U.S. patent application number 11/123384 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-09 for high frequency modulation of a light beam in optical recording.
Invention is credited to Chih-Yuan Chen, Chih-Chin Hsu.
Application Number | 20060250918 11/123384 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37297748 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060250918 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hsu; Chih-Chin ; et
al. |
November 9, 2006 |
High frequency modulation of a light beam in optical recording
Abstract
An optical storage system modulates a laser beam based on a high
frequency modulation (HFM) signal and a pattern to be recorded on
an optical storage medium. At least one of an amplitude and a
frequency of the HFM signal is adjusted when using the light beam
to record the pattern on the optical storage medium or read data
from the medium.
Inventors: |
Hsu; Chih-Chin; (Lu-Chou
City, TW) ; Chen; Chih-Yuan; (Tianjhong Township,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & RICHARDSON PC
P.O. BOX 1022
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55440-1022
US
|
Family ID: |
37297748 |
Appl. No.: |
11/123384 |
Filed: |
May 6, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
369/59.11 ;
G9B/7.009; G9B/7.101 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 2007/0006 20130101;
G11B 7/1267 20130101; G11B 7/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
369/059.11 |
International
Class: |
G11B 7/0045 20060101
G11B007/0045 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: modulating a light beam based on a high
frequency modulation (HFM) signal and a pattern to be recorded on
an optical storage medium; and adjusting a frequency of the HFM
signal when using the light beam to record the pattern on the
optical storage medium or read data from the medium, the frequency
being adjusted from a first value to a second value.
2. The method of claim 1 in which the frequency of the HFM signal
is adjusted to reduce an error rate when reading from the
medium.
3. The method of claim 2 in which the frequency of the HFM signal
is adjusted to reduce an error rate of reading an address in
pre-groove (ADIP) signal from the medium.
4. The method of claim 1 in which the frequency of the HFM signal
is adjusted in response to a change in a write power level of the
light beam.
5. The method of claim 1 in which the frequency of the HFM signal
is adjusted based on a selection of one of at least two light
sources for generating the light beam.
6. The method of claim 1 in which the frequency of the HFM signal
is adjusted depending on whether the light beam is at a write power
level, an erase power level, or a read power level, the write power
level being used for recording a mark on the storage medium, the
erase power level being used for erasing a mark on the storage
medium, and the read power level being used for reading recorded
marks on the storage medium.
7. The method of claim 1 in which the frequency of the HFM signal
is adjusted depending on whether the light beam is used for reading
from the medium or for writing to the medium.
8. The method of claim 1 in which adjusting the frequency of the
HFM signal comprises selecting one of at least two HFM current
generators to generate an electric current to drive the light
source.
9. The method of claim 1 in which the modulation of the light beam
is compatible with at least one of a CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+R,
DVD-RW, DVD+RW, double layer DVD-R, double layer DVD+R, Blu-ray
Disc, and High-Definition DVD (HD-DVD) standard.
10. A method of operating an optical storage system comprising:
when using a light beam to write a pattern on an optical storage
medium or read data from the medium, adjusting an amplitude of a
high frequency modulation (HFM) signal that is used to modulate the
light beam, the amplitude being adjusted based on a change in
operation mode of the optical storage system.
11. The method of claim 10 in which the amplitude of the HFM signal
is adjusted in response to a change in a write power level of the
light beam.
12. The method of claim 10 in which the amplitude of the HFM signal
is adjusted depending on whether the light beam is at a write power
level, an erase power level, or a read power level, the write power
level being used for writing a `1` signal on the storage medium,
the erase power level being used for writing the `0` signal on the
storage medium, and the read power level being used for reading
recorded signals or wobble signals on the storage medium.
13. The method of claim 10 in which the amplitude of the HFM signal
is adjusted depending on whether the light beam is used for reading
from the medium or for writing to the medium.
14. A method comprising: modulating a light beam according to a
pattern to be recorded on an optical storage medium and a high
frequency modulation (HFM) signal; and determining at least one of
an amplitude and a frequency of the HFM signal based on a type of
the optical storage medium, at least one of the amplitude and the
frequency being different for different types of optical storage
media.
15. The method of claim 14 in which at least one of the amplitude
and the frequency of the HFM signal is different for at least two
of CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, double layer DVD-R,
double layer DVD+R Blu-ray Disc, and High-Definition DVD (HD-DVD)
recording media.
16. A method comprising: determining a characteristic of a high
frequency modulation (HFM) signal based on a selection of a
wavelength of a read beam that is used to read data from an optical
recording medium, the wavelength being selected from among at least
two possible wavelengths, the characteristic of the HFM signal
being different for at least two different wavelengths; modulating
the read beam with the HFM signal; and using the read beam to read
data from the optical recording medium.
17. The method of claim 16 in which the characteristic comprises at
least one of a frequency and an amplitude of the HFM signal.
18. The method of claim 16 in which the characteristic of the HFM
signal is determined so as to reduce an error rate when reading
from the medium.
19. The method of claim 16 in which one of the two possible
wavelengths corresponds to an infrared or a red laser, and the
other of the two possible wavelengths corresponds to a blue
laser.
20. A method comprising: modulating a light beam based on a trial
write pattern and a high frequency modulation (HFM) signal; using
the light beam to record trial write marks on an optical storage
medium; detecting recorded trial write marks on the medium; and
adjusting at least one characteristic of the HFM signal based on
detected recorded trial write marks.
21. The method of claim 20 in which the characteristic comprises at
least one of a frequency and an amplitude.
22. The method of claim 21 comprising determining optimum values
for the frequency and amplitude of the HFM signal that result in
the least error rate based on the detected recorded trial write
marks.
23. An apparatus comprising: a light source driver to drive a light
source based on a high frequency modulation (HFM) signal and a
pattern to be recorded on an optical storage medium; and circuitry
to adjust at least one of an amplitude and a frequency of the HFM
signal when recording the pattern on the optical storage medium or
reading data from the medium.
