Formatting disk drive data using format field elements

An apparatus that is operable to generate format field elements (FFEs) for use in operating a hard disk drive (HDD), the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of data formatting modules;
• a plurality of first-in-first-out (FIFO) buffers such that each FIFO buffer is coupled to one data formatting module;
• a processing module;
• and
• a memory, coupled to the processing module, that is operable to store operational instructions that enable the processing module to:
• generate a plurality of FFEs that includes a first FFE, a second FFE, a third FFE, and a fourth FFE, wherein:
• the first FFE and the second FFE are provided from a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) processor to a first FIFO buffer of the plurality of FIFO buffers;
• the first FFE and the second FFE are provided successively to a first data formatting module of the plurality of data formatting modules from the first FIFO buffer;
• the third FFE and the fourth FFE are provided from the RISC processor to a second FIFO buffer of the plurality of FIFO buffers;
• the third FFE and the fourth FFE are provided successively to a second data formatting module of the plurality of data formatting modules from the second FIFO buffer;
• the first FFE includes a first parameter by which the first data formatting module of the plurality of data formatting modules operates during a first time and a corresponding opcode within the first FFE indicates a first condition that, when met, transfers operation of the first data formatting module within the HDD to be governed by the second FFE;
• and
• the third FFE includes a second parameter by which the second data formatting module of the plurality of data formatting modules operates during a third time and a corresponding opcode within the third FFE indicates a second condition that, when met, transfers operation of the second data formatting module within the HDD to be governed by the fourth FFE.

A method for generating format field elements (FFEs) for use in operating a hard disk drive (HDD), the method comprising:

• generating a plurality of FFEs that includes a first FFE, a second FFE, a third FFE, and a fourth FFE;
• employing the first FFE to govern operation of a first data formatting module of a plurality of data formatting modules within the HDD during a first time;
• based on a corresponding opcode within the first FFE, detecting a first condition that, when met, transfers operation of the first data formatting module within the HDD to be governed by the second FFE;
• employing the second FFE to govern operation of the first data formatting module of the plurality of data formatting modules within the HDD during a second time;
• employing the third FFE to govern operation of a second data formatting module of the plurality of data formatting modules within the HDD during a third time;
• based on a corresponding opcode within the second FFE, detecting a second condition that, when met, transfers operation of the second data formatting module within the HDD to be governed by the fourth FFE;
• and
• employing the fourth FFE to govern operation of the second data formatting module of the plurality of data formatting modules within the HDD during a fourth time.