Testing system with differing testing slots

A testing environment may have at least one controller connected to at least first and second testing slots positioned in a housing. The first testing slot can be configured with a first thermal range capability and the second testing slot may be configured with a second thermal range capability that differs from the first thermal range capability.

SUMMARY

A testing system, in accordance with some embodiments, has at least one controller connected to at least first and second testing slots positioned in a housing. The first testing slot is configured with a first thermal range capability and the second testing slot is configured with a second thermal range capability that differs from the first thermal range capability.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The proliferation of digital content and consumer use of mobile computing devices has emphasized the speed and capacity of data storage systems. Advancements in data storage devices, such as hard disk drives, have followed such emphasis by increasing data bit areal density while minimizing the physical dimensions of data accessing components. Reduced physical size of moving and stationary data storage components can be difficult to properly fabricate, assemble, and align in a manner that manufactures a data storage device with high data access accuracy and performance. While various testing mechanisms can test some aspects of data storage device performance, such testing mechanisms are laborious, time consuming, and costly. Hence, data storage device testing is a bottleneck for the implementation of electrical components with reduced physical size that can optimize data storage capacity and data access performance.

Accordingly, a testing environment may have at least one controller connected to at least first and second testing slots positioned in a housing with the first testing slot configured with a first thermal range capability and the second testing slot configured with a second thermal range capability that differs from the first thermal range capability. The ability to utilize different testing slots allows the testing environment to provide a balance between thermal testing capabilities and testing capacity for a testing environment. The use of different testing slots further allows construction, maintenance, and modification costs associated with the testing environment to be reduced as unutilized and underutilized testing capabilities are eliminated from the various testing slots.

FIG. 1generally displays a block representation of an example testing system100that may be constructed and operated in accordance with various embodiments. The testing system100can have one or more racks102that each have at least one rack controller104connected to a plurality of separate electronic devices106, such as a data storage device, via testing slots arranged in the rack102. The rack controller104can direct the execution of one or more test patterns to the respective electronic devices106concurrently, successively, and asynchronously to identify potential defects and irregularities in the various devices106.

The rack controller104can conduct testing patterns locally and in combination with a remote host108over a wired and/or wireless network110. The ability to connect the rack102and rack controller104to a remote host108allows for real-time testing modifications and monitoring that can be utilized in concert with testing information from other racks to provide a predetermined electronic device throughput. That is, the remote host108may simultaneously dictate testing commands, like initiate test, terminate test, and remove device from the rack102, in a choreographed manner so that electronic devices are sequentially ready for removal and installation instead of a large number of testing slots being idle.

FIG. 2shows a block representation of an example testing slot120that is capable of being used in the testing system100ofFIG. 1in accordance with some embodiments. The testing slot120may be have a housing122that partially or completely surrounds a testing interface124that is connected to at least one electronic device126. It should be noted that the type of electronic device126that can engage the testing interface124and be tested is not limited. For example, an electronic device126may be a sensor, printed circuit board assembly (PCBA), hard disk drive, and hybrid data memory device. However, assorted embodiments configure the testing interface124and housing122to engage multiple data storage devices126.

An electronic device126can be constructed and operated in an unlimited variety of manners, but can comprise at least a data storage medium128that rotates about a spindle130to engage an actuating assembly132across a created air bearing. Motion of the spindle130and actuating assembly132can be handled by one or more local controllers134that communicate through a wired and/or wireless connections to the testing interface124to conduct various testing protocol, such as data bit reading, programming, and error correction. The testing interface124can be configured to conduct the testing protocol for the data storage device126in combination with conducting various tests itself. For example, the testing interface124can return operational data, such a temperature, humidity, vibration, and electrical draw.

While the testing interface124can be configured with an unlimited number of sensors, circuits, and controllers to test and return various operational data, such testing characteristics can be expensive in terms of testing interface124production cost and physical size.FIG. 3illustrates an isometric block representation of an example testing slot140configured in accordance with assorted embodiments to have a data storage device142physically engaging a testing interface144within a testing housing146. It should be noted that the testing housing146and interface144can be constructed to accommodate a horizontal data storage device142orientation, as displayed by segmented box148. In yet, the vertical device orientation shown by the solid lines of device142can be used with or without any number of housing146alignment features, such as grooves, notches, and sloped surfaces, which can aid in the accuracy and efficiency of a human or robot connecting and disconnecting the data storage device142with the testing interface144.

