Western Digital Technologies, Inc.

Jack Nguyen

John Thomas Contreras

Albert John Wallash

Satoshi Nakamura

Xinzhi Xing

Antonio Ciccomancini Scogna

Junjia Liu

Disclosed herein are multi-layer metal circuits, such as printed circuit boards (PCBs), with single-sided, partially-shielded, or fully-shielded via-less common-mode filters. The multi-layer metal circuits comprise at least one shield layer, at least one signal trace, and at least one reference layer (e.g., ground). The reference layer comprises a pattern of the via-less common-mode filter. The pattern may comprise, for example, a single piece-wise linear segment, or two or more disjoint and non-intersecting segments (which may be strictly linear or piece-wise linear). The reference layer is electrically isolated from the shield layer, and thus the via-less common-mode filters do not require vias. In addition to being used in PCBs, the disclosed multi-layer metal circuits may also be used in other applications, such as integrated circuits (e.g., implemented in semiconductor chips).

Via-less patterned ground structure common-mode filter

A data storage device is disclosed comprising a base casting forming a housing, wherein components within the housing comprise a first disk, a first head, and a first printed circuit board (PCB) being curved to substantially follow an arc of a first part of a shroud that surrounds at least part of the first disk. The first PCB has mounted thereon a first integrated circuit comprising a first microprocessor configured to actuate the first head over the first disk in order to access the first disk.

Data storage device comprising printed circuit board installed along arc of disk shroud

The present disclosure generally relates to a shielded patterned ground structure in a PCB. The PCB may be disposed in a hard disk drive. Conductive traces in PCBs can have the problem of common mode current flowing through the traces and thus increasing the magnitude of EMI noise. By providing a shielded patterned ground structure, the common mode current is reduced as is the magnitude of EMI noise, yet there is no negative impact to the differential signal.

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Jack Nguyen