Abstract:
According to one embodiment, a storage apparatus includes: a read section that receives a predetermined electrical parameter to read out data from a recording medium; a characteristic detection section that detects a plurality of characteristic values corresponding to a plurality of different predetermined electrical parameters received by the read section, respectively, the characteristic values being predetermined indicators of the read section, respectively; a characteristic relation acquisition section that acquires a slope of a characteristic value versus a predetermined electrical parameter from the predetermined electrical parameters and the characteristic values; and a determination section that determines presence/absence of failure in the read section based on the slope acquired by the characteristic relation acquisition section.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a storage apparatus, a method of detecting a failure in a head of a storage apparatus, and a storage medium storing a failure detection program. And more particularly, to a storage apparatus which is provided with a tunnel effect MR head (TuMR head) as a head to thereby read information from a recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a method of detecting a failure in a head of a storage apparatus, and a storage medium storing a failure detection program. 
     2. Description of the Related Technology 
     In a storage apparatus, (for example, an HDD that has recently been used in various types of products such as a desktop PC, notebook PC, server, audio-visual equipment, and automobile product), linear density (BPI)/transfer rate is improved along with improvement in the recording density (surface density). In recent years, various types of magnetic disk heads supporting a higher transfer rate are developed in order to allow the technological update of the storage apparatus and produced on a commercial basis. 
     As one of the above magnetic disk heads, there is known a TuMR head which is based on tunnel effect (refer to, e.g., Patent Document 1 (Patent Publication WO2002/093564)). A magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus disclosed in this Patent Document 1 has a TuMR head serving as a magnetic reproducing head and a signal processing circuit for supplying a signal detection current and voltage to the TuMR head and amplifying and processing a signal obtained from the TuMR head. In this magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus, when the SNR of a detection signal processed in the signal processing circuit exhibits the maximum value within a predetermined range of voltages applied to the TuMR head, the TuMR head is driven by a voltage drive circuit; otherwise, the TuMR head is driven by a current drive circuit. The TuMR head is used as a mainstream reading head for a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus regardless of whether the magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus adopts a horizontal recording mode or vertical recording mode. 
     However, the TuMR head is still in the early days of its development and therefore has a problem concerning long-term reliability throughout product life under today&#39;s situation that quality verification time must be shortened. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and an object thereof is to provide a storage apparatus, a method of detecting a failure in a head, and a failure detection program capable of ensuring long-term reliability of a storage apparatus using, e.g., a TuMR head as a reading head. 
     To solve the above problem, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage apparatus comprising: a read section that receives a predetermined electrical parameter to read out data from a recording medium; a characteristic detection part that detects a plurality of characteristic values which are predetermined indicators of the read section corresponding to the plurality of different predetermined electrical parameters that have been given to the read part; a characteristic relation acquisition part that acquires as a characteristic relation a relationship between the predetermined electrical parameter and characteristic value from the predetermined electrical parameter and plurality of characteristic values acquired by the characteristic detection part; and a determination section that determines presence/absence of failure in the read part based on the characteristic relation acquired by the characteristic relation acquisition part. 
     In the storage apparatus according to the present invention, the characteristic detection part detects the characteristic value in a temporal manner as well as the characteristic relation acquisition part acquires the characteristic relation in a temporal manner based on the characteristic value that has been detected in a temporal manner, and the characteristic relation acquisition part determines presence/absence of failure in the read part based on a temporal change in the characteristic relation. 
     In the storage apparatus according to the present invention, the characteristic relation is a slope of the characteristic value corresponding to the predetermined electrical parameters obtained at a plurality of measurement points. 
     Further, according to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of detecting a failure in a head of a storage apparatus, comprising: a read step that gives a plurality of different predetermined electrical parameters to a head to read out data from a recording medium using the head; a characteristic detection step that detects a characteristic value which is a predetermined indicator of the head corresponding to the predetermined electrical parameter that has been given in the read step; a characteristic relation acquisition step that acquires as a characteristic relation a relationship between the predetermined electrical parameter and characteristic value from the predetermined electrical parameter and plurality of characteristic values acquired by the characteristic detection step; and a determination step that determines presence/absence of failure in the head based on the characteristic relation acquired by the characteristic relation acquisition step. 
     Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a failure detection program that allows a computer to execute a method of detecting a failure in a head of a storage apparatus, the program allowing the computer to execute: a read step that gives a plurality of different predetermined electrical parameters to a head to read out data from a recording medium using the head; a characteristic detection step that detects a characteristic value which is a predetermined indicator of the head corresponding to the predetermined electrical parameter that has been given in the read step; a characteristic relation acquisition step that acquires as a characteristic relation a relationship between the predetermined electrical parameter and characteristic value from the predetermined electrical parameter and plurality of characteristic values acquired by the characteristic detection step; and a determination step that determines presence/absence of failure in the head based on the characteristic relation acquired by the characteristic relation acquisition step. 
     According to the present invention, there can be provided a storage apparatus, a method of detecting a failure in a head of a storage apparatus, and a storage medium storing a failure detection program capable of ensuring long-term reliability. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a configuration of magnetic disk drive (HDD) according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a view showing a relationship between a bias voltage (predetermined electrical parameter) Vb applied to a TuMR head and a voltage (one characteristic value) BHV output as a monitor signal corresponding to a head resistance value; 
         FIG. 3  is a view showing a relationship between the monitor voltage BHV and a head resistance value Rmr; 
         FIG. 4  is a view showing a correlation between the head resistance value Rmr and its output obtained at a specific write frequency; 
         FIG. 5  is a view showing a correlation between the bias voltage Vb and error rate in the case where the bias voltage Vb is applied to the head through a Pre Amp; 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing operation of failure determination processing performed before product shipment; 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing operation of failure determination processing performed after product shipment; 
         FIG. 8  is a view showing a characteristic relation between the bias voltage and VTM, which shows a first example in which failure is determined to occur; 
         FIG. 9  is a view showing a characteristic relation between the bias voltage and VTM, which shows a second example in which failure is determined to occur; 
         FIG. 10  is a view showing a characteristic relation between the bias voltage and VTM, which shows a third example in which failure is determined to occur; 
         FIG. 11  is a view showing a characteristic relation between the bias voltage and VTM, which shows a fourth example in which failure is determined to occur; and 
         FIG. 12  is a view showing a characteristic relation between the bias voltage and VTM, which shows a fifth example in which failure is determined to occur. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     An embodiment of the present invention will be described below, taking a magnetic disk drive as an example of a storage apparatus. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a configuration of magnetic disk drive (HDD)  1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The HDD  1  has, on  15  the side of a PCA (Printed Circuit Assembly)  2  that controls operation of the HDD and controls communication with a HOST Interface, an HDC (Hard Disk Controller)  3  that mainly performs interface protocol control, data buffer control, and disk format control and an MCU (Micro Control Unit)  6  that controls the HDC  3 , an RDC (Read channel)  7 , and an SVC (Servo Control IC)  8  as well as manages a RAM (Random Access Memory)  4  and a ROM (Flash ROM)  5 . The RDC  7  performs data write/read control (data modulation/demodulation) and SVC  8  performs VCM control and SPM control. 
     The HDD  1  has, on the side of a disk enclosure  9 , a preamplifier  10  which is a fixed amplifier that performs write operation for a head and read operation from the head. The number of channels provided in the preamplifier  10  corresponds to the number (N) of heads. 
     The preamplifier  10  includes a write driver  11 , a heater driver  12 , a read preamplifier  13  and a control circuit  14  therefor. 
     Further, the HDD  1  has an VCM (Voice Coil Motor)  15  that controls operation of an actuator supporting a head, an SPM (Spindle Motor)  17  that controls rotation of a spindle shaft holding a magnetic disk  16  which is a recording medium to which data is written for storage, and a dual head  18  having a write head for data write and an MR head for data read. The HDD  1  in the embodiment corresponds to a storage apparatus of the present invention. The head in the present embodiment corresponds to a read part of the present invention. A characteristic detection section, a characteristic relation acquisition section, and a determination section are each constituted by the head  18 , preamplifier  10 , RAM  4 , ROM  5 , and MCU  6 . 
     The HDD according to the embodiment of the present invention makes a determination of the occurrence of head (TuMR) failure for itself. That is, in the case where a given characteristic relation exceeds a threshold value (predetermined range) before product shipment, or in the case where the characteristic relation fluctuates with time, the HDD determines that the HDD itself do not meet product shipment criterion and thereby removed from a shipment list during a test process. 
     The above test process may be performed at any stage (e.g., in an assembled state of a head suspension, after the head suspension assembly has been fitted to an actuator arm, or the like) of the assembly process of the storage apparatus. 
