Apparatus and methods of generating a test pattern of data, analysing a test pattern of data, and testing a data storage disk medium and/or a read/write head

A method of analysing a test pattern of data read from a data storage disk medium, the method comprising:

• rotating the disk;
• detecting fluctuations in the speed of rotation of the disk;
• producing a reference clock signal in accordance with said fluctuations so as to be synchronised with the rotation of the disk;
• reading a test pattern of data from the disk to provide a test data signal;
• and,
• analysing said test data signal using the reference clock signal as a timing reference.

A method of testing at least one of a data storage disk medium and a read/write head, the method comprising:

• rotating the disk;
• detecting fluctuations in the speed of rotation of the disk;
• producing a reference clock signal in accordance with said fluctuations so as to be synchronised with the rotation of the disk;
• generating a test pattern of data using said reference clock signal as a timing reference;
• writing the test pattern of data to the disk with the head;
• reading the test pattern of data from the disk with the head to provide a test data signal;
• and,
• analysing said test data signal using the reference clock signal as a timing reference.

Apparatus for generating a test pattern of data to be written to a data storage disk medium for testing, the apparatus comprising:

• a spindle for rotating a said disk;
• a detector arranged to detect fluctuations in the speed of rotation of the disk;
• a processor arranged to produce a reference clock signal in accordance with said fluctuations so as to be synchronised with the rotation of the disk;
• and,
• a pattern generator arranged to generate a test pattern of data using said reference clock signal as a timing reference.

Apparatus for analysing a test pattern of data read from a data storage disk medium, the apparatus comprising:

• a spindle for rotating a said disk;
• a detector arranged to detect fluctuations in the speed of rotation of the disk;
• a processor arranged to produce a reference clock signal in accordance with said fluctuations so as to be synchronised with the rotation of the disk;
• a controller arranged to read a test pattern of data from the disk to provide a test data signal;
• and,
• an analyser arranged to analyse the test data signal using the reference clock signal as a timing reference.

Apparatus for testing at least one of a data storage disk medium and a read/write head, the apparatus comprising:

• a spindle for rotating a said disk;
• a detector arranged to detect fluctuations in the speed of rotation of the disk;
• a processor arranged to produce a reference clock signal in accordance with said fluctuations so as to be synchronised with the rotation of the disk;
• a pattern generator arranged to generate a test pattern of data using said reference clock signal as a timing reference;
• a controller arranged to write the test pattern of data to the disk with a said head, and to subsequently read a test data from the disk with the head to provide a test data signal;
• and,
• an analyser arranged to analyse the test data signal using the reference clock signal as a timing reference.