The orientation of the data storage device142with the testing interface144and housing146can be a function of the device's dimensions, like its width150and height152. That is, the width150or height152of the data storage device142may be less than the width154of the case146and dictate the vertical orientation shown inFIG. 3. Various embodiments configure the housing146with dimensions directed at optimizing testing conditions, like air flow, temperature retention, temperature dissipation, and vibration reduction. However, the dimensions and configuration of the housing146can correspond to the physical dimensions of the testing interface144. It has been found that a testing interface144with a variety of testing capabilities, such as temperature monitoring, can increase the width156of the testing interface, which can consequently increase the width154of the housing146.

The heightened testing capabilities of a testing slot140with increased electronic capabilities, such as an ability to cycle to a greater thermal range, can justify the greater housing width154and cost of the testing interface144in some situations. Although, it is contemplated that not all testing slots in a rack fully utilize the testing capabilities of a testing interface144with heightened thermal range capability. Hence, a data storage device testing system can be configured with testing slots having different testing interfaces, device thermal cycling range capabilities, and physical dimensions that optimize testing system cost while increasing testing capacity.

FIG. 4is a block representation of a portion of an example testing rack160constructed and operated in accordance with various embodiments. The testing rack160can have an overall housing162that is separated into any number of sealed or unsealed compartments where testing slots164are positioned into rows166and columns168. While the entire testing rack160can be configured to heat and cool testing slots164individually or collectively, the non-limiting embodiment shown inFIG. 4illustrates an insulated hot chamber170and a cool chamber172that respectively are separated to maintain different temperatures in the respective chambers170and172.

Separation of the housing162into the chambers170and172can coincide with the use of differently configured testing slots164and different thermal production capabilities. For example, the cold chamber172can have at least one chiller element, like flowing air or a liquid chiller, while the hot chamber170employs one or more heating and cooling elements, such as the testing slots164themselves, that can selectively adjust the temperature of the hot chamber170to a predetermined thermal range, such as above 30° C., below 30° C., or a 19° C. difference in hot and cold testing temperatures. Assorted embodiments populate the hot chamber170with a hot testing slot174that has a hot width176and a testing interface capable of measuring, monitoring, and returning the temperature of the testing slot174to a rack controller.

The various hot testing slots174can be subjected to elevated temperatures, as dictated by the rack controller activating a heater for the hot chamber170as a whole and potentially heaters in each hot testing slot174. As such, the various hot testing slots174can be maintained at similar or dissimilar elevated temperatures, such as above 40° C., which may be controlled passively by tuning the lateral separation distance178between hot testing slots174. The increased cost, space, and complexity of the hot chamber170is contrasted by the cold testing slots180that have a smaller cold width182, lateral separation distance184, and thermal range capability compared to the hot chamber170.

The reduced cold widths182can be specifically due to each cold testing slot180being temperature agnostic by having a testing interface without one or more testing capabilities that the hot testing slots174have, such as temperature sensors that correspond with a reduced thermal range. The elimination of testing capabilities from the testing interfaces of the respective cold testing slots180can thereby reduce production cost and cold width182that allows more cold testing slots180, such as a 9:1 ratio of cold180to hot174testing slots, to be fit in the housing162. That is, using testing slots with smaller widths can increase the testing capacity of the testing rack160compared to if the entire system was populated with the wider hot testing slots174.

FIG. 5displays a block representation of a portion of an example testing rack190constructed and operated in accordance with assorted embodiments. The testing rack190has a combination of hot192and cold194chambers that are respectively maintained at different temperatures, as shown. While not limiting, it is contemplated to tune the number of respective hot and cold chambers192and194to provide hot and cold thermal cycling that corresponds to elevated data storage device throughput. That is, the number of hot testing slots196are selected to maintain a predetermined data storage device testing throughput. In some embodiments, the physical size of the hot chamber192and number of hot testing slots196are tuned so that less than all of the testing slots of the rack190are thermally cycled, such as between temperatures of 30-45° C., but a sufficient number of data storage devices are cycled to subsequently populate the cold testing slots198and finalize testing routines at greater than a minimum testing rate, such as 100 drives an hour.

