Patent ID: 6124994
Filing Date: 2000-09-26
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, and the primary and redundant sync byte fields are each configured to store data indicating the beginning of the data field;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; andmode selecting means for conditioning the sync byte detection circuit to detect the primary sync byte pattern to synchronize to said data field in a first mode of operation and the redundant sync byte pattern to synchronize to said data field 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.