24. The apparatus of claim 23 in which the circuitry adjusts at
least one of the amplitude and frequency of the HFM signal in
response to a change in a write power level of the light beam for
recording a mark on the optical storage medium.
25. The apparatus of claim 23 in which the circuitry adjusts at
least one of the amplitude and frequency of the HFM signal
depending on whether the light beam is at a write power level, an
erase power level, or a read power level, the write power level
being used for recording a mark on the storage medium, the erase
power level being used for erasing a mark on the storage medium,
and the read power level being used for reading recorded marks or
wobble signals on the storage medium.
26. The apparatus of claim 23 in which the light source driver
comprises at least two HFM current generators that have different
frequencies and/or amplitudes.
27. The apparatus of claim 23 in which the light source driver
drives the light source to generate a light beam that is compatible
with at least one of a CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW,
double layer DVD+R, double layer DVD-R, Blu-ray Disc, and
High-Definition DVD (HD-DVD) standard.
28. An apparatus comprising: a light source driver to drive a light
source according to a high frequency modulation (HFM) signal and a
pattern to be recorded on an optical storage medium; and circuitry
to determine at least one of an amplitude and a frequency of the
HFM signal based on a type of the optical storage medium, at least
one of the amplitude and the frequency being different for
different types of optical storage media.
29. The apparatus of claim 14 in which the circuitry determines
different amplitudes and/or frequencies for the HFM signal for at
least two of CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, Blu-ray
Disc, and High-Definition DVD (HD-DVD) recording media.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] This description relates to high frequency modulation of a
light beam in optical recording.
[0002] An optical recording system (e.g., an optical disc drive)
records data on an optical recording medium (e.g., an optical disc)
by writing marks using a laser beam, which is generated by a laser
diode in a pickup head. To read data, the laser beam is directed to
the recording medium and reflected light is detected to sense the
recorded data. The power level of the laser beam is adjusted
depending on whether the recording system writing, erasing, or
reading data from the disc. A polarizing beam splitter and quarter
wave plates are positioned between the laser diode and the disc,
configured to allow the laser beam to propagate from the laser
diode to the disc and to re-direct the reflected laser beam towards
photo detectors.
[0003] A small portion of the reflected laser beam may pass through
the polarizing beam splitter and reach the laser diode, causing
mode-hopping that results in a high level of noise (also called
"return feedback noise"), adversely affecting read and write
operations. It is known to apply a high-frequency modulation (HFM)
current having a fixed frequency and fixed amplitude to the laser
diode, causing the laser diode to operate in multi-mode, which is
less sensitive to feedback light and has reduced return feedback
noise.
SUMMARY
[0004] In general, in one aspect, the invention features an optical
recording method that includes modulating a light beam based on a
high frequency modulation (HFM) signal and a pattern to be recorded
on an optical storage medium. A frequency of the HFM signal is
adjusted when using the light beam to record the pattern on the
optical storage medium or read data from the medium, the frequency
being adjusted from a first value to a second value.
[0005] Implementations of the invention may include one or more of
the following features. The method includes adjusting an amplitude
of the HFM signal when using the light beam to record the pattern
on the optical storage medium or read data from the medium, the
amplitude being adjusted from a first value to a second value. The
frequency of the HFM signal is adjusted to reduce an error rate
when reading from the medium, such as reducing an error rate of
reading data or decoding addresses in wobble signals from the
medium. The frequency of the HFM signal is adjusted in response to
a change in a recording speed, a change in a write power level of
the light beam, or a change in velocity mode, such as from a
constant linear velocity mode to a constant angular velocity mode,
and vice versa. The frequency of the HFM signal is adjusted based
on a selection of one of at least two light sources for generating
the light beam. The frequency of the HFM signal is adjusted
depending on whether the light beam is at a write power level, an
erase power level, or a read power level, the write power level
being used for recording a mark on the storage medium, the erase
power level being used for erasing a mark on the storage medium,
and the read power level being used for reading recorded marks on
the storage medium. The frequency of the HFM signal is adjusted
depending on whether the light beam is used for reading from the
medium or for writing to the medium. Adjusting the frequency of the
HFM signal includes selecting one of at least two HFM current
generators to generate an electric current to drive the light
source. The HFM signal has a frequency greater than 150 MHz. The
modulation of the light beam is compatible with at least one of a
CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, double layer DVD-R,
double layer DVD+R, Blu-ray Disc, and High-Definition DVD (HD-DVD)
standard.
[0006] In general, in one aspect, the invention features a method
of operating an optical storage system that includes, when using a
light beam to write a pattern on an optical storage medium or read
data from the medium, adjusting an amplitude of a high frequency
modulation (HFM) signal that is used to modulate the light beam,
the amplitude being adjusted based on a change in operation mode of
the optical storage system.
[0007] Implementations of the invention may include one or more of
the following features. The amplitude of the HFM signal is adjusted
in response to a change in a write power level of the light beam.
The amplitude of the HFM signal is adjusted depending on whether
the light beam is at a write power level, an erase power level, or
a read power level, the write power level being used for writing a
`1` signal on the storage medium, the erase power level being used
for writing the `0` signal on the storage medium, and the read
power level being used for reading recorded signals or wobble
signals on the storage medium. The amplitude of the HFM signal is
adjusted depending on whether the light beam is used for reading
from the medium or for writing to the medium.
[0008] In general, in another aspect, the invention features an
optical recording method that includes modulating a light beam
according to a pattern to be recorded on an optical storage medium
and a high frequency modulation (HFM) signal. At least one of an
amplitude and a frequency of the HFM signal is determined based on
a type of the optical storage medium, at least one of the amplitude
and the frequency being different for different types of optical
storage media.
