Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This present disclosure is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/455,168, filed on Jun. 16, 2006, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/780,550, filed on Mar. 9, 2006. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to hard disk drives (HDDs), and more particularly to HDD integrated circuits (ICs). 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description which may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure. 
         [0004]    Electronic devices such as computers, laptops, personal video recorders (PVRs), MP3 players, game consoles, set-top boxes, digital cameras, and other electronic devices often need to store a large amount of data. Storage devices such as HDDs may be used to meet these storage requirements. 
         [0005]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a HDD  10  includes a hard disk drive assembly (HDA) printed circuit board (PCB)  14 . A buffer module  18  stores data that is associated with the control of the HDD  10 . The buffer module  18  may employ SDRAM or other types of low latency memory. A processor  22  is arranged on the HDA PCB  14  and performs processing that is related to the operation of the HDD  10 . A hard disk drive controller (HDC) module  26  communicates with an input/output interface module  24  and with a spindle/voice coil motor (VCM) driver module  30  and/or a read/write channel module  34 . The input/output interface module can be a serial interface module, a parallel interface module, a serial Advance Technology Attachment (ATA) interface module, a parallel ATA interface module and/or other suitable interface module. 
         [0006]    During write operations, the read/write channel module  34  encodes the data to be written by a read/write device  59 , as described in detail hereinbelow. The read/write channel  34  processes the signal for reliability and may include, for example error correction coding (ECC), run length limited coding (RLL), and the like. During read operations, the read/write channel module  34  converts an analog output of the read/write device  59  to a digital signal. The converted signal is then detected and decoded by known techniques to recover the data written on the hard disk drive. 
         [0007]    A hard drive assembly (HDA)  50  includes one or more hard drive platters  52  that include a magnetic coating that stores magnetic fields. The platters  52  are rotated by a spindle motor  54 . Generally the spindle motor  54  rotates the hard drive platters  52  at a fixed speed during the read/write operations. One or more read/write arms  58  move relative to the platters  52  to read and/or write data to/from the hard drive platters  52 . The spindle/VCM driver  30  controls the spindle motor  54 , which rotates the platter  52 . The spindle/VCM driver  30  also generates control signals that position the read/write arm  58  by using mechanisms such as a voice coil actuator, a stepper motor, or any other suitable actuator. 
         [0008]    A read/write device  59  is located near a distal end of the read/write arm  58 . The read/write device  59  includes a write element such as an inductor that generates a magnetic field. The read/write device  59  also includes a read element (such as a magneto-resistive (MR) element) that senses the magnetic field on the platter  52 . The HDA  50  includes a preamp module  60 , which amplifies analog read/write signals. 
         [0009]    When reading data, the preamp module  60  amplifies low level signals from the read element and outputs the amplified signal to the read/write channel module  34 . While writing data, a write current is generated that flows through the write element of the read/write device  59 . The write current is switched to produce a magnetic field having a positive or negative polarity. The positive or negative polarity is stored by the hard drive platters  52  and is used to represent data. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    In general, in one aspect, this specification describes a system including a network interface module, a first processor, a hard disk control module, and a second processor. The network interface module is configured to communicate with a network. The first processor is configured to (i) communicate with the network interface module, and (ii) perform processing related to communication of a hard disk drive with the network via the network interface module. The hard disk control module is configured to (i) communicate with the first processor, and (ii) control operation of the hard disk drive. The second processor is configured to (i) communicate with the hard disk control module, and (ii) perform processing related to storing data on the hard disk drive. The second processor and the hard disk control module are configured to process packets communicated via the network interface module using a hyper-text transfer protocol, a peer-to-peer sharing protocol, and an Internet protocol-based small computer system interface standard. 
