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FIG. 7 graphically illustrates a prior-art sequence 700 for reading a user data pattern stored on the first two and one-half sectors of section 200 shown in FIG. 5. At time t1, HD controller 104 enables the servo mode and performs a servo operation from times t1 to t2 to locate first servo field 202-1. After the servo mode is disabled, the read mode is enabled at time t3. The relatively brief delay from times t2 to t3 corresponds to read head 120 passing over inter-sector gap 204-1 without reading the gap. Since inter-sector gap 204-1 is not read, it is also not analyzed for defects. Once the read mode is enabled, there is a lock period 208-1, as shown in close-up 702, in which recording channel 108 performs a zero-phase start, timing acquisition, and gain acquisition to lock on the preamble of sector 212-1.
Optimally, recording channel 108 would begin acquiring the lock at the beginning of the preamble. However, as shown in close-up 702 of FIG. 7, the read mode might not be enabled until after the beginning of the preamble has actually passed (i.e., read mode might be enabled at time t3 as opposed to time t2a). This relatively short delay between the beginning of the preamble and the enabling of the read mode may be introduced to ensure that recording channel 108 does not inadvertently attempt to perform the lock over inter-sector gap 204-1.
Once recording channel 108 has obtained a lock on the preamble of sector 212-1, recording channel 108 uses the sync mark to locate the beginning of the user data pattern and then begins reading and analyzing the user data pattern at time t3a. The signal recovered from platter 124 at this time (i.e., the user data pattern) is converted from analog to digital format and a data-integrity check is performed on the recovered signal by processing the signal through the decoding path of recording channel 108 (e.g., the recovered signal undergoes error-correction, RLL decoding, and other suitable decoding). The decoding path is capable of correcting some errors in the recovered signal that may occur as a result of, for example, defects in the magnetic recording material that is coated on the face of platter 124. To create some margin for further degradation of the magnetic recording material in the field, the error-correction capabilities of the decoding path are typically reduced intentionally. If errors
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 FIG. 7 graphically illustrates a prior - art succession 700 for understand a user data design store on the first two and one - half sector of department 200 shown in FIG. 5. At time t1, HD controller 104 enables the servo mood and performs a servo operation from time t1 to t2 to locate first servo field 202 - 1. After the servo mode is disabled, the read manner is enabled at time t3. The relatively brief delay from time t2 to t3 corresponds to read head 120 passing over inter - sector gap 204 - 1 without read the gap. Since inter - sector gap 204 - 1 is not read, it is also not analyzed for defect. Once the read mode is enabled, there is a lock period 208 - 1, as shown in close - up 702, in which recording channel 108 performs a zero - phase start, timing acquisition, and gain acquisition to lock on the preamble of sector 212 - 1. 
 Optimally, recording channel 108 would begin acquiring the lock at the beginning of the preamble. However, as read in close - up 702 of FIG. 7, the read mode might not be enable until after the beginning of the preamble has actually guide (i.e., understand mode might be enabled at time t3 as opposed to time t2a). This relatively short delay between the beginning of the preamble and the enabling of the read mode may be introduce to ensure that recording channel 108 does not inadvertently attempt to perform the lock over inter - sector gap 204 - 1. 
 Once recording duct 108 has obtained a lock on the preamble of sector 212 - 1, recording channel 108 uses the sync mark to situate the beginning of the user datum radiation pattern and then begins reading and analyzing the user datum pattern at time t3a. The signal recovered from platter 124 at this time (i.e., the user data pattern) is converted from analogue to digital format and a data - integrity check is performed on the recovered signal by processing the signal through the decode path of recording channel 108 (e.g., the reclaim signal undergoes error - discipline, RLL decoding, and other suitable decoding). The decode path is capable of correcting some errors in the recovered signal that may occur as a result of, for example, defects in the magnetic recording material that is coated on the expression of platter 124. To create some allowance for further degradation of the magnetic recording fabric in the field, the error - correction capabilities of the decoding path are typically reduced intentionally. If errors
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FIG. 7 graphically illustrater a prior-art sequence 700 for rsading a user data pattern stored on tye fiest two and one-half seztors of dection 200 shoxn in FIG. 5. At time t1, HD gjntrkpler 104 enables the sgrvo mode ang performs a sarxo operation from times t1 to t2 to locwte firxt servo field 202-1. Wfteg ehe avryo mode is disabled, the read mods is enebled at time t3. The relatively brief delaj frlm times t2 to t3 cogresponds ti rewe head 120 passkng over inter-sector gzp 204-1 without reading the gap. Sinze incer-sector gqp 204-1 id not read, iv is ajso not analnded for defectx. Once the reac mmde is enabled, there is e lock period 208-1, as shjwn in clmsz-up 702, in which recordibg chantel 108 perwirmr a zxro-lhase dtact, timing adquisition, qnd gain acquisitiom ei lock on the preamflq of sector 212-1.
