Abstract: An apparatus for placing solder bumps on a mold plate includes: a solder fill head configured for dispensing molten solder onto the mold plate, the solder fill head also configured for relative movement over the mold plate; and a control mechanism configured for controlling positions of the solder fill head relative to the mold plate.

Abstract: An electronic device includes: at least one electronic chip comprising a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE); and a carrier including a top side connected to the bottom side of the chip by solder bumps. The carrier further includes a second CTE that approximately matches the first CTE, and a plurality of through vias from the bottom side of the carrier to the top side of the carrier layer. Each through via comprising a collar exposed at the top surface of the carrier, a pad exposed at the bottom surface of the carrier, and a post disposed between the collar and the pad. The post extends thorough a volume of space.

Abstract: An air bearing gap control arrangement for injection molded solder filler heads. Also provided is a method of providing for a gap control for injection molded solder filler heads utilizing an air bearing arrangement. Provided is a C-ring seal, at the lower or dispensing region of the solder filler head structure, wherein the C-shape is open at the leading edge thereof. Hereby, a prevalent leading edge gap is tightly controlled by means of pressurized air in order to form an air bearing. Downstream of this leading edge is the molten solder, which is contained within a very narrow gap height between the solder filler head and the mold. As the solder fills the pits or recesses which are formed in the mold surface, air will rush out or be displaced from the pits towards the air bearing and is then expelled, while the deposited solder remains in place.

Abstract: A system and method of attaching a heat sink to an integrated circuit chip includes providing a compliant material for constraining the heat sink's mechanical motion while simultaneously allowing for thermal expansion of the heat sink.

Abstract: An electronic device includes: at least one electronic chip comprising a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE); and a carrier including a top surface connected to the bottom surface of the chip by solder bumps. The carrier further includes a second CTE that approximately matches the first CTE, and a plurality of through vias from the bottom surface of the carrier to the top surface of the carrier layer. Each through via includes a collar exposed at the top surface of the carrier, a pad exposed at the bottom surface of the carrier, and a post disposed between the collar and the pad. The post extends thorough a volume of space.

Abstract: Data pertaining to environmental information is acquired using sensors on a multiplicity of networked pervasive devices, and analyzed to determine occurrence of at least one environmental event. Such data can be obtained, for example, from an inventive wireless communications device including an antenna, transmit circuitry coupled to the antenna for transmission of radio frequency radiation therefrom, at least one environmental sensor configured to obtain environmental data, and a communications module coupled to the at least one environmental sensor and configured to cause transmission of a representation of the data via the antenna and the transmit circuitry.

Abstract: An electronic device includes: at least one electronic chip comprising a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE); and a carrier including a top side connected to the bottom side of the chip by solder bumps. The carrier further includes a second CTE that approximately matches the first CTE, and a plurality of through vias from the bottom side of the carrier to the top side of the carrier layer. Each through via comprising a collar exposed at the top surface of the carrier, a pad exposed at the bottom surface of the carrier, and a post disposed between the collar and the pad. The post extends thorough a volume of space.

Abstract: Self-servo-writing of multi-slot timing patterns is described. Individual timing marks are replaced with groups of timing mark slots. At each timing mark location, a time measurement is made by detecting a timing mark in one of the slots. Also, extensions to the existing timing marks are written in other slots. The combination of timing measurements at every timing mark and extensions to those timing marks written at every opportunity improves the overall precision of the timing propagation. The improved accuracy of timing mark placement produces a commensurate improvement in the placement of the concomitantly written servo-data. In addition, the alignment accuracy of the written pattern is less sensitive to variations in rotation speed and variations in the shape of written transitions. Moreover, only a single disk revolution is required at each servo radius to write servo data and propagate the timing marks to maintain timing alignment.

Abstract: Storage media of a storage system are grouped into one or more groups based upon parameters associated with the storage media. Various parameters may be taken into consideration depending upon the criteria selected for the grouping. At least one grouping criterion is selected, and based on the grouping criterion, one or more parameters are measured. Then, using the measured data, a plurality of storage media are placed into one or more groups. The groups may then be used to form Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) arrays employed in the storage system.

Abstract: Improvements in placement of timing patterns in self-servowriting include correcting for systematic errors due to geometric effects. A correction is made for varying systematic errors, such as when the recording head has spatially separate read and write elements. Further, servopattern rotation due to residual or unmeasured systematic errors is reduced by using a once per revolution clock index derived from the motor drive current waveform or any other sensor. In one aspect of correcting for systematic errors in the writing of timing patterns on a storage medium of a storage device, a time interval between a trigger pattern written at a first radial position of the storage medium and a rotational index is measured. The rotational index is related to the rotational orientation of the storage medium with respect to a fixed frame of the storage device.

Abstract: A method for writing a servopattern comprises writing a first burst at a first radial position, writing a second burst at a second radial position, wherein an edge of the first burst and an edge of the second burst have a substantially similar common radial position, and defining a portion of the edge of the first burst on a different revolution than defining a portion of the edge of the second burst.