[0009] Implementations of the invention may include the following
features. At least one of the amplitude and the frequency of the
HFM signal is different for at least two of CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R,
DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, double layer DVD-R, double layer DVD+R
Blu-ray Disc, and High-Definition DVD (HD-DVD) recording media.
[0010] In general, in another aspect, the invention features an
optical recording method that includes modulating a light beam
according to a pattern to be recorded on an optical storage medium
and a high frequency modulation (HFM) signal, and determining at
least one of an amplitude and a frequency of the HFM signal based
on a selection of one of at least two light sources for generating
the light beam, at least one of the amplitude and the frequency
being different for different light sources.
[0011] In general, in another aspect, the invention features an
optical recording method that includes modulating a light beam
based on a trial write pattern and a high frequency modulation
(HFM) signal, using the light beam to record trial write marks on
an optical storage medium, detecting recorded trial write marks on
the medium, and adjusting at least one characteristic of the HFM
signal based on detected recorded trial write marks.
[0012] Implementations of the invention may include one or more of
the following features. The characteristic includes at least one of
a frequency and an amplitude. The method includes determining
optimum values for the frequency and amplitude of the HFM signal
that result in the least error rate based on the detected recorded
trial write marks. The method includes modulating the light beam
based on user data and the HFM signal that is adjusted based on the
detected trial write marks. The characteristic of the HFM signal is
adjusted according to at least one of a first write strategy, a
second write strategy, a third write strategy, and a fourth write
strategy. The first write strategy specifies that the
characteristic of the HFM signal is different for different signal
levels of the trial write pattern. The second write strategy
specifies that the characteristic of the HFM signal is different
depending on whether the light beam is used to read from the medium
or to write to the medium. The third write strategy specifies that
the characteristic of the HFM signal is different depending on the
type of optical storage medium being used. The fourth write
strategy specifies that the characteristic of the HFM signal is
different depending on the type of light source being used to
generate the light beam.
[0013] In general, in another aspect, the invention features a
method of operating an optical system for retrieving data from an
optical medium, including modulating a read beam with a high
frequency modulation (HFM) signal, and adjusting characteristics,
e.g., frequency or amplitude, of the HFM signal in response to a
change in operation mode.
[0014] Implementations of the invention may include one or more of
the following features. The optical system may include two or more
laser diodes for reading from different types of optical media. The
frequency or amplitude of the HFM signal is determined based on a
selection one of the laser diodes, in which different frequencies
or amplitudes are used for different laser diodes. The
characteristics of the HFM signal is adjusted in response to a
change in velocity mode, such as from a constant linear velocity
mode to a constant angular velocity mode, and vice versa. The
frequency or amplitude of the HFM signal is determined based on the
type of medium being accessed.
[0015] In general, in another aspect, the invention features a
method of reading data from an optical storage medium, including
determining a characteristic of a high frequency modulation (HFM)
signal based on a selection of a wavelength of a read beam that is
used to read data from the optical storage medium, the wavelength
being selected from among at least two possible wavelengths, the
characteristic of the HFM signal being different for at least two
different wavelengths. The read beam is modulated with the HFM
signal, and the read beam is used to read data from the optical
storage medium.
[0016] Implementations of the invention may include one or more of
the following features. The characteristic includes at least one of
a frequency and an amplitude of the HFM signal. The characteristic
of the HFM signal is determined so as to reduce an error rate when
reading from the medium. One of the two possible wavelengths
corresponds to an infrared or red laser, and the other of the two
possible wavelengths corresponds to a blue laser.
[0017] In general, in another aspect, the invention features an
optical storage apparatus that includes a light source driver to
drive a light source based on a high frequency modulation (HFM)
signal and a pattern to be recorded on an optical storage medium,
and circuitry to adjust at least one of an amplitude and a
frequency of the HFM signal when recording the pattern on the
optical storage medium or reading data from the medium.
[0018] Implementations of the invention may include one or more of
the following features. The apparatus includes an encoder to
generate the pattern according to an eight-to-fourteen modulation
of user data. The circuitry adjusts at least one of the amplitude
and frequency of the HFM signal in response to a change in a
recording speed, a change in a write power level of the light beam
for recording a mark on the optical storage medium, or a change
between a constant linear velocity mode and a constant angular
velocity mode. The circuitry adjusts at least one of the amplitude
and frequency of the HFM signal depending on whether the light beam
is at a write power level, an erase power level, or a read power
level, the write power level being used for recording a mark on the
storage medium, the erase power level being used for erasing a mark
on the storage medium, and the read power level being used for
reading recorded marks or wobble signals on the storage medium. The
circuitry selectively adjusts the amplitude of the HFM signal
between a specified level and zero depending on an amplitude of the
pattern. The light source driver includes at least two HFM current
generators that have different frequencies and/or amplitudes. The
HFM signal has a frequency greater than 150 MHz. The light source
driver drives the light source to generate a light beam that is
compatible with at least one of a CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+R,
DVD-RW, DVD+RW, double layer DVD+R, double layer DVD R, Blu-ray
Disc, and High-Definition DVD (HD-DVD) standard. The circuitry
includes registers to store values for specifying at least two sets
of frequencies and amplitudes.
[0019] In general, in another aspect, the invention features an
optical storage apparatus that includes a light source driver to
drive a light source according to a high frequency modulation (HFM)
signal and a pattern to be recorded on an optical storage medium,
and circuitry to determine at least one of an amplitude and a
frequency of the HFM signal based on a type of the optical storage
medium, at least one of the amplitude and the frequency being
different for different types of optical storage media.
[0020] Implementations of the invention may include the following
features. The circuitry determines different amplitudes and/or
frequencies for the HFM signal for at least two of CD-R, CD-RW,
DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, Blu-ray Disc, and High-Definition DVD
(HD-DVD) recording media.
