US5889784A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Predictive failure detection for data storage systems
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1996-02-05
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Granted: 1999-03-30
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Expires: 2016-02-05
Abstract
Abstract A method of predictive failure detection for a data storage system comprises (a) determining a first mean squared error (MSE) value for a read operation wherein the MSE value is indicative of a signal to noise ratio of the read operation, (b) determining a second MSE value for a read operation, and (c) comparing the first and second MSE values wherein a difference in the MSE values indicates a change in the data storage system. The MSE values are directly related to the distance between the storage medium and the read head element used in the read operation. A significant change in MSE values or a trend of increasing MSE values over time indicates a probable impending failure of the data storage system.
Inventors
- 👤 Uri Rogers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:10
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B19/00; G11B19/02; G11B19/04; G11B20/00; G11B20/10; G11B20/18; G11B20/1816; G11B27/00; G11B27/36; G11B33/00; G11B33/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of predictive failure detection for a data storage system having at least one storage medium, the method comprising: (a) determining a first mean squared error (MSE) value for a first read operation from the at least one storage medium wherein the MSE value is indicative of a signal to noise ratio of the read operation; (b) determining a second MSE value for a second read operation; and, (c) comparing the first and second MSE values wherein a difference in the MSE values indicates a change in the data storage system.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of predictive failure detection for a data storage system having at least one storage medium, the method comprising: (a) determining a first mean squared error (MSE) value for a first read operation from the at least one storage medium wherein the MSE value is indicative of a signal to noise ratio of the read operation; (b) determining a second MSE value for a second read operation; and, (c) comparing the first and second MSE values wherein a difference in the MSE values indicates a change in the data storage system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the data storage system includes a plurality of read heads and wherein steps (a), (b), and (c) are repeated for each read head.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 further including: storing the first MSE value as a default value in a nonvolatile memory.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the difference in the MSE values indicates a change in signal strength, noise, or both signal strength and noise.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a significant difference in the MSE values indicates a potential for failure of the data storage system, the significant difference being measured relative to a predetermined threshold value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the significant difference is an increase of two or more orders of equivalent Bit Error Rate (BER).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 5 further including, upon detection of a significant difference in MSE values: (a) determining at least a third MSE value for at least a third read operation and, (b) comparing the second and at least third MSE values wherein a similarity in the MSE values indicates a need for field tuning of the data storage system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 7 further including: if the second and third MSE values are similar, storing the first MSE value to a trace log and storing the second MSE value as a default value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 8 further including: storing the trace log to a nonvolatile memory which may be accessed even though the data storage system has failed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the nonvolatile memory is an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) or a flash memory.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 8 further including: repeating the steps of claims 1, 5, 7 and 8, such that a plurality of MSE values are stored in the trace log, and wherein a trend of increasing MSE values in the trace log indicates a probable impending failure of the data storage system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 further including: (a) performing a bit error rate (BER) analysis and, (b) comparing the BER to a threshold value wherein the BER being above the threshold value indicates a probable impending failure of the data storage system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 1 further including: (a) determining the first MSE value from a reserved location on the at least one storage medium; (b) writing to the reserved location; (c) determining the second MSE value from the reserved location; and, (d) comparing the first and second MSE values wherein an increase in the second MSE value over the first MSE value indicates a probable writing fault.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first MSE value is determined by reading a default MSE value.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein each MSE value is determined by normalizing a path metric produced during the respective read using sequence detection.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of predictive failure detection for a data storage system having at least one storage medium, the method comprising: (a) determining a mean squared error (MSE) value for a read operation from the at least one storage medium wherein the MSE value is indicative of a signal to noise ratio of the read operation; and, (b) comparing the MSE value to a threshold value wherein the MSE value exceeding the threshold value indicates a probable impending failure of the data storage system.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of predictive failure detection for a data storage system having at least one storage medium, the method comprising: (a) determining a mean squared error (MSE) value for a read operation from the at least one storage medium wherein the MSE value is indicative of a signal to noise ratio of the read operation; and, (b) comparing the MSE value to a threshold value wherein the MSE value exceeding the threshold value indicates a probable impending failure of the data storage system.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
101 words
A system for predictive failure detection in a data storage system having at least one storage medium, the predictive failure detection system comprising: (a) means for determining a first mean squared error (MSE) value for a first read operation from the at least one storage medium wherein the MSE value is indicative of a signal to noise ratio of the read operation; (b) means for determining a second MSE value for a second read operation; and, (c) means for comparing the first and second MSE values wherein a difference in the MSE values indicates a change in the data storage system.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
101 words
A system for predictive failure detection in a data storage system having at least one storage medium, the predictive failure detection system comprising: (a) means for determining a first mean squared error (MSE) value for a first read operation from the at least one storage medium wherein the MSE value is indicative of a signal to noise ratio of the read operation; (b) means for determining a second MSE value for a second read operation; and, (c) means for comparing the first and second MSE values wherein a difference in the MSE values indicates a change in the data storage system.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 17 further including: (a) means for performing a bit error rate (BER) analysis and, (b) means for comparing the BER to a threshold value wherein the BER being above the threshold value indicates a probable impending failure of the data storage system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 17 further including: (a) means for determining at least a third MSE value for at least a third read operation; and, (b) means for comparing the second and at least third MSE values wherein a similarity in the MSE values indicates a need for field tuning of the data storage system.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
75 words
The system of claim 17 further including: (a) means for determining the first MSE value from a reserved location on the at least one storage medium; (b) means for writing to the reserved location; (c) means for determining the second MSE value from the reserved location; and, (d) means for comparing the first and second MSE values wherein an increase in the second MSE value over the first MSE value indicates a probable writing fault.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-03-29 | 2002-09-28 | 2003-03-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-29 | 2006-09-28 | 2007-03-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-29 | 2010-09-28 | 2011-03-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |