Dual Reader Controller Power Reduction via BER Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hard disk drive (HDD) power consumption is high due to the need for dual readers in magnetic recording systems, which consumes unnecessary energy when bit-error rates (BER) are low, leading to increased total cost of operation (TCO).

Innovation Solution

Implement a method to determine the preferable dual reader based on certification parameters, using only the single reader when the BER is below a threshold, and both readers when above the threshold, thereby reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dual readers are used in magnetic recording systems, then reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveread operation reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between single-reader and dual-reader modes based on real-time BER conditions. When BER is below the threshold, only one reader operates; when BER exceeds the threshold, both readers are activated to improve reliability. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making reader configuration flexible rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter (number of active readers) based on the BER parameter. By monitoring BER and adjusting the reader configuration accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between reliability and power consumption, using dual readers only when necessary to maintain read operation reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If dual readers operate continuously, then read speed is improved, but energy expenditure increases unnecessarily when BER is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveread speedVSAvoidenergy expenditure

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuously using both readers (excessive action), the system uses only the necessary number of readers based on current BER conditions (partial action). When BER is acceptable, a single reader suffices; when BER is high, both readers are engaged. This principle eliminates unnecessary energy expenditure while maintaining adequate read speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system periodically monitors BER and adjusts reader operation accordingly. This periodic assessment allows the system to switch between single-reader and dual-reader modes, optimizing energy expenditure while maintaining read speed when needed and reducing power consumption when BER is low.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS11631424B1Dual reader controller

Publication Date: 2023.04.18 SEAGATE TECH LLC

AI summary

The technology disclosed herein provides a method including determining an acceptable parameter rate for a dual reader storage device having dual readers, identifying one of the dual readers as the preferable reader, comparing an actual parameter rate of the storage device to the acceptable parameter rate of the storage device, and in response to determining that the actual parameter rate is below the acceptable parameter rate, operating the storage device using only the preferable reader. In one implementation, the parameter rate is bit-error rate (BER) of the dual readers.