Abstract: Systems and methods for improving seek times in a read channel performing a read operation on a disk drive are disclosed. The method includes extrapolating, based on initial filter settings corresponding to a first user-data region or a first servo-data region and tracked settings varying over time, a proportionality constant for the programmable analog filter, in response to determining a new target frequency for the programmable analog filter corresponding to a second user-data region or a second servo-data region, computing new filter settings for the programmable analog filter based on the extrapolated proportionality constant, and transmitting, to the programmable analog filter, the computed new filter settings corresponding to the new target frequency of the second user-data region or the second servo-data region.

Abstract: A method includes receiving data for a desired output frequency of an output clock of a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit. The method includes determining a preset value for a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) of the PLL circuit, determining first gain coefficients and second gain coefficients for a filter of the PLL circuit, and determining ratio values for a divider circuit of the PLL circuit based on the data. The method includes providing the preset value to the DCO, the first gain coefficients to the filter, and the ratio values to the divider circuit while the PLL circuit operates in an open-loop configuration. The method includes subsequently operating the PLL circuit in a closed-loop configuration by connecting the filter to the DCO, and providing the second gain coefficients to the filter in response to detecting a phase lock of the PLL circuit operating in the closed-loop configuration.

Abstract: A phase lock loop circuit includes a phase frequency detector, a voltage controlled oscillator, a phase interpolator, a clock signal selector, a selection module, a multiplexer, and a divider. The phase frequency detector compares phases of a reference clock and frequency divided output signals and generates an error signal. The voltage controlled oscillator, based on the error signal, generates a phase lock loop output signal and output clock signals. The phase interpolator phase interpolates the output clock signals to generate an interpolator output signal. The clock signal selector selects one of the output clock signals. The selection module generates a selection signal based on states of the interpolator output and selected output clock signals. The multiplexer, based on the selection signal, selects the interpolator output signal or the selected output clock signal. The divider frequency divides an output of the multiplexer to provide the frequency divided output signal.

Abstract: A digital locking loop circuit (DLLC), such as a digital phase-locked loop or digital delay-locked loop, includes a digitally-controlled frequency generator, a digital loop filter configured to output a digital control signal for the frequency generator, and a multi-stage time-to-digital converter to detect phase error between an input reference clock signal and an output signal fed back from the frequency generator, to adjust the digitally-controlled frequency generator to decrease the phase error. Each phase-error detection stage detects a phase error component at a respective resolution, and combinatorial logic combines the components into a phase error signal. The plurality of stages may operate in parallel to provide different portions of the phase error signal. The DLLC may include a fractional phase interpolator to adjust the target frequency by a fractional amount, and one of the stages includes conversion circuitry to compensate for a fractional phase. A method also is provided.

Abstract: In some implementations, a system includes a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit and a digital control unit. The PLL circuit includes a digital loop filter, a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO), and a divider circuit. The digital control unit is configured determine a preset value for the DCO; determine initial gain coefficients and final gain coefficients for the digital loop filter; determine N/R values for the divider circuit; while the PLL circuit is operating in an open-loop configuration, provide the preset value to the DCO, the initial gain coefficients to the digital loop filter, and the N/R values to the divider circuit; after providing the preset value, initial gain coefficients, and N/R values, initiate operation of the PLL circuit in the closed-loop configuration; and in response to detection of a phase lock of the PLL circuit operating in the closed-loop configuration, provide the final gain coefficients to the digital loop filter.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes variable gain amplifiers with gain-based compensation. In some embodiments, a variable gain amplifier (VGA) includes a gain stage, an output stage, a compensation stage, and a capacitor coupled between respective outputs of the gain stage and compensation stage. A gain of the VGA is configured, based on a gain setting, to amplify signals received by the variable gain amplifier. A gain of the compensation stage is configured, based on the gain setting, to alter an effective capacitance of the capacitor, which is applied to the output of the gain stage for compensation of the VGA. By altering the effective capacitance based on the gain setting of the VGA, compensation capacitance is adjusted continuously with changes in the gain setting and at a similar resolution. In various embodiments, the continuous adjustment of the compensation capacitance across different gain levels prevents discontinuities in amplifier compensation.