Abstract: A system and method for self-servo-writing of multi-slot timing patterns is described. Individual timing marks are replaced with groups of timing mark slots. At each timing mark location, a time measurement is made by detecting a timing mark in one of the slots. Also, extensions to the existing timing marks are written in other slots. The combination of timing measurements at every timing mark and extensions to those timing marks written at every opportunity improves the overall precision of the timing propagation. The improved accuracy of timing mark placement produces a commensurate improvement in the placement of the concomitantly written servo-data. In addition, the alignment accuracy of the written pattern is less sensitive to variations in rotation speed and variations in the shape of written transitions. Moreover, only a single disk revolution is required at each servo radius to write servo data and propagate the timing marks.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a technique to correct timing mark position error in self-servo write (SSW). In one embodiment, a method of correcting a timing mark position error of a SSW pattern of a disk drive comprises writing a plurality of timing mark bursts over a plurality of steps on a disk, the plurality of timing mark bursts including at least one misaligned burst having an intentional misalignment in a first step with respect to a corresponding burst in a neighboring second step; reading the misaligned burst and the corresponding burst at a seam between the first step and the second step to obtain a measured burst amplitude; and using the measure burst amplitude to obtain a timing mark position error, which may involve comparing the measured burst amplitude and an expected burst amplitude computed based on the intentional misalignment between the misaligned burst and the corresponding burst to obtain a timing mark position error.

Abstract: An electronic event recorder for attachment to a vehicle is provided which can broadcast encrypted signature and data, thereby leaving behind an electronic version of a “fingerprint” in the event of an accident or traffic violation. The fingerprint, captured by an external data acquisition system or another vehicle so equipped, provides a history of events related to the vehicle. The event recorder is preferably integrated on a smart card and housed in a tamper proof casing. In a first mode of operation, monitoring stations along the roadways periodically send an interrogation signal, such as when radar detects that the vehicle is speeding. Upon receiving the interrogation signal the smart card transmits the vehicle's signature information to the monitoring station where it is time and date stamped along with the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A disk drive which incorporates separate actuators for each recording head so as to only place required recording heads over the recording media of multiple surface hard disk drives. The reduction in recording heads that are placed over the recording media reduces drag on the rotating disk holding the recording media and thereby reduces the power consumption. Reducing the number of recording heads over the recording media also reduces damage to the recording media surfaces in the event of a physical shock to the drive since inactive transducer heads are not in a position to damage the recording media.

Abstract: A method for writing a servopattern comprises writing a first burst at a first radial position, writing a second burst at a second radial position, wherein an edge of the first burst and an edge of the second burst have a substantially similar common radial position, and defining a portion of the edge of the first burst on a different revolution than defining a portion of the edge of the second burst.

Abstract: An electronic event recorder for attachment to a vehicle is provided which can broadcast encrypted signature and data, thereby leaving behind an electronic version of a “fingerprint” in the event of an accident or traffic violation. The fingerprint, captured by an external data acquisition system or another vehicle so equipped, provides a history of events related to the vehicle. The event recorder is preferably integrated on a smart card and housed in a tamper proof casing. In a first mode of operation, monitoring stations along the roadways periodically send an interrogation signal, such as when radar detects that the vehicle is speeding. Upon receiving the interrogation signal the smart card transmits the vehicle's signature information to the monitoring station where it is time and date stamped along with the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electronic event recorder for attachment to a vehicle is provided which can broadcast encrypted signature and data, thereby leaving behind an electronic version of a “fingerprint” in the event of an accident or traffic violation. The fingerprint, captured by an external data acquisition system or another vehicle so equipped, provides a history of events related to the vehicle. The event recorder is preferably integrated on a smart card and housed in a tamper proof casing. In a first mode of operation, monitoring stations along the roadways periodically send an interrogation signal, such as when radar detects that the vehicle is speeding. Upon receiving the interrogation signal the smart card transmits the vehicle's signature information to the monitoring station where it is time and date stamped along with the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for writing timing marks on a rotatable storage medium, such as on a disk in a disk drive, includes the steps of: 1) during a rotation of the disk, detecting the passage of at least a portion of a first timing mark located at a first radius of the disk, and 2) writing a second timing mark at a second radius of the disk, the location of the second timing mark being based at least in part on a stored calculation of a delay from the time of passage of the first timing mark during a rotation of the rotatable storage medium. The location of the second timing mark is calculated based on alternative time intervals between detected timing marks and on various functions of the time intervals.

Abstract: A system and method for improved self-servo-writing of multi-slot timing patterns is described. Individual timing marks are replaced with groups of timing mark slots. At each timing mark location, a time measurement is made by detecting a timing mark in one of the slots. Also, extensions to the existing timing marks are written in other slots. The combination of timing measurements at every timing mark and extensions to those timing marks written at every opportunity improves the overall precision of the timing propagation. The improved accuracy of timing mark placement produces a commensurate improvement in the placement of the concomitantly written servo-data. In addition, the alignment accuracy of the written pattern is less sensitive to variations in rotation speed and variations in the shape of written transitions. Moreover, only a single disk revolution is required at each servo radius to write servo data and propagate the timing marks to maintain timing alignment.