. A third trellis code (12C, 20C) according to the present invention is a rate 48/51 trellis code with four (4) bytes error propagation due to EPRML minimum distance channel errors, a minimum of fourteen (14) transitions per code word and a maximum of eleven (11) consecutive zeroes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reading information stored on a magnetic medium are described. Data symbols are generated from a signal encoded at a baud rate with data including an acquisition preamble defining an acquisition frequency and an acquisition phase. The system includes an inventive dual loop synchronizer that is optimized to improve the operating efficiency and reduce the overall latency of the read channel. In one aspect, the dual loop synchronizer includes a frequency synchronization loop, a signal sampler, an interpolator, and a phase synchronization loop. The frequency synchronization loop is configured to generate a sampling clock synchronized approximately to the acquisition frequency and the acquisition phase of the encoded data signal. The signal sampler is coupled to the frequency synchronization loop and is configured to sample the encoded data signal in response to the sampling clock to produce a plurality of data samples.

Abstract: Analog-to-digital (ADC) output bits are partitioned in a way that simplifies the gain error calculations. Simplification of the gain error calculations allows a reduction in the complexity of the circuits needed to implement automatic gain control (AGC).

Abstract: The output from a peak detector of a conventional radio receiver includes a recovered audio signal and a DC level. The disclosed noise limiter processes the detector output through both low pass and high pass filters. The low pass filter produces a DC signal representative of both the detector DC level and the recovered audio signal level. The high pass filter passes only the recovered audio signal. A semiconductor diode connects between the filter outputs, and the output of the noise limiter. For peak detector levels at, or below the 100% modulation level the diode is forward biased and passes the audio signal to the noise limiter output for further receiver processing. Peak detector levels exceeding 100% modulation, such as noise, reverse bias the diode whereby the audio signal is blocked from subsequent receiver stages.