Abstract: A digital locking loop circuit (DLLC), such as a digital phase-locked loop or digital delay-locked loop, includes a digitally-controlled frequency generator, a digital loop filter configured to output a digital control signal for the frequency generator, and a multi-stage time-to-digital converter to detect phase error between an input reference clock signal and an output signal fed back from the frequency generator, to adjust the digitally-controlled frequency generator to decrease the phase error. Each phase-error detection stage detects a phase error component at a respective resolution, and combinatorial logic combines the components into a phase error signal. The plurality of stages may operate in parallel to provide different portions of the phase error signal. The DLLC may include a fractional phase interpolator to adjust the target frequency by a fractional amount, and one of the stages includes conversion circuitry to compensate for a fractional phase. A method also is provided.

Abstract: In some implementations, a system includes a magnetic media disk and a read/write unit. The read/write unit includes a plurality of phase-locked loops (PLLs), an interpolator unit, a delay-locked loop, and a precompensation unit. The PLLs are configured to generate, using a reference clock signal, a first plurality of clock signals having different frequencies phases. The interpolator unit is configured to interpolate the first plurality of clock signals in accordance with a frequency offset signal to generate a single-phase clock signal. The delay-locked loop is configured to delay the single-phase clock signal in accordance with a PLL data clock signal to generate a second plurality of clock signals having different phases. The precompensation unit is configured to apply precompensation to the second plurality of clock signals to generate a timing signal for writing data to the magnetic media disk.

Abstract: A precompensation circuit can include: a rising edge interpolator circuit configured to generate a phase shifted rising edge data signal; a falling edge interpolator circuit configured to generate a phase shifted falling edge data signal; a multiplexer circuit coupled with the rising edge interpolator circuit and with the falling edge interpolator circuit to multiplex the phase shifted rising edge data signal and the phase shifted falling edge data signal into an output data signal responsive to a select signal; and a control circuit coupled with the select input of the multiplexer circuit to control production of the output data signal, wherein the control circuit is further coupled with both the rising edge interpolator circuit and the falling edge interpolator circuit to change the select signal to the multiplexer circuit at times determined by both the phase shifted rising edge data signal and the phase shifted falling edge data signal.

Abstract: A method includes, in at least one aspect, selecting a first phase signal, where the first phase signal concurrently enables a first pair of switching elements; selecting a second phase signal, where the second phase signal concurrently enables a second pair of switching elements; and generating an interpolated phase signal by providing a connection between a switching element of the first pair of switching elements to an output node and providing a connection between a switching element of the second pair of switching elements to the output node.

Abstract: A method for providing an interpolated output signal includes, in at least one aspect, receiving a plurality of phase signals applying each phase signal of the plurality of phase signals to switching elements of a first set of switching elements receiving a plurality of select signals, applying an asserted select signal to a first switching element of a second set of switching elements to provide a connection between a first switching element of the first set of switching elements and a first output terminal, and applying the asserted select signal to a second switching element of the second set of switching elements to provide a connection between a second switching element of the first set of switching elements and a second output terminal.

Abstract: A phase interpolator is provided that, in one implementation, includes first and second interpolator modules, each having an output in communication with an output node. The first interpolator includes an input to receive a first plurality of input phase signals, and a selector to select one or more of the first plurality of input phase signals for interpolation at the output node of the phase interpolator. The second interpolator module includes an input to receive a second plurality of input phase signals, and a selector to select one or more of the second plurality of input phase signals for interpolation at the output node of the phase interpolator. Each of the selected ones of the first plurality of input signals and each of the selected ones of the second plurality of input signals are included in an interpolated output signal.

Abstract: A circuit to detect pin layer reversal including an input circuit to receive an input signal having a first portion to indicate a pin layer reversal and having a second portion to indicate a servo sync mark, a first servo sync mark detector for detecting a positive servo sync mark from the input signal, a second servo sync mark detector for detecting a negative servo sync mark from the input signal, and a circuit responsive to the positive servo sync mark and the negative servo sync mark to generate a signal to indicate if the servo sync mark has been reversed and to generate a signal to indicate the pin layer reversal.

Abstract: A circuit to detect pin layer reversal including an input circuit to receive an input signal having a first portion to indicate a pin layer reversal and having a second portion to indicate a servo sync mark, a first servo sync mark detector for detecting a positive servo sync mark from the input signal, a second servo sync mark detector for detecting a negative servo sync mark from the input signal, and a circuit responsive to the positive servo sync mark and the negative servo sync mark to generate a signal to indicate if the servo sync mark has been reversed and to generate a signal to indicate the pin layer reversal.

Abstract: The present invention includes a variable gain amplifier to output two differential signals which are level shifted and compared through two comparators to drive a charge pump which produces either a discharge current or a charge current to provide feedback control to the variable gain amplifier.