         [0011]    Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the disclosure, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of a hard disk drive (HDD) according to the prior art; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2A  is a functional block diagram of an exemplary HDD according to the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2B  is a functional block diagram of an exemplary wired Ethernet network interface module for the HDD of  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3A  is a functional block diagram of an exemplary wired Ethernet network interface module according to the present disclosure; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3B  is a functional block diagram of an exemplary HDD comprising the wired Ethernet network interface module of  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a functional block diagram of another exemplary HDD according to the present disclosure; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a functional block diagram of an exemplary wired Ethernet network interface module for the HDD of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6A  is a functional block diagram of a high definition television; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6B  is a functional block diagram of a vehicle control system; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6C  is a functional block diagram of a set top box; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 6D  is a functional block diagram of a media player. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. For purposes of clarity, the same reference numbers will be used in the drawings to identify similar elements. As used herein, the term module, circuit and/or device refers to an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A or B or C), using a non-exclusive logical or. It should be understood that steps within a method may be executed in different order without altering the principles of the present disclosure. 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIG. 2A , an exemplary HDD  100  includes a HDD integrated circuit (IC)  114 . The HDC IC  114  may be arranged on a printed circuit board (PCB)  115 . The HDD IC  114  implements a buffer module  118 , a processor  122 , a wireline (i.e., wired) network interface module  124 , and a hard disk drive controller (HDC) module  126 . The HDC module  126  communicates with the wireline network interface module  124 , a spindle/voice coil motor (VCM) driver module  130 , and/or a read/write channel module  134 . 
         [0026]    The wireline network interface module  124  sends and receives packets on a medium as will be described further below. The read/write channel module  134  encodes the write data to be written and decodes read data. By integrating the wireline network interface module  124  with other HDD components on the HDD IC  114 , cost and size of the HDD  100  tends to decrease and performance tends to increase. 
         [0027]    A hard disk drive assembly (HDA)  150  includes one or more hard drive platters  152  that are rotated by a spindle motor  154 . One or more read/write arms  158  move relative to the platters  152  to read and/or write data to/from the hard drive platters  152 . The spindle/VCM driver module  130  controls the spindle motor  154 , which rotates the platter  152 . The spindle/VCM driver module  130  also generates control signals that position the read/write arm  158  by using mechanisms such as a voice coil actuator, a stepper motor, or any other suitable actuator. 
         [0028]    A read/write device  159  is located near a distal end of the read/write arm  158 . The read/write device  159  includes a write element such as an inductor that generates a magnetic field. The read/write device  159  also includes a read element (such as a magneto-resistive (MR) element) that senses the magnetic field on the platter  152 . The HDA  150  includes a preamp module  160 , which amplifies analog read/write signals. 
         [0029]    The wireline network interface module  124  and/or the processor  170  may also support encryption/decryption. An RJ-45 connector  172  may be provided to connect CAT5, CAT6 and/or other suitable cable to the wireline network interface module  124 . The wireline network interface module  124  can be Ethernet compliant and can operate at speeds greater than or equal to 1 Gigabit per second. 
         [0030]    A transformer  174  may likewise be provided to provide suitable supply voltage and current from a power source such as a battery and/or AC supply. Alternately, the HDD  100  can operate using power delivered over the cable. In other words, the HDD  100  can operate as a power-over-Ethernet device. 
         [0031]    The processor  122  and/or a second processor  170  may be provided to perform functions related to the receipt and processing of the packets received from and/or sent to the wireline network interface module  124 . For example, the processors  122  and/or  170  may support http server functionality. The processors  122  and/or  170  may support a peer-to-peer sharing protocol server such as BitTorrent. 
         [0032]    The processors  122  and/or  170  may support Internet Small Computer System Interface module (iSCSI). iSCSI is an Internet Protocol (IP)-based storage networking standard for linking data storage facilities. By carrying SCSI commands over IP networks, iSCSI is used to facilitate data transfers over intranets and to manage storage over long distances. 
         [0033]    When an end user or application sends a request, the operating system generates the appropriate SCSI commands and data request, which then go through encapsulation and, if necessary, encryption procedures. A packet header is added before the resulting IP packets are transmitted over an Ethernet connection. 
         [0034]    When a packet is received, it is decrypted (if it is encrypted before transmission), and disassembled, separating the SCSI commands and request. The SCSI commands are sent on to the SCSI controller, which can be implemented by the HDC module  126 , the processor  122  and/or the processor  170 , and from there to the SCSI storage device. Because iSCSI is bi-directional, the protocol can also be used to return data in response to the original request. 