It can be appreciated that the data storage devices can be moved, either by human or by robot200, between the hot192and cold194chambers before and during a predetermined testing routine to provide a range of testing environments. Such data storage device movement can be tuned to optimize the use of the respective hot192and cold194chambers without increasing the overall testing time for the data storage device compared to the data storage device remaining in a single testing slot for thermal cycling and other testing conditions. For example, some data storage devices may be thermally cycled in the hot chamber192before being moved to the cold chamber194while other data storage devices are thermally cycled in the hot chamber192after cold chamber194testing operations are conducted.

The thermal cycling in the hot chamber192may coincide with heating and cooling means that can operate throughout the chamber192, within a hot testing slot196, or both to allow the respective testing slots196to be at different temperatures, as shown. The heating and cooling means of the hot chamber194can increase complexity and cost of the testing rack190. In contrast, the cold chamber194has a smaller thermal range capability that corresponds with minimal temperature control and complexity, which may have collective convective cooling across the cold testing slots198exclusively in some embodiments. With the temperature control and a wider range of possible temperatures in the hot chamber194, data storage devices can be moved between hot testing slots196as part of an overall testing routine.

The ability to provide different temperatures both between the hot192and cold194chambers and between the hot testing slots196can complement asynchronous testing of data storage devices, as dictated by one or more local and remote rack controllers. For clarity, a synchronous testing routine would populate some or all of the testing slots of the testing rack190before initiating a testing routine and subsequently ending the testing routine for all populated slots. A synchronous testing routine can be inefficient as time is wasted during the loading and unloading of the various data storage devices. Furthermore, synchronous testing inherently has all testing slots with the same capabilities to allow the same testing conditions to be present for all devices under test, which can be complex and wasteful as thermal cycling can comprise less than a third of an overall testing routine that can last 150 hours or more.

Accordingly, the dissimilar testing slots196and198in combination with the dissimilar chambers192and194can provide a full range of testing capabilities as well as the ability to asynchronously test data storage devices to maximize testing efficiency. The non-limiting example embodiment shown inFIG. 5illustrates how each testing slot is at a different progression through a testing routine. It is contemplated that a common testing routine is applied to each data storage device upon engagement with a testing slot, but various embodiments utilize multiple different testing routines that adapt to previously logged test results and test times to optimize testing performance and efficiency.

In assorted embodiments, the testing routines are configured with respect to the speed with which the robot200can load and unload data storage devices. That is, the testing routines are conducted so that the time between different data storage devices finishing respective testing routines coincides with the amount of time it takes the robot200to unload the tested device and load a different device, which may or may not have undergone previous testing in another portion of the testing rack190. With the ability to utilize different testing routines, testing slot temperatures, and testing progressions at any given time, the testing rack190can be continually testing data storage devices with optimizes efficiency that is complemented by the increased number of cold testing slots198available due to the reduced width of the cold testing slots198due to the constituent testing interfaces not having temperature sensors as a result of the cold chamber194merely having convective cooling capabilities.

While the testing efficiency of the testing rack190can be optimized through the use of dissimilar testing slots, routines, and chambers in combination with asynchronous testing schedules, excess amounts of energy can be consumed through inefficient heating and cooling of the hot chamber194. Such inefficiency can be counteracted by the example testing rack210ofFIG. 6, which is configured in accordance with various embodiments to utilize the rising nature of heat to minimize the amount of energy consumed and the time associated with altering the hot chamber212to hot and cold predetermined testing temperatures.

As displayed, the testing rack210is separated roughly into thirds with the hot chamber212disposed between first214and second216cold chambers that have only convective cooling capabilities and thinner non-temperature sensing cold testing slots218. The hot chamber212may be positioned anywhere within the testing rack210, but can take advantage of heat produced from the cold testing slots218, as well as the heat from lower hot testing slots220, by sloping the hot chamber sidewalls222to funnel heat upwards along the Y axis. The tuned sidewall222slope can reduce the amount of chamber212and individual testing slot220heating and cooling that is needed to transition the respective testing slots220between predetermined hot and cold testing temperatures.