     Therefore, it is possible to remove a faulty head before the assembly of the storage apparatus has been completed. Thus, selection of a sophisticated head can be made with the result that only the selected sophisticated head is mounted on the storage apparatus, enabling the storage apparatus to be a product of high performance and excellent reliability. 
     Further, the HDD according to the present embodiment performs periodic monitoring for itself after product shipment. That is, in the case where a given characteristic relation exceeds a threshold value (predetermined range), or in the case where the characteristic relation fluctuates with time (temporally changes), the HDD generates an alarm to notify a user of the occurrence of failure and thereby reliability of the TuMR, which is a write head, is always ensured. 
     Therefore, it is possible to notify the user of failure in the head before the storage apparatus cannot normally perform its recording/reproducing operation. Thus, the user can make adequate responses such as repair and data backup, enabling improvement in reliability of the storage apparatus. 
     In the periodic monitoring performed after product shipment, power-on count (the number of times of power-on operations) or access count is recorded as a history. The monitoring is performed every time the power-on count or access count reaches a predetermined count and thereby the temporal change can be determined. 
     Operation of the present embodiment will be described as follows. 
       FIG. 2  shows a relationship between a bias voltage (predetermined electrical parameter) Vb applied to the TuMR head and a voltage (one characteristic value) BHV output as a monitor signal corresponding to a head resistance value. In this case, head resistance value Rmr is set to 350 [Ω]. 
     In general, a head IC (Pre Amp) that controls a head of a magnetic disk drive has a monitor circuit represented by the following equation (1). The monitor circuit is used for measuring the head resistance value Rmr.
 
 BHV=A* ( Vb/Rmr )  (1)
 
(A is fixed gain)
 
     In the case where a given constant bias voltage is applied, a relationship between the monitor voltage BHV and head resistance value Rmr as shown in  FIG. 3  is obtained, and the head resistance value can be obtained from the BHV voltage. In the example of  FIG. 3 , the bias voltage is set to 200 [mV]. 
     The following equation (2) is an inverse operation of the equation (1).
 
 Rmr=A*  ( Vb/BHV )  (2)
 
     In the case where the head resistance value Rmr assumes 350 [ω] in  FIG. 3 , the BHV assumes about 740 [mV]. In this manner, a change in the Rmr can be detected by a change in the BHV. 
     In the present embodiment, the above relationships are used to obtain a relationship (characteristic relation or correlation) between the head resistance value (characteristic value) and bias voltage (electrical parameter). Then, a slope representing the relationship between the head resistance and bias voltage or a temporal change in the slope is detected to thereby determine presence/absence of failure. When it is determined that failure has occurred, the failure detection alarm is generated. 
     The head resistance value keeps constant unless degradation of the head element occurs. However, in some heads, the resistance value thereof changes depending on frequency of use. In order to cope with this, the monitor voltage BHV is monitored to thereby capture a temporal change in the head resistance value, and determination is made as follows: when a change rate of the head resistance value falls within a given standard value range, the head is determined to be normal, while when the change rate falls outside the standard value range, the head is determined to be abnormal and the failure detection alarm is generated. This can increase reliability in the failure detection as compared to the case where the occurrence of failure is determined only by detecting the slope. 
     A failure detection means using the temporal change monitors the initial state during the product shipment process to acquire a relationship (characteristic relation) between the head resistance value (characteristic value) and bias voltage and further measures (periodically) the slope once again after the pre-shipment test is conducted. In this manner, a change in the slope is detected before product shipment to thereby detect degradation of the head element, if it occurs. 
       FIG. 4  shows a correlation between the head resistance value Rmr and its output obtained at a specific write frequency. Although the degree of correlation in the characteristic relation is low, the relation assumes that the higher the head resistance value Rmr, the higher the output voltage becomes. The higher the output value, the better the S/N ratio is, so that it is known that the error rate obtained from the S/N ratio is acceptable. Therefore, it can be said in general that in the case where the head resistance value is changed, the error rate for the head correspondingly fluctuates. 
