Disk drive and method using native command queuing tags to identify logical block size and implement protection information
View Patent ↗“A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk wherein a Native Command Queuing (NCQ) access command is received from a host. The NCQ access command comprises at least one logical block address (LBA) associated with a logical block, and a tag field for identifying the access command. The tag field is evaluated to determine a size of the logical block, and the logical block is transferred between the disk drive and the host. The logical block comprises user data and protection information for implementing end-to-end protection. The tag field comprises a tag number selected from a range of numbers, where the range of numbers comprise a first range of numbers for identifying a logical block comprising user data and protection information, and a second range of numbers for identifying a logical block comprising user data without protection information.”
1. A disk drive comprising:
a disk;
a head actuated over the disk; and
control circuitry operable to:
receive a Native Command Queuing (NCQ) access command from a host, wherein the NCQ access command comprises at least one logical block address (LBA) associated with a logical block, and a tag field for identifying the access command;
evaluate the tag field to determine a size of the logical block; and
transfer the logical block between the disk drive and the host,
wherein:
the logical block comprises user data and protection information for implementing end-to-end protection; and
the tag field comprises a tag number selected from a range of numbers, the range of numbers comprising:
a first range of numbers for identifying a logical block comprising user data and protection information; and
a second range of numbers for identifying a logical block comprising user data without protection information.
2. The disk drive as recited in claim 1 , wherein the protection information comprises check data generated over the user data.
3. The disk drive as recited in claim 1 , wherein the protection information comprises an LBA reference field for identifying the at least one LBA.
4. The disk drive as recited in claim 1 , wherein the protection information comprises check data generated over the user data.
5. The disk drive as recited in claim 1 , wherein the protection information comprises an LBA reference field for identifying the at least one LBA.
6. The disk drive as recited in claim 1 , wherein the disk drive comprises a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) disk drive.
7. The disk drive as recited in claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry is further operable to:
store the NCQ access command in a command queue;
select the NCQ access command from the command queue; and
evaluate the tag field in order to transfer the logical block between the disk drive and the host.
8. The disk drive as recited in claim 7 , wherein the control circuitry is further operable to:
convert the at least one LBA into a physical block address (PBA); and
write at least part of the logical block to a data sector on the disk associated with the PBA.
9. A method of operating a disk drive, the disk drive comprising a disk and a head actuated over the disk, the method comprising:
receiving a Native Command Queuing (NCQ) access command from a host, wherein the NCQ access command comprises at least one logical block address (LBA) associated with a logical block, and a tag field for identifying the access command;
evaluating the tag field to determine a size of the logical block; and
transferring the logical block between the disk drive and the host,
wherein:
the logical block comprises user data and protection information for implementing end-to-end protection; and
the tag field comprises a tag number selected from a range of numbers, the range of numbers comprising:
a first range of numbers for identifying a logical block comprising user data and protection information; and
a second range of numbers for identifying a logical block comprising user data without protection information.
10. The method as recited in claim 9 , wherein the protection information comprises check data generated over the user data.
11. The method as recited in claim 9 , wherein the protection information comprises an LBA reference field for identifying the at least one LBA.
12. The method as recited in claim 9 , wherein the protection information comprises check data generated over the user data.
13. The method as recited in claim 9 , wherein the protection information comprises an LBA reference field for identifying the at least one LBA.
14. The method as recited in claim 9 , wherein the disk drive comprises a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) disk drive.
15. The method as recited in claim 9 , further comprising:
storing the NCQ access command in a command queue;
selecting the NCQ access command from the command queue; and
evaluating the tag field in order to transfer the logical block between the disk drive and the host.
16. The method as recited in claim 15 , further comprising:
converting the at least one LBA into a physical block address (PBA); and
writing at least part of the logical block to a data sector on the disk associated with the PBA.