System for identifying surface conditions of a moving medium

A system for identifying surface conditions of a medium moving relative to a head, comprising:

• an input node for receiving an input signal, the input signal being primarily representative of a thermal environment over the medium monitored by said head;
• a first processing path coupled to the input node for determining whether the input signal received therefrom meets a first criteria, the first criteria corresponding to a first type of surface disturbance on the medium, wherein the first processing path provides an active first signal indicative of the input signal rising above/falling below a first reference level comprising said first criteria, the first processing path including:
• a first comparator coupled to the input node for receiving the input signal therefrom, the first comparator for comprising the input signal to the first reference level, and
• a first pulse generator, triggered by the first comparator, for providing the active first signal;
• and
• a second processing path coupled to the input node for determining whether the input signal received therefrom meets a second criteria, the second criteria corresponding to a second type of surface disturbance on the medium, wherein the second processing path provides an active second signal indicative of the input signal falling below/rising above a second reference level comprising said second criteria, the second processing path including:
• a second comparator coupled to the input node for receiving the input signal therefrom, the second comparator for comparing the input signal to the second reference level, and
• a second pulse generator, triggered by the second comparator, for providing the active second signal.