Method and apparatus for improved read-to-write transition time for a magneto-resistive head

A write channel of a magnetic head controller comprising:

• a data channel coupled to receive write data and a control signal and coupled to start a timer upon receipt of the control signal, wherein the data channel transmits the write data upon expiration of the timer;
• a detector coupled to detect the write data and coupled to provide a write control signal after detecting the write data;
• and
• an amplifier coupled to receive the write control signal and the write data and coupled to convert the write data into a magnetic head signal in response to the write control signal.

A write channel of a magnetic head controller, comprising:

• a data channel means coupled to receive write data and a control signal and coupled to start a timer upon receipt of the control signal, wherein the data channel means transmits the write data upon expiration of the timer;
• a detector means coupled to detect the write data and coupled to provide a write control signal after detecting the write data;
• and
• an amplifier means coupled to receive the write control signal and the write data and coupled to convert the write data into a magnetic head signal in response to the write control signal.

A method of operating a write channel of a magnetic head controller comprising:

• establishing a write stabilization period while remaining in a read mode of operation;
• transmitting write data when the stabilization period expires;
• detecting the write data to cancel the read mode of operation;
• and
• converting the write data to a magnetic head flux signal in response to detecting the transmitted write data.

An article of manufacture comprising a program storage medium readable by a computer, the medium tangibly embodying one or more programs of instructions executable by the computer to perform a method of operating a write channel of a magnetic head controller, the method comprising:

• establishing a write stabilization period while remaining in a read mode of operation;
• transmitting write data when the stabilization period expires;
• detecting the write data to cancel the read mode of operation;
• and
• converting the write data to a magnetic head flux signal in response to detecting the transmitted write data.