Using a read element and a read/write coupling path to detect write-safe conditions

摘要

A circuit and method for detecting write-safe conditions for a magnetic storage device The circuit includes an electrical interconnect, a write-safe circuit, a write-driver circuit, a read amplifier and a read/write element. The electrical interconnect has a write path and a read path. A read element is coupled to one end of the read path, while the read amplifier is coupled to the other end of the read path. A write element is coupled to an end of the write path that is in proximity to the read element, while a write-output circuit is coupled to the other end of the write path. Preferably, the write element and the read element are part of a magneto-resistive head, such as a Piggyback- Magneto- Resistive head. The write-safe circuit, coupled to the read amplifier, detects a write-safe condition based on a signal induced into the read path by a write signal on the write path. The read amplifier is coupled to the read path between the read path and the write-safe circuit, and amplifies the voltage signal induced into the read path.