Spectral noise analysis for read head structures

摘要

A testing device tests a magnetic head with a read head structure including a read head element while applying an external magnetic field to the magnetic head. The testing device receives signals from the read head element and processes the signals to generate a spectral power density for the signals. The spectral power density is characterized for at least one frequency range. The characterization of the spectral power density is used to determine a characteristic of noise from the read head structure. The signals from the read head may be received with different applied magnetic fields and/or before or while thermally exciting the magnetic head. Additionally, a histogram of the signals may be generated and used to determine a second characteristic of the noise.

主权项

1. A method of testing a magnetic head with a read head structure including a read head element, the method comprising:
applying an external magnetic field to the magnetic head; receiving signals from the read head element while in the external magnetic field; processing the signals comprising splitting the signals into a plurality of segments and multiplying each segment by a window function to produce a plurality of windowed segmented signals and processing the plurality of windowed segmented signals to generate a spectral power density for the signals; characterizing the spectral power density for at least one frequency range; and using the characterization of the spectral power density to determine a characteristic of noise from the read head structure.