Abstract:
A SYNC Detected signal (1035) is normally provided by resetting a flip-flop (1237) when a synchronization code in a header or data preamble of a disc sector is detected by logic (1223). Flip-flop (1237) is initially forced set by a signal (1229 or 1231) indicating a header or data preamble should be present. Detection of the code pulls SYNC DET (1225) low to reset the flip-flop (1237) and thereby force SYNC Detected high. If the code is not detected when it should have been, a signal SET SYNC (651) is forced low to reset another flip-flop (1251) which puts SYNCW(12191) low and putsSYNC Detected (1035) high via an inverter (1221). Accordingly data will always be read from a header preamble but the header will not be read correctly and will not match the target header. Data will therefore not be read from or written to the sector.
Abstract:
An alignment disk including data tracks written in a spiral configuration, through the use of microstepping techniques, to accurately test a variety of transducer head parameters including head alignment, resolution and offset. The tracks include standard spiral tracks, S-shaped clamping spiral tracks and bordered spiral tracks, comprising a sequence of discrete address blocks each containing unique identifying information. The spacing of each address block is precisely known and because each is separately identifiable transducer head location can be precisely ascertained. The microstepping technique may also be employed to create a copy protected disk for disk drives having half-track read and write capabilities.
Abstract:
A hard disk drive which meets the type II PCMCIA specifications is provided. The disk drive has an outer housing (12) and a connector (14) which allow the drive to be plugged into a host computer. All of the electrical components of the drive are mounted to a single printed circuit board (90). The circuit board is approximately one-third the length of the housing and is located between the disk (18) and the connector. The reduction in the board length allows the circuit board to be placed in the same plane as the disk and therefore does not add to the thickness of the overall assembly.
Abstract:
A disk drive (10) including a pair of side rails (101, 102) and a connector (105) is disclosed. The disk drive (10) may advantageously be connected to a personal computer, in a location normally reserved for a memory card. The disk drive (10) may be constructed to conform to specification issued by the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA).
Abstract:
A disk drive (100) capable of receiving a cartridge (20) having a disk (42) with a diameter of about 3.5 inches which can contain at least 105 megabytes of data includes an operating mechanism (112) for initating and controlling the positioning of an actuator arm (176) upon which is mounted a read/write transducer (178). The position of a spindle motor (224) which is used to spin up the disk (42) contained in the cartridge (20) to an operating speed, the locking of the cartridge (20) in the disk drive (100) in an operating mode and the ejection of the cartridge (20) from the drive (100). The operating mechanism (112) can function to eject the cartridge (20) whether or not the drive (100) is powered up in order to be able to remove the cartridge (20) and transport it to another disk drive (100) or to a secured location.
Abstract:
A hard disk drive (30) implemented as a plug-in module (38) has a height form factor of 10 mm and a foot print of 85.6 mm x 54 mm. The footprint corresponds to the dimensions of memory cards. The disk drive (30) uses a modified suspension in which the load beams (118, 119) are welded to a actuator plates (114, 115) thereby eliminating the use of a stackable suspension. The disk (48) may be a glass substrate having a thickness of approximately 0.381 mm (0.015") or an aluminum substrate having a thickness of approximately 0.635 mm (0.025").