[0021] In general, in another aspect, the invention features an
optical storage apparatus that includes a light source driver to
drive a light source according to a high frequency modulation (HFM)
signal and a trial write pattern to be recorded on an optical
storage medium, a detector to detect recorded trial write marks on
the medium, and circuitry to adjust at least one of an amplitude
and a frequency of the HFM signal based on detected trial write
marks.
[0022] Implementations of the invention may include one or more of
the following features. The light source driver drives the light
source according to user data and the HFM signal having a frequency
and/or amplitude adjusted by the circuitry based on detected trial
write marks. The circuitry determines at least one of the amplitude
and the frequency of the HFM signal according to at least one of a
first write strategy, a second write strategy, a third write
strategy, and a fourth write strategy. The first write strategy
specifies that the amplitude of the HFM signal is different for
different signal levels of the trial write pattern. The second
write strategy specifies that the frequency of the HFM signal is
different for different signal levels of the trial write pattern.
The third write strategy specifies that the amplitude of the HFM
signal is different depending on whether the light beam is used to
read from the medium or to write to the medium. The fourth write
strategy specifies that the frequency of the HFM signal is
different depending on whether the light beam is used to read from
the medium or to write to the medium.
[0023] In general, in another aspect, the invention features an
optical storage system that includes means for generating a laser
driving signal for driving a laser module having at least one laser
diode, the laser driving signal having a high frequency modulation
component, and means for adjusting an optical characteristics of
the high frequency modulation component to reduce return-feedback
noise.
[0024] Implementations of the invention may include one or more of
the following features. The optical characteristics includes at
least one of a frequency and an amplitude of the high frequency
modulation component. The adjusting means adjusts the optical
characteristics in response to at least one of (1) a change in a
recording speed, (2) a change in a write power level of the laser,
(3) a change in velocity mode, (4) a selection of one of at least
two light sources for generating the light beam, (5) a change in a
power level of the laser between a write power level, an erase
power level, and a read power level, (6) a change between a read
mode and write mode, (7) a change in a type of recording medium
used in the optical storage system, and (8) a change in an output
wavelength of the laser module.
[0025] In general, in one aspect, the invention features an optical
system that includes a pickup head that generates a read beam that
is modulated with a high frequency modulation (HFM) signal, and
circuitry to adjust at least one of an amplitude and a frequency of
the HFM signal when reading from an optical storage medium.
[0026] Implementations of the invention may include one or more of
the following features. The optical system may include two or more
laser diodes for reading from different types of optical media. The
frequency or amplitude of the HFM signal is determined based on a
selection one of the laser diodes, in which different frequencies
or amplitudes are used for different laser diodes. The
characteristics of the HFM signal is adjusted in response to a
change in velocity mode, such as from a constant linear velocity
mode to a constant angular velocity mode, and vice versa. The
frequency or amplitude of the HFM signal is determined based on the
type of medium being accessed.
[0027] In general, in one aspect, the invention features a machine
readable code that causes a machine to implement functions
including modulating a light beam based on a high frequency
modulation (HFM) signal and a pattern to be recorded on an optical
storage medium, and adjusting a frequency of the HFM signal when
using the light beam to record the pattern on the optical storage
medium or read data from the medium, the frequency being adjusted
from a first value to a second value.
[0028] Implementations of the invention may include one or more of
the following features. The machine readable code also causes the
machine to implement the functions of adjusting an amplitude of the
HFM signal when using the light beam to record the pattern on the
optical storage medium or read data from the medium, the amplitude
being adjusted from a first value to a second value. The frequency
of the HFM signal is adjusted to reduce an error rate when reading
from the medium, such as reducing an error rate of reading an
address in pre-groove (ADIP) signal from the medium. The frequency
of the HFM signal is adjusted in response to a change in a
recording speed, a change in a write power level of the light beam,
or a change in velocity mode, such as from a constant linear
velocity mode to a constant angular velocity mode, and vice versa.
The frequency of the HFM signal is adjusted based on a selection of
one of at least two light sources for generating the light beam.
The frequency of the HFM signal is adjusted depending on whether
the light beam is at a write power level, an erase power level, or
a read power level, the write power level being used for recording
a mark on the storage medium, the erase power level being used for
erasing a mark on the storage medium, and the read power level
being used for reading recorded marks on the storage medium. The
frequency of the HFM signal is adjusted depending on whether the
light beam is used for reading from the medium or for writing to
the medium. Adjusting the frequency of the HFM signal includes
selecting one of at least two HFM current generators to generate an
electric current to drive the light source. The HFM signal has a
frequency greater than 150 MHz. The modulation of the light beam is
compatible with at least one of a CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+R,
DVD-RW, DVD+RW, double layer DVD-R, double layer DVD+R, Blu-ray
Disc, and High-Definition DVD (HD-DVD) standard.
[0029] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All of
the publications, patent applications, patents, and other
references mentioned are incorporated herein by reference. In case
of conflict with the references incorporated by reference, the
present specification, including definitions, will control.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0030] FIG. 1 shows an optical recording system.
[0031] FIG. 2 shows a laser diode driver.
[0032] FIG. 3 shows a disc drive controller.
[0033] FIGS. 4-8 show graphs.
[0034] FIG. 9 shows an optical recording system.
[0035] FIGS. 10 and 11 show optical pickup heads.
[0036] FIGS. 12 and 13 show processes.
DESCRIPTION
[0037] An optical recording system reduces return feedback noise by
varying characteristics of a high-frequency modulation (HFM)
current applied to a laser diode based on the operation mode of the
recording system. The characteristics include, e.g., frequency and
amplitude. For example, the HFM current may have a first frequency
and first amplitude during a read mode, and a second frequency and
second amplitude during a write mode. During the write mode in
which an encoded signal, such as an eight-to-fourteen modulated
(EFM) signal, is recorded to a disc, the frequency and amplitude of
the HFM current may depend on the signal level of the encoded
signal. For example, the HFM current may have a first frequency and
amplitude when the EFM signal is high, and a second frequency
and/or amplitude when the EFM signal is low. The characteristics of
the HFM current may also depend on the type of disc being accessed.
A trial write process may be used to find optimum combinations of
frequencies and amplitudes for different modes of operations.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 1, an optical recording system 10 includes
a pickup head 12 connected to a printed circuit board 41 through a
flexible cable 64. An optical disc drive controller 42 is mounted
on the circuit board 41 to encode data sent to the pickup head 12
and decode signals received from the pickup head 12. The pickup
head 12 includes a laser diode driver 11 that generates a laser
driving current for driving a laser diode array 14, which includes
at least one laser diode for generating a laser beam 18 that is
directed towards an optical disc 20. Light reflected from the disc
20 is detected by a photo detector integrated circuit 50.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 2, the laser diode driver 11 includes a
recording current generator 22 that generates a recording current
24 for driving the laser diode array 14 during a write operation.
The recording current generator 22 typically has two or more write
channels, each generating a recording current signal having a
waveform that complies with the write strategy associated with a
particular type of disc. For example, see Philips and Sony's
Recordable Disc Standard (Yellow Book) and Rewritable Disc Standard
(Orange Book) for descriptions of the write strategies for writing
to CD-R and CD-RW discs, respectively. A read current generator 26
generates a read current 28 for driving the laser diode 14 during a
read operation.
[0040] A programmable HFM current generator 30 generates an HFM
current 32 that is selectively added to the recording current 24
during a write operation, or to the read current 28 during a read
operation, to generate the laser driving current 88. A serial
interface and register control block 34 generates a control signal
36 that controls the frequency and amplitude of the HFM current
36.
[0041] The control block 34 includes four 8-bit registers 38a, 38b,
40a, and 40b, which store values that are used to determine the
frequency and amplitude, respectively, of the HFM current 32 added
to the recording current 24 when writing to the disc 20 (registers
38a, 38b), or when reading from the disc 20 (registers 40a, 40b).
Each register has 8 bits, so each of the frequency and amplitude of
the HFM current 32 can be set to one of 256 levels. For CD and DVD
recording systems, the HFM current 32 has a frequency between,
e.g., 200 MHz and 500 MHz.
[0042] The control block 34 receives serial data 44, a clock signal
46, and a serial interface enable (SEN) signal 48 from the optical
disc drive controller 42. The serial data 44 are used to set the
values in the registers in the control block 34.
[0043] In some examples, the laser diode array 14 includes a first
laser diode 15a and a second laser diode 15b. The laser diode 15a
generates a laser beam having a wavelength of about 780 nm, and is
used when the disc 20 is a CD type disc, such as a CD-audio,
CD-ROM, or CD-R disc. The laser diode 15b generates a laser beam
having a wavelength of about 650 nm, and is used when the disc 20
is a DVD type disc, such as a DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, double
layer DVD-R, or double layer DVD+R disc. A register 43 stores a
value for determining whether to use laser diode 15a or 15b. The
control block 34 generates a control signal 90 based on the value
in the register 43 to control an output selector 91 that determines
whether the laser drive current 88 is used to drive the laser diode
15a or 15b through signal line 89a or 89b, respectively.
[0044] Referring again to FIG. 1, the photo diode integrated
circuit 50 detects laser light 62 that is reflected from the disc
20 and redirected by a beam splitter 13, and generates an output 52
that has information about the track wobble and data recorded on
the disc 20. The photo diode IC has three quad-section photo
detectors, as shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/077,668,
filed Mar. 11, 2005, titled "Land/Groove Track and Pickup Head
Movement Direction Detection", herein incorporated by reference.
The output 52 includes outputs from the photo detectors, which are
used to generate a wobble signal, an RF signal, and a tracking
error signal. The RF signal includes the data written on the disc
20. The wobble signal and the tracking error signal are used to
position the pickup head 12 on specific locations on the disc
20.
[0045] The wobble signal has a carrier signal that is used to
generate a recording clock and control a spindle motor that
determines the rotation speed of the disc. The wobble signal is
modulated with address information, also called address in
pregroove (ADIP). The ADIP allows the system 10 to write data to or
read data from specific address locations on the disc 20.
Generating an accurate wobble signal derived from the output 52
allows the system 10 to generate an accurate write clock,
accurately control the rotation speed of the disc, and correctly
determine the ADIP.
[0046] The photo diode IC 50 has a frequency response up to about
110 MHz, which is less than the frequency of the HFM current 32
(200 MHz to 500 MHz). Thus, the high frequency component in the
reflected laser light 62 caused by the HFM current 32 is filtered
out and does not appear in the output 52.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 3, the optical disc drive controller 42
includes a digital signal processor 54, an encoder/decoder 56, a
phase-lock loop 58, and an RF preamplifier 60. The digital signal
processor 54 performs signal processing for disc drive servo
control. The encoder/decoder 56 encodes data to be written to the
disc 20 according to the eight-to-fourteen modulation, and decodes
encoded data read from the disc 20. The phase-lock loop 58 provides
synchronization functions, including synchronizing a wobble signal
detected from the disc 20 with a write clock signal. The RF
preamplifier 60 amplifies the RF signal derived from the output
signal 52.
[0048] It is useful to adjust characteristics of the HFM current 32
depending on whether the system 10 is in the read mode or in the
record (write) mode because the particular frequency and amplitude
of the HFM current 32 that result in the least error rate may be
different for a read process and a recording process.
[0049] In the graph 150 of FIG. 4, a curve 152 represents the RF
read error rate measured over different frequencies of the HFM
current 32 (represented by the horizontal axis 160). The RF signal
includes data read from the disc 20, and the RF read error rate
represents the error rate of the data derived from the RF signal. A
second curve 154 represents the ADIP error rate measured over
different frequencies of the HFM current 32. The ADIP signal
includes address information, and is used during the record mode to
position the write beam at specific addresses on the disc 20. A
larger error rate in the ADIP signal will result in a higher error
rate in the data written on the disc 20.
