Systems and methods for data throttling during disk drive power down

摘要

Some embodiments of the invention are directed to a data storage system that includes a disk and solid-state non-volatile memory (NVM). During a power failure, the data storage system may use back EMF (BEMF) voltage from the spindle motor of the disk to park the heads of the disk and/or store data in the NVM. In one embodiment, a demand regulation circuit regulates loads that use voltage generated from the BEMF. The demand regulation circuit may be used to selectively cause a controller to adjust the rate of programming to the NVM in order to reduce the load. For example, the demand regulation circuit may assert a throttle signal to the controller upon detecting that the voltage generated from the BEMF is below a certain threshold. Programming rate may be throttled, programming cycles may be staggered, and/or programming time may be lengthened. Throttling may enable the use of smaller circuitry.

主权项

1. A data storage device comprising:
a spindle motor configured to generate a back EMF (BEMF) voltage; a power circuit configured to generate an internal supply voltage using the BEMF; solid-state memory; a controller configured to execute data operations in the solid-state memory in the event of a power failure; and a demand regulation circuit configured to provide a throttle signal to the controller in response to detecting that the internal supply voltage has fallen below a predetermined level; wherein the throttle signal causes the controller to reduce power usage.