Hardware Read Sample Averaging for Multi-Sector Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data storage systems face challenges in efficiently performing multi-sector recovery through read sample averaging, as firmware-based implementations are complex and resource-intensive, particularly when managing multiple reads and storage for simultaneous sector recovery.
Innovation Solution
A hardware-based read sample averaging module (RSAM) is integrated within the read channel circuit, which automates the read sample averaging process, allowing for simultaneous recovery of multiple sectors by averaging samples and decoding them efficiently, with minimal firmware intervention and using internal memory for all operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If firmware-based read sample averaging is implemented, then multi-sector recovery capability is achieved, but system complexity and resource consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces firmware-based read sample averaging with a hardware-based implementation. The read channel circuit includes sample averaging logic that automatically performs averaging operations on read samples before decoding, eliminating the need for complex firmware to manage this function. This hardware substitution directly resolves the contradiction by maintaining multi-sector recovery capability while dramatically reducing firmware complexity and resource consumption.
2Reliability
If multiple reads are performed for sector recovery, then decoding success rate improves, but recovery time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary sample averaging in hardware before the decoding stage. By pre-averaging multiple read samples in the read channel circuit, the system prepares optimized input data for decoding in advance. This preliminary action improves decoding success rate while minimizing the time penalty, as the averaging occurs in parallel with other operations and does not require sequential firmware processing after all reads are complete.
Solution Approach 2:
The hardware-based sample averaging operates continuously as reads are performed, maintaining a running average of samples without interrupting the read stream. This continuous operation allows multiple reads to contribute to recovery simultaneously rather than sequentially, improving decoding success rate while reducing total recovery time compared to traditional firmware-based approaches that must complete all reads before processing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If firmware manages sample storage for multiple sectors, then simultaneous sector recovery is enabled, but memory bandwidth limitations are exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sample averaging function from firmware and implements it locally in the read channel circuit. This extraction eliminates the need for firmware to fetch, process, and manage samples from memory, thereby reducing memory bandwidth consumption. Each read channel independently performs averaging on its own samples, enabling simultaneous sector recovery without competing for memory bandwidth.
4Productivity
If hardware-based read sample averaging is implemented, then recovery time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The read channel circuit is designed to be self-sufficient by incorporating dedicated sample averaging logic within itself. Each read channel independently performs averaging operations on its own read samples without requiring external firmware control or intervention. This self-service approach accelerates recovery by eliminating firmware processing bottlenecks while containing complexity within modular read channel units that can be replicated without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for hardware-based read sample averaging in a data storage device. In one example, a read channel circuit including a buffer memory is configured to receive a read instruction to read a selected sector, obtain detected sample values for the selected sector, and determine whether the read instruction corresponds to a re-read operation for the selected sector based on determining whether there are stored samples for the selected sector already stored to a locked buffer entry of the buffer memory. When there are stored sample values stored to the locked buffer entry, the example read channel circuit determines the re-read operation is occurring, and performs read sample averaging based on the detected sample values and the stored sample values to produce averaged sample values. Other examples and configurations are also described.