It can be appreciated that the pyramid configuration of the hot chamber212shown inFIG. 6is not required or limiting, but can accumulate heat from the operation of data storage devices below towards the hot testing slots220near the top of the rack210. Such accumulation of heat may reduce the amount of energy necessary to bring the hot testing slots220to an elevated temperature. Likewise, the focusing of heat upwards can aid in removing heat from the hot chamber212with fans, such as by directing cooling air from the bottom of the rack210to the top to reach a lowered testing temperature more efficiently than if the sidewalls222were not sloped to funnel heat. With the ability to tune the shape and size of the hot chamber212, the energy consumption of the testing rack210can be optimized to complement the enhanced rack capacity, cost, and testing capabilities provided by housing multiple testing slots with different testing capabilities in the testing rack210.

The diverse variety of testing slots and thermal testing range capabilities can be managed by one or more rack controllers in an unlimited number of manners to provide optimized testing of a plethora of data storage devices that may be different memory types, capacities, and speeds.FIG. 7is an example data storage device testing routine230that can be carried out in accordance with various embodiments to provide optimize data storage device testing within one or more testing racks. While not limiting or required, step232may begin routine230by configuring at least one testing rack with a predetermined ratio of hot and cold chambers, such as 60-90% of the total testing slots being temperature agnostic testing slots, which respectively have testing slots with dissimilar testing capabilities and physical dimensions. The size, shape, and number of testing slots for the respective hot and cold chambers can be tuned, in some embodiments, to optimize testing rack capacity, efficiency, and performance.

The presence of the testing rack populated with testing slots having different testing interfaces that results in dissimilar testing capabilities and physical widths allows one or more local and remote rack controllers to map actual, possible, and alternative testing routines in step234that selectively utilize the hot and cold testing slots. That is, step234can assess the number of available cold and hot testing slots and generate testing routines that may or may not choreograph the movement of data storage devices between chambers and testing slots. Step234may further create contingency testing routines that are triggered upon an anticipated situation, such as a failed device test, power outage, testing slot failure, and loss of temperature control.

For instance, a primary testing routine can dictate an incoming data storage device's chamber, testing slot, progression of tests, such as vibration, temperature, and data access tests, and predicted time of completion that involves the relocation of the data storage device from the cold to the hot chamber while a contingency testing routine alternatively keeps the data storage device in a single testing slot and schedules the next available hot testing slot so the device can be thermally cycled. The generation of multiple different testing routines in step234prior to loading data storage devices into the testing rack can allow a rack controller to adapt to changing conditions, like replacement of a testing slot, without having to bring the entire testing rack offline.

The proactive mapping of testing routines in step234can lead the way for robotic loading of a first data storage device in a predetermined testing slot and initiation of a testing routine in step236before other data storage devices are successively loaded and engaged with respective testing routines in step238. Through the sequential loading and testing of data storage devices in steps236and238, asynchronous device testing can be conducted that may or may not involve different testing routines, testing temperatures, and testing durations. As discussed above, the cold chamber can exclusively be equipped with convective cooling fans that continually or sporadically operate to passively keep cold testing slots below an overheating threshold. In contrast, the hot chamber is equipped with means of heating and cooling the chamber as a whole and, in some embodiments, as individual hot testing slots. Hence, some embodiments wait until the hot chamber is populated with a predetermined number of data storage devices, such as half-full or completely full, before adjusting temperature in the chamber in combination with heating of individual hot testing slots with a heating element, such as a resistive coil. Such provision can allow for thermal cycling in the hot chamber that is both energy and time efficient.

