SiGlaz Spatial Signature Analysis for Hard Disk Media

SiGlaz Corp., a provider of spatial signature analysis software to the semiconductor industry, has introduced a new product for the hard drive industry. SiGlaz Disk Defect Analyzer (DDA) software automatically analyzes the spatial distribution of disk media tester data and notifies the user when it recognizes a signature. Early identification of a process excursion translates into yield improvement and cost reduction.

John Poreda, SiGlaz Vice President of Sales and Marketing noted that the automated analysis requirements for the industry are changing. "For many advanced applications, disk media manufacturers have needed to increase tester sensitivity in order to find defects like shallow scratches. This has resulted in significant background noise, and as a result, there is a need for more sophisticated signature analysis software."

SiGlaz DDA provides a number of proven signature recognition methodologies that have been adapted and optimized for the types of signatures most common in disk media manufacturing. DDA signature recognition algorithms include an object analyzer that may be used in either Cartesian or polar coordinates. In addition, DDA includes a sinusoid analyzer, a zonal signature analyzer and a pattern recognition algorithm.

There are two versions of Disk Defect Analyzer (DDA) software application:

• Professional Edition, which is designed for use on a standalone PC, and
• Enterprise Edition, which runs on a Windows-based server. The Enterprise Edition is based on web service architecture (SOAP) and supports large scale database compatibility. A database manager, running as a Windows Service, continuously loads tester data to the analysis database. A recipe manager analyzes new tester data as it is written to the database, which may be queried for trend analysis and reporting. SiGlaz will customize the DDA software to accept any type of tester data format.

Aries/MRS, Inc., a private corporation formed by the merger of Aries Innovations and Magnetic Recording Systems, Inc, will act as the exclusive distribution agent for the DDA product line. According to Wayne Erickson, Executive Vice President, "SiGlaz DDA software provides customers significant leverage on existing tester capital by increasing the timeliness and accuracy of detecting media process issues. The high throughput and high accuracy make it suitable for real-time disk grading."