         [0035]    The peer-to-peer sharing protocol server such as BitTorrent is a content distribution protocol that enables efficient software distribution and peer-to-peer sharing of very large files by enabling users to serve as network redistribution points. Rather than having to send a download to each customer individually, the content is sent to one customer who shares it with other customers. Together the customers share the pieces of the download back and forth until everyone has the complete download. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 2B , an exemplary wireline network interface module  124  for the hard disk drive  100  of  FIG. 2A  is shown. The wireline network interface module  124  can be compliant with IEEE section 802.3ab. The wireline network interface module  124  may include a Gigabit Ethernet network device  198  that operates at speeds greater than or equal to 1 Gb/s and/or 10 Gb/s. The Gigabit Ethernet network device  198  includes a medium access control (MAC) module  200  and a physical layer (PHY) module  202 . The PHY module  202  includes transmitters  204 - 1 ,  204 - 2 , . . . and  204 - 4  (collectively transmitters  204 ) and receivers  206 - 1 ,  206 - 2 , . . . and  206 - 4  (collectively receivers  206 ). Each of the transmitters  204  and receivers  206  may be implemented by transceivers (not shown). 
         [0037]    Transmitters  204  and receivers  206  communicate with hybrids  208 - 1 ,  208 - 2 , . . . and  208 - 4  (collectively hybrids  208 ). Specifically, a transmitter  204 - 1  and a receiver  206 - 1  communicate with a hybrid  208 - 1 . A transmitter  204 - 2  and a receiver  206 - 2  communicate with a hybrid  208 - 2 , etc. The hybrids  208 , in turn, communicate with twisted wire pairs of a cable  209 - 1 , . . . , and  209 - 4  (collectively cable  209 ). An RJ-45 connector  172  may be provided to connect CAT5, CAT6 and/or other suitable cable to the wireline network interface module  124 . 
         [0038]    In some implementations, the hybrids  208  may be implemented separately from (i.e., external to) the wireline network interface module  124 . Referring now to  FIGS. 3A-3B , an exemplary wireline network interface module  124 - 1  for the hard disk drive  100 - 1  of  FIG. 3B  is shown. The wireline network interface module  124 - 1  does not include the hybrids  208 . Instead, a hybrid module  171 , which is separate and apart from the wireline network interface module  124 - 1 , includes the hybrids  208 . 
         [0039]    The wireline network interface module  124 - 1  can be compliant with IEEE section 802.3ab. The wireline network interface module  124 - 1  may include a Gigabit Ethernet network device  198 - 1  that operates at speeds greater than or equal to 1 Gb/s and/or 10 Gb/s. The Gigabit Ethernet network device  198 - 1  includes a medium access control (MAC) module  200  and a physical layer (PHY) module  202 . The PHY module  202  includes transmitters  204 - 1 ,  204 - 2 , . . . and  204 - 4  (collectively transmitters  204 ) and receivers  206 - 1 ,  206 - 2 , . . . and  206 - 4  (collectively receivers  206 ). Each of the transmitters  204  and receivers  206  may be implemented by transceivers (not shown). 
         [0040]    The hybrid module  171  comprises hybrids  208 - 1 ,  208 - 2 , . . . and  208 - 4  (collectively hybrids  208 ). The wireline network interface module  124 - 1  communicates with the hybrid module  171 . That is, transmitters  204  and receivers  206  communicate with hybrids  208 . Specifically, a transmitter  204 - 1  and a receiver  206 - 1  communicate with a hybrid  208 - 1 . A transmitter  204 - 2  and a receiver  206 - 2  communicate with a hybrid  208 - 2 , etc. The hybrids  208 , in turn, communicate with twisted wire pairs of a cable  209 - 1 , . . . , and  209 - 4  (collectively cable  209 ). An RJ-45 connector  172  may be provided to connect CAT5, CAT6 and/or other suitable cable to the hybrid module  171 . 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , another exemplary HDD  150  according to the present disclosure is shown to include an integrated wireless network interface module  224  that sends and receives packets wirelessly. In  FIG. 5 , a functional block diagram of an exemplary integrated wireless network interface module  224  for the HDD  150  of  FIG. 4  is shown. 
         [0042]    The integrated wireless network interface module  224  includes a physical layer (PHY) module  234 , which provides an interface module to the wireless medium via one or more antennas. A medium access control (MAC) module  230  provides an interface module between the PHY module  234  and a host. In this case, the host is the processor  122  and/or  170  and/or the HDC module  126  of the HDD  150 . 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6A-6D  various exemplary implementations of the present disclosure are shown. HDD  100 , HDD  100 - 1 , and HDD  150  are hereinafter collectively referred to as HDD  100   s.  Referring now to  FIG. 6A , the HDD  100 s can be implemented in mass data storage  427  of a high definition television (HDTV)  420 . The HDTV  420  receives HDTV input signals in either a wired or wireless format and generates HDTV output signals for a display  426 . In some implementations, signal processing circuit and/or control circuit  422  and/or other circuits (not shown) of the HDTV  420  may process data, perform coding and/or encryption, perform calculations, format data and/or perform any other type of HDTV processing that may be required. 
