Disk Drive Post-Transmission Error Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing disk drive systems face inefficiencies in data transfer due to the need to wait for complete sector data and perform error correction and cyclic redundancy check (ECC) processes before sending data to the host system, which limits data flow.

Innovation Solution

Data is sent to the host system as it is being read, with error correction and checking performed afterwards, and replacement data is sent along with communication CRC data, including off-set instructions to inform the host system where corrections should be applied.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If error correction and CRC checking are performed before sending data to the host system, then data integrity is ensured, but data transfer efficiency deteriorates due to waiting for complete sector processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoiddata transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Data is transmitted to the host system in advance, before error correction and CRC verification are completed. The system prepares and sends data packets containing data, CRC values, and status indicators upfront, allowing the host to receive data continuously while error checking proceeds in the background. This preliminary transmission action resolves the contradiction by prioritizing data flow speed while maintaining integrity verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The data transfer process is segmented into independent units (data packets) that can be transmitted individually without waiting for complete sector processing. Each packet contains a portion of the data along with its CRC and status information, allowing parallel transmission of multiple packets while error correction is performed asynchronously. This segmentation enables continuous data flow while maintaining reliability checks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If complete sector data is read and processed before transmission, then error checking accuracy is maintained, but data flow continuity deteriorates due to processing delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerror checking accuracyVSAvoiddata flow continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

Data packets are transmitted to the host system before complete error checking and correction are finished. The system calculates and includes CRC values and status indicators in the transmitted packets in advance, allowing error checking to continue asynchronously after transmission. This maintains measurement precision while enabling continuous data flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous data transmission by sending packets as they become available rather than waiting for complete sector processing. Error checking and correction operations continue in the background without interrupting the data flow to the host, ensuring both accuracy and continuity are maintained simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS7571373B1Post-transmission disk error correction

Publication Date: 2009.08.04 NVIDIA CORP

AI summary

Method and apparatus for sending data from a disk drive as that data is being read. Error correction and checking is performed after the data is sent, followed by a calculation and transmission of communication cyclic redundancy check information. If error correction and checking identifies a problem, corrected replacement data is determined and sent. Data off-sets can be sent to inform the host system where the corrected data is to be applied.