Quasi-Static Test System for Magnetic Head Bit Error Rate Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bit error rate (BER) testing for magnetic heads is time-consuming and labor-intensive, requiring individual slider testing, which limits efficiency and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A quasi-static test (QST) system that measures noise characteristics, constructs and injects a noise waveform into a model comprising a transmitter and receiver module to evaluate BER, using a digital storage oscilloscope and pseudorandom binary sequences to determine bit errors and calculate BER.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional BER testing is performed using DET testing platform with individual slider testing, then testing accuracy is maintained, but testing time and manpower increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual model of the magnetic head and storage medium that replicates the physical testing environment. This virtual model allows multiple sliders to be tested simultaneously through simulation, eliminating the need for physical individual slider testing while maintaining testing accuracy through accurate noise waveform generation and bit error rate calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the testing approach by changing from physical dynamic testing to quasi-static simulation. The noise waveform is generated and injected into the virtual model under controlled noise conditions, allowing parallel testing of multiple sliders. This parameter change enables simultaneous testing of multiple units without compromising accuracy.
2Productivity
If individual slider testing is performed, then testing precision is maintained, but device complexity and manpower requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual model serves multiple functions simultaneously: it simulates the magnetic head, storage medium, noise characteristics, and bit error rate evaluation. This multi-functional approach allows a single testing system to evaluate multiple sliders through different noise conditions, reducing the need for multiple specialized testing setups and personnel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical physical testing system with a computational simulation system. Instead of physically moving sliders and measuring noise characteristics manually, the system uses digital noise waveform generation and virtual signal processing to achieve the same measurements, thereby reducing mechanical complexity and manpower requirements.
3Measurement precision
If noise waveform is injected into the model, then testing accuracy is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary noise characteristic measurement on the physical magnetic head before creating the virtual model. The noise waveform is captured and processed in advance, then injected into the virtual model for simulation. This preliminary action ensures that the virtual model accurately represents the physical device's noise characteristics, improving measurement accuracy without requiring complex real-time measurements during testing.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for evaluating bit error rate for a magnetic head by using a quasi-static test system, includes step (a), measuring a noise characteristic curve for a magnetic head, and the noise characteristic comprising noise amplitude and maximum noise amplitude; step (b), constructing a noise waveform by appropriately scaling a signal noise ratio of the magnetic head based on the noise characteristic curve measured in step (a); and step (c), injecting the noise waveform constructed in step (b) into a model comprising a transmitter module and a receiver module to evaluate a bit error rate. The method saves testing time, reduces manpower, and obtains accuracy testing result.