         [0044]    The HDTV  420  may communicate with mass data storage  427  that stores data in a nonvolatile manner such as the HDD  100 s. The HDD  100 s may include a mini HDD that includes one or more platters having a diameter that is smaller than approximately 1.8″. The HDTV  420  may be connected to memory  428  such as RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage. The HDTV  420  also may support connections with a WLAN via a WLAN network interface module  429 . 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 6B , the HDD  100 s may be implemented in mass data storage of a vehicle control system. In some implementations, a powertrain control system  432  receives inputs from one or more sensors. The sensors may include temperature sensors, pressure sensors, rotational sensors, airflow sensors and/or any other suitable sensors. The powertrain control system  432  may generate one or more output control signals such as engine operating parameters, transmission operating parameters, and/or other control signals. 
         [0046]    The HDD  100 s may also be implemented in other control systems  440  of the vehicle  430 . The control system  440  may likewise receive signals from input sensors  442  and/or output control signals to one or more output devices  444 . In some implementations, the control system  440  may be part of an anti-lock braking system (ABS), a navigation system, a telematics system, a vehicle telematics system, a lane departure system, an adaptive cruise control system, a vehicle entertainment system such as a stereo, DVD, compact disc and the like. Still other implementations are contemplated. 
         [0047]    The powertrain control system  432  may communicate with mass data storage  446  that stores data in a nonvolatile manner. The mass data storage  446  may include the hard disk drives HDD  100 s. The HDD  100 s may include a mini HDD that includes one or more platters having a diameter that is smaller than approximately 1.8″. The powertrain control system  432  may be connected to memory  447  such as RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage. The powertrain control system  432  also may support connections with a WLAN via a WLAN network interface module  448 . The control system  440  may also include mass data storage, memory and/or a WLAN interface module (all not shown). 
         [0048]    Referring now to  FIG. 6C , the HDD  100 s can be implemented in mass data storage  490  of a set top box  480 . The set top box  480  receives signals from a source such as a broadband source and outputs standard and/or high definition audio/video signals suitable for a display  488  such as a television and/or monitor and/or other video and/or audio output devices. The signal processing and/or control circuits  484  and/or other circuits (not shown) of the set top box  480  may process data, perform coding and/or encryption, perform calculations, format data and/or perform any other set top box function. 
         [0049]    The set top box  480  may communicate with mass data storage  490  that stores data in a nonvolatile manner. The mass data storage  490  may include the HDD  100 s. The HDD  100 s may include a mini HDD that includes one or more platters having a diameter that is smaller than approximately 1.8″. The set top box  480  may be connected to memory  494  such as RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage. The set top box  480  also may support connections with a WLAN via a WLAN network interface module  496 . 
         [0050]    Referring now to  FIG. 6D , the HDD  100 s can be implemented in mass data storage  510  of a media player  500 . In some implementations, the media player  500  includes a display  507  and/or a user input  508  such as a keypad, touchpad and the like. In some implementations, the media player  500  may employ a graphical user interface module (GUI) that typically employs menus, drop down menus, icons and/or a point-and-click interface module via the display  507  and/or user input  508 . The media player  500  further includes an audio output  509  such as a speaker and/or audio output jack. The signal processing and/or control circuits  504  and/or other circuits (not shown) of the media player  500  may process data, perform coding and/or encryption, perform calculations, format data and/or perform any other media player function. 
         [0051]    The media player  500  may communicate with mass data storage  510  that stores data such as compressed audio and/or video content in a nonvolatile manner. In some implementations, the compressed audio files include files that are compliant with MP3 format or other suitable compressed audio and/or video formats. The mass data storage may include the HDD  100 s. The HDD  100 s may include a mini HDD that includes one or more platters having a diameter that is smaller than approximately 1.8″. The media player  500  may be connected to memory  514  such as RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage. The media player  500  also may support connections with a WLAN via a WLAN network interface module  516 . Still other implementations in addition to those described above are contemplated. 
         [0052]    Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes particular examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, the specification and the following claims.

Technology Category: 3