[0050] The curve 152 shows that the data read from the disc 20 has
a lower error rate when the HFM current 32 has a frequency between
f1 and f2. The curve 154 shows that the ADIP signal has a lower
error rate when the HFM current 32 has a frequency between f3 and
f4. Thus, it is useful to set the HFM current 32 to have a
frequency between f1 and f2 during the read mode, and set the HFM
current 32 to have a frequency between f3 and f4 during the record
mode.
[0051] Measurements can be performed to determine the ranges of
amplitude of the HFM current 32 that would result in lower RF read
error rate and lower ADIP error rate, respectively. Measurements
can be performed to determine the ranges of amplitude and frequency
of the HFM current 32 that would result in lower RF read error rate
and lower ADIP error rate, respectively, when the EFM signal is at
a high level and a low level, and for different types of discs.
[0052] The optimum HFM frequency and amplitude may depend on the
type of pickup head 12 being used and the circuitry for controlling
the pickup head 12, thus the values of registers 38a, 38b, 40a, and
40b may be set to different values for different recording systems
10.
[0053] FIG. 5 shows graphs 70 of signals that are generated by one
example of the optical recording system 10, in which the frequency
and amplitude of the HFM current 32 are adjusted based on whether
the system 10 is in a read mode or a write mode. The HFM current 32
is turned on only when the EFM signal 44 is at a low level. In this
example, the disc 20 is a recordable disc (also called a write-once
disc). In the graphs 70, the horizontal axis (not shown) represents
time, and the vertical axis (not shown) represents signal
levels.
[0054] The disc drive controller 42 sends a read/write mode
indication signal (RWB) 72 to the laser diode driver 11. The signal
72 represents whether the system 10 is in the read mode (e.g., 80)
or the record mode (e.g., 82) by having a high or low signal level,
respectively. During the read mode, the EFM signal 44 has a low
level (e.g., 86). During the write mode, the EFM signal 44
alternates between a high level (e.g., 84) and a low level (e.g.,
86), depending on whether a 1 or a 0, respectively, is to be
written to the disc 20. When the EFM signal 44 is high, a higher
recording current 24 is generated to write a mark (or pit) on the
disc 20, in which the mark has a reflectivity lower than
surrounding regions. When the EFM signal 44 is low, the recording
current 24 is either low or turned off, so that no mark is written
on the disc. The regions of the disc 20 having marks are called pit
or mark regions, and the regions of the disc not having marks are
called land or space regions.
[0055] The control block 34 generates an oscillation enable signal
45 that indicates whether the HFM current 32 is turned on or off.
In this example, the oscillation enable signal 45 is high or low
when the EFM signal 44 is at a low or high level, respectively. The
falling edge (e.g., 124) of the oscillation enable signal 45
slightly lags the rising edge (e.g., 126) of the EFM signal 44 by
an amount 61 that takes account of the lag between the rising edge
(e.g., 132) of the laser drive current 88 and the rising edge
(e.g., 126) of the EFM signal 44. The rising edge (e.g., 128) of
the oscillation enable signal 45 slightly lags the falling edge
(e.g., 130) of the EFM signal 44 by an amount 62 that takes account
of the lag between the falling edge (e.g., 134) of the laser drive
current 88 and the falling edge (e.g., 130) of the EFM signal
44.
[0056] When the oscillation enable signal 45 is high, the HFM
current 32 is turned on, and has a frequency and amplitude
determined by the control block 34. The HFM current 32 is turned
off (e.g., 98) when the oscillation enable signal 45 is low.
[0057] When the system 10 is in the read mode, the control block 34
uses the values stored in registers 38a and 38b to determine the
frequency and amplitude of the EFM current 32. The HFM current 32
has a lower frequency and a lower amplitude (e.g., 94) when in the
read mode. During the record mode, the control block 34 uses the
values stored in registers 40a and 40b to determine the frequency
and amplitude of the EFM current 32. The HFM current 32 has a
higher frequency and a higher amplitude (e.g., 96) when in the
record mode. The laser drive current 88 has an HFM component 95
having a lower frequency and smaller amplitude during the read
mode, and has an HFM component 97 having a higher frequency and
larger amplitude during the write mode when the EFM signal is low.
The laser drive current 88 does not have an HFM component when the
EFM signal is high.
[0058] FIG. 6 shows graphs 100 of signals that are generated by
another example of the optical recording system 10, in which the
control block 34 is configured so that the oscillation enable
signal 45 is high (and thus the HFM current 32 is turned on) when
the EFM signal 44 is either high or low, and the amplitude of the
HFM current 32 is adjusted based on whether the EFM signal 44 is at
a high level or a low level. When the EFM signal 44 is low (e.g.,
102), the HFM current 32 has a larger amplitude (e.g., 104). When
the EFM signal 44 is high (e.g., 106), the HFM current 32 has a
smaller amplitude (e.g., 108). The laser drive current 88 has an
HFM component 105 having a larger amplitude when the EFM signal is
low, regardless of whether the system 10 is in the read mode or the
record mode. The laser drive current 88 has an HFM component 109
having a smaller amplitude when the EFM signal is high.
[0059] FIG. 7 shows graphs 110 of signals that are generated by
another example of the optical recording system 10, in which the
control block 34 is configured so that the oscillation enable
signal 45 is high (and thus the HFM current 32 is turned on) when
the EFM signal 44 is either high or low, and the amplitude of the
HFM current 32 is adjusted based on whether the system 10 is in the
read mode or the record mode. When the system 10 is in the read
mode (e.g., 112), the HFM current 32 has a larger amplitude (e.g.,
114). When the system 10 is in the record mode (e.g., 116), the HFM
current 32 has a smaller amplitude (e.g., 118). The laser drive
current 88 has an HFM component 120 having a larger amplitude when
the system 10 is in the read mode, and has an HFM component 122
having a smaller amplitude when the system 10 is in the record
mode, regardless of whether the EFM signal 44 is high or low.
