Patent ID: 6583943
Filing Date: 2003-06-24
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A sync byte detection system for use in a disk drive, comprising:a rotatable disk comprising at least one track for storing data in blocks of a predefined format, the data block format comprising a primary sync byte field including a primary sync byte pattern, a redundant sync byte field including a redundant sync byte pattern, and a data field, the primary and redundant sync byte fields being separated by an isolating region comprising at least one byte; a transducer; means for selectably positioning the transducer in close proximity to the disk; a data channel coupled to the transducer and including a sync byte detection circuit for detecting a sync byte pattern in an electrical signal received from the transducer; mode selecting means for conditioning the sync byte detection circuit to detect the primary sync byte pattern in a first mode of operation and the redundant sync byte pattern in a second mode of operation, wherein the primary sync byte pattern and the redundant sync byte pattern are detected prior to a reading of said data field; a dedicated servo disk surface; and a dedicated servo transducer for reading the servo information and producing therefrom an electrical servo signal.