Decision240follows such provision by evaluating if the hot chamber has reached a predetermined occupancy of data storage devices being tested or loaded into testing slots awaiting testing. In the event the hot chamber is not filled with enough data storage devices to begin controlling the temperature of the chamber, step242can conduct non-thermal cycling testing with hot testing slots in the hot chamber. Assorted embodiments conduct thermal cycling in less than all the hot testing slots of the hot chamber and without controlling the temperature of the entire hot chamber by utilizing individual testing slot heating and cooling means. In other words, step242may be conducted on some testing slots of the hot chamber while other hot testing slots individually alter temperature within the respective testing slots to thermally cycle and test less than all the data storage devices populating the hot chamber.

The ability to conduct non-thermal cycling testing as well as localize thermal cycling can allow a rack controller to optimize testing as various hot chamber and hot testing slot capabilities can be utilized to provide accurate and efficient data storage device testing. Step242may further be involved in the movement of data storage devices to the hot chamber from the cold chamber to reach the predetermined threshold population determined in decision240. Thus, decision244evaluates if one or more data storage devices are to be moved. Step246proceeds to relocate at least one data storage device to the hot chamber if decision244determines a device can or should be moved. The relocation of a data storage device, in various embodiments, may coincide with the rack controller switching to an alternate or contingency testing routine mapped in step234, but such is not required.

At the conclusion of step246or if decision244chooses not to move a data storage device to the hot chamber, decision240is revisited to determine if overall hot chamber thermal cycling can be conducted. A hot chamber device population above the predetermined threshold advances routine230to step248where temperature in the hot chamber is altered between a given range, such as 30-45° C., before, during, and after one or more data storage tests, such as fly height adjustment and microactuator tuning, are conducted. It is contemplated that the thermal cycling testing begins or concludes the overall testing scheme for a particular data storage device. As such, step248may conduct non-thermal cycling testing, which may be similar or dissimilar to the testing of step242, or the data storage device may be relocated to the cold chamber to finalize testing while opening up a hot testing slot for thermal cycling of the next data storage device.

In the event step248concludes data storage device testing, as dictated by the testing routine mapped in step234, step250can then remove the data storage device after termination of the testing routine. It should be noted that step250may be executed upon termination of a testing routine for various reasons, such as device failure and testing slot malfunction. Regardless of the reason for step250removing a data storage device from the testing rack, the rack controller can next initiate the installation and testing of another data storage device.

It can be appreciated that routine230allows for a variety of different testing operations that are configured macroscopically and microscopically to provide optimized testing of large numbers of data storage devices. It should be noted, however, that the steps and decisions shown inFIG. 7are not required or limiting as the routine230can be changed with various aspects being added, removed, and changed. For example, the routine230may proceed immediately to step250after a device is loaded into a cold testing slot in step236and subsequently tested without thermal cycling.

Through the assorted embodiment, one or more data storage devices can be tested in a testing rack that is configured to optimize the device undergoing a number of different evaluations, such as vibration, temperature, and bit error rate. The ability to utilize different testing rack chambers corresponding to testing slots with different widths allows increased data storage device capacity in the rack along with a diverse variety of testing options relating to the different chambers. The utilization of a rack controller to generate testing routines and execute those routines at will allows the testing rack to adapt to changing environmental and operational conditions without degrading data testing performance or tested device throughput. Additionally, the use of testing slots with dissimilar testing capabilities can reduce the production, energy consumption, and maintenance costs associated with the testing rack.

In some embodiments, 80% of the slots are low cost and temperature agnostic because they do not have the capability to set a specific temperature. The slots can provide a heat exchange using chilled water that a fan blows air across to provide cooling, but only sufficient to insure the drive does not exceed the max temperature of the product specification and limits temperature variability. In other embodiments, 20% of the slots have high thermal control capability that provides the ability to select a specific temperature from across a hot to cool temperate range, achieve and regulate that temperature. The slot includes one or more heating elements for heat and a heat exchange using chilled water for cooling. There can be a programmable fan and mechanism that controls the air flow across the heating element and/or the cooling element to provide cool or warm air across the drive to achieve the temperature control as desired.

It will be appreciated that the technology described above can readily be utilized in any number of applications, including solid-state memory. It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics of various embodiments of the present disclosure have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of various embodiments, this detailed description is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of structure and arrangements of parts within the principles of the present technology to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. For example, the particular elements may vary depending on the particular application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.