System and method for providing nonadjacent redundancy synchronization bytes

A sync byte detection system for use in a disk drive, comprising:

• a rotatable disk comprising at least one track for storing data in blocks of a predefined format, the data block format comprising a primary sync byte field including a primary sync byte pattern, a secondary sync byte field including a secondary sync byte pattern, and a data field, the primary and secondary sync byte fields being separated by an isolating region comprising at least one byte;
• a transducer;
• means for selectably positioning the transducer in close proximity to the disk;
• a data channel coupled to the transducer and including a sync byte detection circuit for detecting a sync byte pattern in an electrical signal received from the transducer;
• and
• mode selecting means for conditioning the sync byte detection circuit to detect the primary sync byte pattern in a first mode of operation and the secondary sync byte pattern in a second mode of operation.

A magnetic disk drive, comprising:

• a spindle motor assembly;
• a storage disk, rotatably mounted to the spindle motor assembly for storing data in blocks having a predefined format, the data block format comprising a primary sync byte field having a primary sync byte pattern, a secondary sync byte field having a secondary sync byte pattern, and a data field, and wherein the primary and secondary sync byte fields are separated by an isolating region comprising at least one byte;
• an actuator assembly;
• a transducer supported on the actuator assembly in close proximity to the disk for reading the data blocks and producing an electrical signal therefrom;
• means for operably controlling the spindle motor assembly and the actuator assembly;
• a data channel coupled to the transducer for processing the electrical signal, including a sync byte detection circuit for detecting a sync byte pattern in the electrical signal;
• mode selecting means for selectively conditioning the sync byte detection circuit to detect the primary sync byte pattern in a first mode of operation and the secondary sync byte pattern in a second mode of operation;
• means for operably controlling the data channel;
• and
• means for providing the processed data signal to a host device.

A method for detecting a redundant sync byte field in a disk drive, comprising the steps of:

• providing a transducer, a data channel including a sync byte detection circuit, and a rotatable disk having a track with a target data block of a predefined format stored thereon, the target data block format comprising a primary sync byte field including at least one primary sync byte pattern, a secondary sync byte field including at least one secondary sync byte pattern, and a data field, the primary and secondary sync byte fields being separated by an isolating region comprising at least one byte:
• attempting to detect the at least one primary sync byte pattern;
• and
• on failing to detect the at least one primary sync byte pattern, waiting for a first predetermined time, then attempting to read the at least one secondary sync byte pattern.

A data block format for use in a storage device having a transducer, a data channel including means for detecting a sync byte pattern, and a rotatable storage disk, comprising:

• a primary sync byte field;
• a secondary sync byte field;
• a data field;
• and
• a gain adjustment field preceding the primary sync byte field with respect to the transducer when positioned over the rotating disk;
• wherein the gain adjustment field includes the secondary sync byte field;
• and
• wherein the primary and secondary sync byte fields are separated by an isolating region comprising at least one byte.

A data block format for use in a storage device having a transducer, a data channel including means for detecting a sync byte pattern, and a rotatable storage disk, comprising:

• a primary sync byte field;
• a secondary sync byte field;
• and
• a data field, wherein the secondary sync byte field is disposed between a first portion and a second portion of the data field;
• and
• wherein the primary and secondary sync byte fields are separated by an isolating region comprising at least one byte.