[0060] FIG. 8 shows graphs 140 of signals that are generated by
another example of the optical recording system 10, in which the
HFM current 32 is adjusted depending on whether the disc 20 is a
recordable (write-once) disc (e.g., CD-R, DVD-R, or DVD+R) or a
rewriteable disc (e.g., CD-RW, DVD-RW, DVD+RW).
[0061] The control block 34 is configured so that, when the disc 20
is a recordable disc, the oscillation enable signal 45 is high
during the read mode, and alternates between high and low depending
on whether the EFM signal is low or high, respectively. The rising
and falling edges of the oscillation enable signal 45 slight lags
the falling and rising edges, respectively, of the EFM signal 44 to
take account of the lag between the laser driving current 88 and
the EFM signal 44. The frequency and amplitude of the HFM current
32 remains the same regardless of whether the system 10 is in the
read mode or the record mode. The laser driving current 88 has an
HFM component 144 when the EFM signal is low.
[0062] When the disc 20 is a rewriteable disc, the oscillation
enable signal 45 is high during the read mode, and alternates
between high and low depending on whether the EFM signal is low or
high, respectively, similar to the case when the disc 20 is a
recordable disc. The recording current 24 has a waveform that
follows rewriteable disc standards. In the example of FIG. 8, the
recording current 24 is at an erase level when the EFM signal is
low, and the recording current 24 alternates between a write level
and a bias or cooling level when the EFM signal is high.
[0063] The HFM current 32 has a larger amplitude when the system 10
is in the read mode, and has a smaller amplitude when the system 10
is in the record mode. Thus, the laser driving current 88 has an
HFM component (e.g., 146) having a larger amplitude when the system
10 is in the read mode. The laser driving current 88 has an HFM
component (e.g., 148) having a smaller amplitude when the system 10
is in the record mode and when the EFM signal 44 is low.
[0064] FIG. 9 shows an example of an optical recording system 170
that has a laser diode driver 171 that is similar to the laser
diode driver 11 (FIG. 2), except that the laser diode driver 171
does not have a serial interface and register control block. The
laser diode driver 171 includes an HFM current generator 172 that
has resistors for setting the frequency and amplitude of the HFM
current 32. For example, resistors 174a and 174b have preset values
hat are used to specify a first set of frequency and amplitude for
the IFM current 32. Resistors 176a and 176b have present values
that are used to specify a second set of frequency and amplitude
for the HFM current 32.
[0065] The HFM current generator 172 receives a select signal 178
that is used to select one of resistor pairs (174a, 174b) or (176a,
176b) to determine the frequency and amplitude of the HFM current
32. The HFM current generator 172 receives an oscillation enable
signal 177 that indicates when the HFM current 32 is turned on or
off.
[0066] For example, to generate the laser drive current 88 shown in
FIG. 5, during the read mode, the oscillation enable signal 177 is
high and the select signal 178 has a low level to select the
resistor pairs 174a and 174b. During the record mode, when the EFM
signal 44 is low, the oscillation enable signal 177 is high and the
select signal 178 has a high level to select the resistor pairs
176a and 176b, so that the frequency and amplitude of the HFM
current 32 is different from those during the read mode. When the
EFM signal 44 is high, the oscillation enable signal 177 turns low,
and the HFM current 32 is turned off.
[0067] A second select signal 180 is used to determine whether the
laser drive current 88 is applied to the laser diode 15a or
15b.
[0068] FIG. 10 shows an example of an optical pickup head 190 that
is similar to the pickup head 12 in FIG. 2, except that the pickup
head 190 has two HFM current generators 192 and 194 that generate
HFM current signals 198 and 200, respectively. The frequency and
amplitude of the first HFM current signal 198 are determined by the
values stored in the registers 38a and 38b of the control block 34.
The frequency and amplitude of the second HFM current signal 200
are determined by the values stored in the registers 40a and 40b of
the control block 34. The control block 34 controls a multiplexer
196 to select one of the HFM current signals 198 and 200.
[0069] FIG. 11 shows an example of an optical pickup head 210 that
is similar to the pickup head of recording system 170 of FIG. 9,
except that the pickup head 210 has two HFM current generators 212
and 214 that generate HFM current signals 216 and 218,
respectively. Each HFM current generator has two resistors that
specify the frequency and amplitude of the HFM current signals, and
the two HFM current signals 216 and 218 are set to have different
frequencies and/or amplitudes. The oscillation enable signal 48
determines whether the HFM current generators 212 and 214 generate
the HFM current signals, and the select signal 178 controls a
multiplexer that selects one of the HFM current signals 216 and
218.
[0070] FIG. 12 shows a process 220 for accessing the optical disc
20 in which the frequency and amplitude of the HFM current 32 is
varied according to the waveforms in FIG. 5 to reduce return
feedback noise. The disc drive controller 42 determines 222 the
type of disc (e.g., CD or DVD), and sets 224 the values of the
registers 43, 38, 38b, 40a, and 40c in the control block 34 to
specify which laser diode to use (15a or 15b) and specify the
frequencies and amplitudes of the HFM current 32 in different
situations.
[0071] The disc drive controller 42 determines 226 whether a read
operation or a write operation is performed. In the case of a read
operation, the laser diode driver 11 generates 228 the read current
28, and generates 232 the HFM current 32 having a frequency and an
amplitude determined by the registers 38a and 38b. The HFM current
32 is added 234 to the read current 28 to generate the laser drive
current 88, which is used to drive 236 the laser diode selected
according to the value of the register 43.
