The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 31, 1996
Filed:
Jun. 21, 1995
Bradley K Davis, Meridian, ID (US);
Johannes O Voorman, Geldrop, NL;
Joao N Ramalho, Eindhoven, NL;
Patrice Gamand, Douvres-la-delivrande, FR;
Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Philips Electronics N.V., , NL;
Abstract
A preamplifier circuit for a computer data storage system disk drive read/write head (or HSA) includes multiple test modes to enable electrical testing of the preamplifier, the read/write heads, and associated circuitry without physically probing the components or circuitry. Communication between the preamplifier and a host controller provides for test mode selection and test mode enablement within the preamplifier. Testing occurs using only the normal interface connector to the head disk assembly (HDA) in which the preamplifier and HSA are embodied. Properties such as electrical resistance, ESD, preamplifier bond wire connection integrity, head bond wire and solder joint integrity, and connections from the head slider to the preamplifier leads are all tested. Testing occurs without probing to provide efficient, reliable, and cost effective manufacturing and testing benefits of the read/write heads, flex assembly, HSA, and HDA.