Open write-head-cable test method and detector

• Main Authors: DAHLE JACOB L, TRETTER LARRY L
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 01.06.2010
• Subjects: INFORMATION STORAGE; INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORDCARRIER AND TRANSDUCER; PHYSICS

A storage drive implements a method for operating the storage drive between a plurality of operational modes. For a test mode of the storage drive, a write current driver circuit and a test current sensor are electrically connected to the write head, wherein the test current sensor generates a sense signal indicative of a degree of a flow of a test current through the write head to thereby facilitate a detection of any presence of an open write condition of the storage drive (i.e., any impedance condition impeding a flow of a write current through the write head). For a write mode of the storage drive, the write current driver circuit is electrically connected to the write head and the test current sensor is electrically disconnected from the write head, wherein the write head records data on a magnetic media based on a flow of the write current through the write head.