Head degradation characterization for a data storage device

Details Head degradation characterization for a data storage device Head degradation characterization for a data storage device

2007-07-03

2007-07-03

Torres, Joseph D. (Department: 2133)

Error detection/correction and fault detection/recovery

Pulse or data error handling

Error count or rate

C714S708000

Reexamination Certificate

active

10458633

ABSTRACT:
A method and apparatus for characterizing whether a head of a data storage device exhibits excessive performance degradation. The device includes a data transducing head adjacent a recording medium, and read channel circuitry with a variable gain amplifier (VGA) and gain control block. The gain control block supplies VGA gain control values to the VGA to nominally maintain amplitudes of readback signals obtained from the head within a selected range suitable for remaining portions of the read channel circuitry. A baseline VGA gain control value is first obtained, after which the read channel is parametrically adapted to optimize read error performance. An adaptive VGA gain control value is thereafter obtained, and head degradation is determined in relation to the magnitude of the adaptive VGA gain control value as well as in relation to a difference between the VGA gain control value and the baseline value.

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