[0072] In the case of the write operation, the disc drive
controller 42 generates 238 an EFM signal 44 based on the data to
be written to the disc 20. The laser diode driver 11 generates 240
the recording current 28, and generates 242 the HFM current 32
having a frequency and an amplitude determined by the registers 40a
and 40b when the EFM signal 44 is low. The HFM current 32 is added
244 to the recording current 24 to generate the laser drive current
88, which is used to drive 236 the laser diode selected according
to the value of the register 43.
[0073] The values to be written into the registers 38a, 38b, 40a,
and 40b can be stored in firmware, which can be updated from time
to time. The register values can also be determined based on a
trial write process to take into account changes in system
parameters, such as degradation of laser diode output, dust
accumulation in lens, and so forth.
[0074] FIG. 13 shows a trial write process 250 for determining
optimum frequencies and amplitudes of the HFM current 32. The disc
drive controller 42 determines 252 the type of disc 20 being
accessed, and selects one of a number of preset strategies for
varying the HFM current 32. The strategies may include those shown
in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6. For each strategy, the disc drive
controller 42 sets 256 registers 40a and 40b to reference values,
and determines 258 optimum values for registers 38a and 38b by
varying the register values 38a and 38b and finding a pair of
register values that result in the least error rate for that
strategy. The disc drive controller 42 sets 260 the registers 38a
an 38b to the optimum values determined in step 258, and determines
262 optimum values for registers 40a and 40b by varying the
register values 40a and 40b and finding a pair of register values
that result in the least error rate.
[0075] The disc drive controller 42 determines 264 whether all
strategies have been examined. If not all of the strategies have
been examined, the process 250 loops back to step 254. If all of
the strategies have been examined, the disc drive controller 42
determines 266 which strategy produces the least error rate, and
records the register values that result in the least error rate for
that strategy. The disc drive controller 42 sets 268 the registers
38a, 38b, 40a, and 40b using the values determined in step 266, and
accesses 270 the disc 20 using the optimum strategy and optimum HFM
frequency and amplitude values determined in steps 254 to 266.
[0076] In each of steps 258 and 262 in the process 250, the optimum
set of frequency and amplitude can be determined by first setting
the register values to a reference value, then varying the
frequency and amplitude individually, or varying both frequency and
amplitude according to a predetermined relationship.
[0077] The trial write process 250 can be executed whenever a new
disc 20 is used, or upon request by a user to calibrate the system
10.
[0078] The controller 42 may include hard-wired logic or firmware
for implementing the processes 220 and 250. The controller 42 may
also operate according to software code to implement the processes
220 and 250.
[0079] Although some examples have been discussed above, other
implementations and applications are also within the scope of the
following claims. For example, the laser diodes 15a and 15b can be
combined into a two-wavelength laser diode. The laser diode array
14 may include a blue laser diode that generates a laser beam
having a wavelength of about 405 nm, which is used when the disc 20
is compatible with an optical standard that uses blue laser, e.g.,
a Blu-ray or High-Density DVD (HD DVD) disc. The control block 34
determines whether the laser driving current 88 is used to drive
laser diodes 15a, 15b, or the blue laser diode. The laser diodes
15a, 15b, and the blue laser diode can be combined into a
three-wavelength laser diode.
[0080] The data to be recorded to the disc 20 can be modulated
according to modulation methods that are different from the EFM
modulation, such as eight-to-fifteen or eight-to-sixteen (EFM plus)
modulation, in which eight data bits are modulated to form 15 or 16
channel bits.
[0081] In FIG. 2, the control block 34 includes two pairs of
registers, each pair determining a set of frequency and amplitude
of the HFM current 32. More than two pairs of registers can be
used, so that more than two sets of frequencies and amplitudes of
the HFM current 32 can be set. In FIG. 9, the HFM current generator
172 has two pairs of resistors for setting the two sets of
frequencies and amplitudes of the HFM current 32. More than two
sets of resistors can be used to specify more than two sets of
frequencies and amplitudes of the HFM current 32. The select signal
178 can include a multi-bit signal for selecting one of the sets of
resistors.
[0082] The frequency and amplitude of the HFM current 32 may vary
according to conditions not described above. For example, when the
rotation speed of the disc changes, such as when changing from one
of 4.times., 6.times., 8.times., 10.times., 12.times., 24.times.,
32.times., 36.times., 48.times. speeds to another speed, the
frequency and amplitude of the HFM current may change. The
amplitude and frequency of the HFM current can be adjusted in
response to a change between a constant linear velocity mode and a
constant angular velocity mode. In the constant linear velocity
mode, the linear velocity of the pickup head relative to the disc
is constant regardless of whether the pickup head is at an inner
track or an outer track of the disc. In the constant angular
velocity mode, the angular velocity of the pickup head relative to
the disc is constant regardless of whether the pickup head is at an
inner track or an outer track.
[0083] Instead of an HFM current, an HFM voltage may be used. For
example, the pickup head may include a recording voltage generator
to generate a recording voltage signal, a read voltage generator to
generate a read voltage signal, and an HFM voltage generator to
generate an HFM voltage signal. The HFM voltage signal can be added
to the recording voltage signal or the read voltage signal to
generate a laser diode drive voltage signal.
[0084] The frequency of the HFM signal can have different ranges
depending on the type of disc used. For example, the HFM signal can
have frequencies from 200 MHz to 600 MHz, or even higher. The
frequency of the HFM signal is selected to be away from the
frequency ranges of the servo control signals and the data
signals.
[0085] The technique of varying characteristics (e.g., frequency
and amplitude) of the HFM signal to reduce error rate can also be
used in read-only optical systems. For example, the system may
include two or more laser diodes for reading from different types
of media, and the HFM signal imposed on the read current for
driving the laser diode is different for different laser diodes.
The characteristics of the HFM signal may be adjusted in response
to a change in velocity mode, such as from a constant linear
velocity mode to a constant angular velocity mode, and vice versa.
The frequency or amplitude of the HFM signal may be determined
based on the type of medium being accessed.
* * * * *