Error estimation circuit and method for providing a read channel error signal

摘要

A read channel (18) for use in a mass storage system is provided. The read channel (18) includes a plurality of circuit modules circuit and an error estimation circuit (50). The plurality of circuit modules may include circuitry such as a VGA (40), an LPF (42), and an equalizer (48), for conditioning an analog data signal. The plurality of circuit modules receive the analog data signal from a disk/head assembly (12) and condition the signal to generate a digital data signal. The error estimation circuit (50) receives an analog signal from one of the plurality of circuit modules, such as the equalizer (48), and analyzes the analog signal to generate an analog error output signal (94) that is used in the read channel (18) and provided to external circuitry.