Abstract: A universal test connector is disclosed for connecting a data storage device including a plug connector, a USB interface connector, and a plurality of serial I/O (SIO) contacts to a data storage device tester. The universal test connector includes a receptacle connector configured to connect to the plug connector, a cross-member configured to conform around the USB interface connector, and a plurality of SIO contacts configured to connect to the plurality of SIO contacts on the data storage device.

Abstract: A disk drive tester is disclosed operable to test a plurality of disk drives, each disk drive comprising a head actuated over a disk. The disk drive tester comprises a plurality of test slots, where each test slot is operable to receive one of the disk drives. The disk drive tester further comprises an interface for receiving vibration data from the disk drives, wherein the vibration data at least partially represents a vibration applied to each disk drive by the respective test slot. The disk drive tester further comprises control circuitry operable to detect when one of the test slots is defective in response to the vibration data.

Abstract: A multiple hard drive connection system includes a first backplane, a second backplane, and a card assembly. The first backplane includes a pass-through and a first socket, and couples to a control system such that the first socket is in electrical communication with the control system. The second backplane is adjacent to and spaced apart from the first backplane, includes a second socket aligned with the pass-through, and couples to the control system such that the second socket is in electrical communication with the control system. The card assembly includes a first edge card connected to the first socket and a second edge card extending through the pass-through and connected to the second socket. The card assembly couples to a hard drive such that the hard drive is in electrical communication with the control system via the first backplane, the second backplane, and the card assembly.

Abstract: A multiple hard drive connection system includes a first backplane, a second backplane, and a card assembly. The first backplane includes a pass-through and a first socket, and couples to a control system such that the first socket is in electrical communication with the control system. The second backplane is adjacent to and spaced apart from the first backplane, includes a second socket aligned with the pass-through, and couples to the control system such that the second socket is in electrical communication with the control system. The card assembly includes a first edge card connected to the first socket and a second edge card extending through the pass-through and connected to the second socket. The card assembly couples to a hard drive such that the hard drive is in electrical communication with the control system via the first backplane, the second backplane, and the card assembly.

Abstract: An asynchronous system for testing disk drives includes a test platform that includes a plurality of slots for receiving and for providing communication with drives. The slots are segregated into a plurality of groups configured to satisfy predetermined environmental, communication bandwidth and test schedule requirements of the drives to be loaded therein. An automated loader/unloader is configured to selectively load drives into and out of the platform and to move drives between the plurality of groups. A module controller is assigned to each group of slots, each module controller being coupled to the slots of its assigned group and configured to administer at least one test to drives loaded in its assigned group while insuring that the predetermined environmental, communication bandwidth and test schedule requirements of its assigned group remain satisfied.