Abstract: An electronic component tester characterizes electronic components such as magnetic head/media components measure performance parameters such as signal-to-noise ratio and overwrite evaluation. The electronic component tester has a tester process controller and a spectrum analyzer. The tester process controller generates calibration and control signals for the electronic component tester. The spectrum analyzer is in communication with electronic components such as magnetic head or media components to receive a response characterization signal resulting from a stimulus signal applied to the electronic components. The spectrum analyzer then determines a frequency spectrum of the response characterization signal. The spectrum analyzer is also in communication with the tester process controller for transferring the frequency spectrum to the tester process controller.

Abstract: A method for operating a head testing apparatus or, more generally, a host hard disk drive using a mounted hard disk that has had its servo track information pre-written in an external servo-writing apparatus rather than in the head testing or host apparatus itself. The method eliminates repeatable errors and repeatable runout by effectively replacing the pre-written servo tracks, which are eccentric, with new track profiles that are tracked like circular tracks. The problem of repeatable errors is caused by repeatable runout superimposed upon written-in position errors when a disk written in one machine is transferred to another. This problem is eliminated by forming IRON (Iterative Repeatable Runout Nulling) profile tracks from the initially pre-written servo tracks, where the IRON profile tracks are effectively tracked as concentric circular tracks and generate no PES.

Abstract: A method for operating a head testing apparatus (spin stand) using a mounted hard disk that has had its servo track information pre-written in an external servo-writing apparatus rather than in the testing apparatus itself. This insures more accurate servo-track writing and renders the testing operation more efficient. The problem of repeatable runout (RRO) associated with the transfer of a disk written in one machine to another is eliminated by forming a corrected position error signal (PES) by subtracting the average offset of one or more servo sector locations previously calculated using limited bandwidth operation of the servomechanism, from the position error signal generated during full bandwidth servo operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method for operating a head testing apparatus or, more generally, a host hard disk drive using a mounted hard disk that has had its servo track information pre-written in an external servo-writing apparatus rather than in the head testing or host apparatus itself. The method eliminates repeatable errors and repeatable runout by effectively replacing the pre-written servo tracks, which are eccentric, with new track profiles that are tracked like circular tracks. The problem of repeatable errors is caused by repeatable runout superimposed upon written-in position errors when a disk written in one machine is transferred to another. This problem is eliminated by forming IRON (Iterative Repeatable Runout Nulling) profile tracks from the initially pre-written servo tracks, where the IRON profile tracks are effectively tracked as concentric circular tracks and generate no PES.

Abstract: An electronic component tester characterizes electronic components such as magnetic head/media components measure performance parameters such as signal-to-noise ratio and overwrite evaluation. The electronic component tester has a tester process controller and a spectrum analyzer. The tester process controller generates calibration and control signals for the electronic component tester. The spectrum analyzer is in communication with electronic components such as magnetic head or media components to receive a response characterization signal resulting from a stimulus signal applied to the electronic components. The spectrum analyzer then determines a frequency spectrum of the response characterization signal. The spectrum analyzer is also in communication with the tester process controller for transferring the frequency spectrum to the tester process controller.

Abstract: A method for operating a head testing apparatus (spin stand) using a mounted hard disk that has had its servo track information pre-written in an external servo-writing apparatus rather than in the testing apparatus itself. This insures more accurate servo-track writing and renders the testing operation more efficient. The problem of repeatable runout (RRO) associated with the transfer of a disk written in one machine to another is eliminated by forming a corrected position error signal (PES) by subtracting the average offset of one or more servo sector locations previously calculated using limited bandwidth operation of the servomechanism, from the position error signal generated during full bandwidth servo operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A body temperature thermometer has a probe head assembly (8) which includes a first sensor (10), such as a thermopile, for generating a first output signal representative of an amount of infrared radiation impinging thereon The probe head assembly further includes a waveguide (16) and a surrounding hollow probe (14) for receiving infrared radiation emitted by a biological surface tissue, such as the external ear canal and tympanic membrane of a patient, and directing the radiation to the first sensor. A second sensor (12) is mounted in the probe head assembly for generating a second output signal representative of a temperature of the first sensor. A third sensor (26) is thermally coupled to the waveguide for providing a third output signal representative to the temperature thereof.