       FIG. 5  shows a correlation between the bias voltage Vb and error rate in the case where the bias voltage Vb is applied to the head through the Pre Amp. The term “VTM” denotes a value obtained by a monitoring method that indicates the error rate in a simple manner. In  FIG. 5 , there exists a linear correlation (characteristic relation) between the VTM and change in the Vb with a given slope. However, it has been found that if a change occurs in the head resistance value, such a relationship cannot be established. Note that although the VTM (Viterbi Trellis Margin) is also referred to as CSM (Channel Statistics Measurement), the former one is used in this specification. The VTM is defined by counts obtained in the case where a difference between metric values associated with two paths falls below a given threshold value and given by the total sum of the counts at 100-sector (about 400,000 bits) read time. 
     Thus, as shown in  FIG. 5 , a correlation (characteristic relation) between the bias voltage and simple error rate monitor VTM is first acquired. In the case where the correlation exceeds a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that failure has occurred. On the other hand, in the case where it is determined that no failure has occurred, the initial value of the correlation is retained and, if the retained value exceeds a given standard in the course of time, it is determined that failure due to deterioration with time has occurred and thereby the failure detection alarm is generated. In the following description, the VTM which corresponds to the resistance value is used as a characteristic value. 
     Note that  FIG. 5  shows a case where the VTM is measured at five measurement points of the bias voltage Vb which is a predetermined electrical parameter, at which a plurality of values different from one another are obtained. The measurement points may be determined arbitrarily as long as at least two measurement points at which the slope therebetween can be obtained are selected. 
     The example of  FIG. 5  has four slopes Δ 1  to Δ 4 . In general, Δx (x=2 to n, where n is integer number) is used. This Δx is set as a parameter used for determining, in terms of the slope, presence/absence of the occurrence of failure (that is, Δx is set as a parameter used for determining presence/absence of the occurrence of failure in the initial state) and, at the same time, is stored as an initial value for determining presence/absence of occurrence of failure due to temporal change of the slope. Further, a given threshold value is provided to thereby recognize presence/absence of a change. In the case where a change occurs, the failure detection alarm is generated. In this manner, whether each product is acceptable or not is determined in the test process before product shipment. 
     Further, in the field operation after product shipment, the periodic monitoring is allowed to be automatically performed for alarm notification to the user. 
     A concrete example of above operation will be described using flowcharts Of  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing operation of failure determination processing performed before product shipment. 
     After a product pre-shipment test is started (step S 1 ) to turn the power ON (step S 2 ), a predetermined test is carried out (step S 3 ) and, after that, the operation according to the present embodiment is started appropriately (step S 4 ). First, a plurality of voltage values (points) are set for the bias voltage to be measured (step S 5 ). The VTM (characteristic value) which corresponds to the head resistance value is measured at the set points (step S 6 ), and slope Ax is obtained from the VTM values at the respective points (step S 7 ). Then, the slope is set as an initial value and stored in a memory (step S 8 ), and it is determined whether the slope falls within a standard value range (in other words, whether the slope exceeds a predetermined threshold value) (step S 9 ). In the case where it is determined that the slope does not fall within the standard value range (N in step S 9 ), it is determined that failure (defect) has occurred and the failure detection alarm is generated (step S 15 ). In the case where it is determined that the slope falls within the standard value range (Y in step S 9 ), it is determined that no failure has occurred. 
     Then, after test items other than those according to the present embodiment are carried out (step S 10 ), the VTM is measured once again at the respective points set in step S 5  (step S 11 ), and the slope Δx is obtained in the similar manner as step S 7  (step S 12 ). Then, a difference between the slope obtained in step S 12  and that obtained in step S 7  is obtained and, then, whether the difference falls within a predetermined standard value range is determined. In the case where it is determined that the difference does not fall within the standard value range (in other words, in the case where it is determined that the difference exceeds the standard value range) (N in step S 13 ), it is determined that failure (defect) has occurred and the failure detection alarm is generated (step S 16 ). In the case where it is determined that the difference does not exceed the standard value range (Y in step S 13 ), it is determined that no failure has occurred, and this flow is ended (step S 14 ). 
     In the case where a plurality of heads are provided, the same failure determination processing is performed for respective heads. 
     Next, failure determination processing performed after product shipment will be described.  FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing operation of failure determination processing performed after product shipment. 
     After power is turned ON to activate system operation (step S 21 ), access processing is made to the HDD (step S 22 ). Then, it is determined whether command reception processing is being performed (step S 23 ) and, in the case where it is determined that the command reception processing is not being performed (in other words, the HDD is in its idle time) (N in step S 23 ), TuMR head failure determination processing is started (step S 24 ). 
     Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which power-on count or access count is stored as a history and TuMR head failure determination processing is started during the idle time at the timing at which the power-on count or access count exceeds a predetermined count (for example, when the power-on count reaches 100 or 1000). 
     The VTM is measured at the respective points set in step 5 of  FIG. 6  (step S 25 ). Subsequently, the slope Δx is obtained from the VTM values (step S 26 ) and stored in a memory (step S 27 ). Then, a difference between the slope obtained in step S 26  and that obtained in step S 12  of  FIG. 6  is obtained and, then, whether the difference falls within a predetermined standard value range is determined (step S 28 ). In the case where it is determined that the difference exceeds a predetermined standard value range (in other words, in the case where it is determined that the difference does not fall within the standard value range) (N in step S 28 ), it is determined that failure (defect) has occurred and the failure detection alarm is generated (step S 30 ). In the case where it is determined that the difference does not exceed the standard value range (Y in step S 28 ), it is determined that no failure has occurred, and this flow is ended (step S 29 ). 
       FIGS. 8 to 12  show examples in which failure is determined to occur in steps S 13  and S 29 . In the respective graphs, the line whose measurement points are denoted by black dots represents the initial value of the characteristic value acquired in step S 6 , and the line whose measurement points are denoted by squares represents the characteristic value acquired in steps S 11  and S 26 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a case where sensitivity with respect to the initial value becomes high and thereby the slope corresponding to the bias voltage Vb becomes steeper. In this case, there is no problem if the change falls within a given threshold value range. However, if the change exceeds an estimated range, the failure detection alarm is generated. 
       FIG. 9  shows a case where the entire average slope is changed from a downward slope characteristic (monotone decreasing slope) to an upward slope (monotone increasing slope). In this case, the slope polarity is reversed relative to that determined by the initial values as shown in  FIG. 9 , so that it is determined that the change exceeds a threshold value and the failure detection alarm is generated. 
       FIG. 10  shows a case where VTM measurement is carried out while the bias voltage Vb being changed. In this case, VTM characteristic fluctuates for each measurement. As can be seen in  FIG. 10 , positive and negative slope polarities exist and, further, the characteristic value (partial slope) fluctuates. Therefore, the head is determined to have unstable characteristic and the failure detection alarm is generated. 
       FIG. 11  shows a case where the VTM characteristic is changed from monotone decreasing to monotone increasing (i.e., polarity of a partial average slope is reversed). Conversely,  FIG. 12  shows a case where the VTM characteristic is changed from monotone increasing to monotone decreasing. In the examples of  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 , the sensitivity of the TuMR with respect to the Vb has been changed. Thus, also in these cases, there is a possibility that the head is determined to have unstable characteristic and the failure detection alarm is generated. 
     As described above, the initial characteristic of the TuMR head is measured and, after a given time period has elapsed, the characteristic thereof is measured once again. In the case where the initial characteristic has been changed by a degree exceeding a given allowance, it is possible to recognize that the sensitivity of the head is changed. 
     In such a case, it can be determined that any failure has occurred in the characteristic of the head and, accordingly, it can be considered that there is a problem in reliability of the head. Therefore, it seems unlikely that the head whose sensitivity characteristic has been changed will be workable, so that the relevant head is determined to be treated as a defective one. 
     Further, even after product shipment, the failure detection alarm is generated if failure has occurred. This enables early replacement of the defective head. As described above, action on the head whose characteristic has been changed can be taken before product shipment, as well as, the characteristic change can be detected at an early stage even after product shipment, thereby providing a magnetic disk drive having high reliability. 
     Although a magnetic disk drive is used in the above embodiment, it goes without saying that the present invention is also applicable to a disk drive other than the magnetic disk drive, such as a flexible disk drive or magneto-optical disk drive. 
     Further, when a program that allows a computer to execute the above operation steps shown in the flowcharts of the embodiment, a failure detection program of the present invention can be provided. By storing this failure detection program in a computer-readable storage medium, it is possible to allow the computer to execute the program. The computer mentioned here includes: a host device such as a personal computer, a controller for a test apparatus, and a controller such as MPU or CPU of a storage apparatus. The computer-readable medium mentioned here includes: a portable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, a DVD disk, a magneto-optical disk, or an IC card; a database that holds computer program; another computer and database thereof; and a transmission medium on a network line.