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:
Nov. 23, 2004
Filed:
Jun. 28, 2002
Eng Hock Lim, Singapore, SG;
Khai Sheng Ng, Singapore, SG;
Fong Kheon Chong, Singapore, SG;
Chew Weng Khin Victor, Singapore, SG;
Myint Ngwe, Singapore, SG;
Seagate Technology LLC, Scotts Valley, CA (US);
Abstract
A magnetoresistive element measurement circuit configured for measuring resistance of a magnetoresistive element biased by a current source is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the measurement circuit includes the magnetoresistive element, a current source providing a fixed current to the magnetoresistive element, at least one current bypass switch controllingly engaging a measurement resistor in an electrical parallel configuration with the biased magnetoresistive element, and an analogue voltage detector measuring voltage first across the biased magnetoresistive element and then across the biased magnetoresistive element in electrical parallel communication with the measurement resistor. The measured voltages are factored with the measurement resistor to determine the resistance of the magnetoresistive element. The determined resistance is compared to a resistance range, if within the range the magnetoresistive element is in an operative state, if outside the range the magnetoresistive element is in a non-operative state.