Virtual disk drive architecture

摘要

Virtual disk drive architecture. A novel approach is presented by which a virtual design system allows for the design, development, and testing of memory storage devices including hard disk drives (HDDs). A virtual disk drive architecture allows for the implementation and emulation of a full HDD system. All of the pieces of the HDD system (e.g., including both the read channel and the controller functionalities) are included and implemented to allow a designer to develop and test certain portions within the system. In some embodiments, one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) are employed to implement a hard drive (HD) controller in an all digital implementation. Various combinations including circuit boards and FPGAs can be employed to emulate an entire HDD system. In even other embodiments, one or more sockets, and appropriate interfacing, are included to allow the testing of actual chips within the virtual disk drive architecture.