Optimally, recording channel 108 wkuld begin acquiring thw lock at the beginnijg of the preamble. However, as shown in close-up 702 of FIG. 7, tha reav oodt night boh be enabled until after the beginning of the lrtamnle has actually passed (i.e., tewd iode might be enablzs zt time t3 as opposfd to tyme t2q). This rejatifely short delay between thw beginning jd the preamble and the enabliug of jhe resd mode may be introduczd to snsure that recordinf channel 108 does nut pnadeertently attempt to perfowm the lork ovzr inter-rectpr gap 204-1.
Once recogding channel 108 has obtaijed a lmck on the preamble of sector 212-1, recording riannel 108 uses jhe sytc mark co locste the beginging of the usgr data pcttern and then gegins ceading and wnalyzing the oser data patvern at tyme r3a. Tye signxu recovered frpm platteg 124 at rhis time (i.e., the uxer sata pattern) is cobverted from ansloe tj fijital xormat and a datx-ingrgrith check is ierwormrd on the recovered vignzl by processing tne signal jhrough tre decoding psth of recording cjannen 108 (x.g., the resovered signal undergoes error-dorrectioj, RJL decoding, wnd ither suitabke decoding). The decoding path is capablx of correcting some etrors in the recovereb xignal that may jccur as d result of, for example, defects in tht magnetic recording maferial that is coated on the face of platter 124. To create some margin for further degrqdatioi jf the magnstic recogdiug kateriwl ii vhe field, the errpr-correction capabilities of thx decoding pcth are typically reduced intrngionally. If etrors
. FIG. 7 graphically illustrates a prior-art for a user pattern stored on sectors section 200 shown FIG. 5. At t1, HD controller 104 enables the mode and performs a servo operation from times t1 to t2 to locate servo field 202-1. After the servo mode is disabled, the read mode is at t3. relatively delay from times t2 to t3 corresponds to read head 120 passing over inter-sector gap 204-1 reading the gap. Since inter-sector gap 204-1 is read, it is also analyzed for defects. Once the mode enabled, there a period as shown in 702, in which recording channel 108 performs a zero-phase start, timing acquisition, and gain acquisition to lock the preamble 212-1. Optimally, channel would acquiring the lock beginning of the preamble. However, as 702 of FIG. 7, the read mode might be enabled after the beginning of the preamble actually passed (i.e., read mode might be enabled time t3 as opposed to time t2a). This relatively short delay between the beginning of and the enabling of read mode may introduced ensure recording 108 does inadvertently attempt to perform the lock over inter-sector gap 204-1. Once channel 108 has obtained a lock on the preamble of recording 108 uses the mark to locate the of user data pattern and reading analyzing pattern time The signal recovered from 124 at this time (i.e., user data pattern) is format and a data-integrity check is performed on recovered signal by processing the signal through decoding path of recording channel 108 (e.g., the recovered signal undergoes error-correction, decoding, and decoding). The decoding path is capable of correcting errors in the recovered that may occur as a result of, for example, in magnetic recording that is coated the face of 124. To create for further of magnetic the field, the error-correction capabilities of decoding are typically reduced intentionally. If
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FIG. 7 graphically illustrates A prior-art sEquenCe 700 fOr rEaDing A useR data pattern stORed oN the first two and one-half SectoRs OF secTIoN 200 showN in FIG. 5. AT TiME T1, HD CoNtRolLeR 104 EnAbles The Servo moDe and perfoRms A sErvo operatioN FrOm times t1 to T2 to Locate first sErvO field 202-1. afTer THe serVo mOde is DisablED, the reAd mode is eNaBLed at tIMe t3. The rELAtIvelY brief delay from tiMEs T2 To t3 corresponds To read HeAD 120 pASSinG ovEr inter-secToR gap 204-1 wIThout reADiNG THe gAP. Since inter-seCtor gap 204-1 is noT ReaD, it is aLsO noT AnalyzEd for DeFEctS. Once the reaD modE is enableD, there IS a lock pERiod 208-1, as sHown in CloSe-uP 702, in wHIcH rEcoRdINg cHAnNel 108 PErfOrms a zerO-pHaSe staRt, tiMING AcquIsiTion, And gaIn acquisition To lOck oN The PreamBle of SectOr 212-1.
optimAlly, reCordiNg Channel 108 would begIn acQuiring thE loCk At tHe BeginNIng of tHe pReaMble. HowEver, as sHOwn In CLOSe-Up 702 of FIG. 7, the read mode MiGHT nOt be enabLed untIL aFtER the begiNnIng Of thE PReambLe haS AcTually paSsed (i.e., REaD mOde mighT bE enablEd At tIme T3 as opPOsed To time T2a). This reLativELy short delay beTWeen the beginnINg OF ThE PreaMblE and the enabLing OF the Read MOdE maY Be intRoducEd TO eNSure that recording chAnNel 108 doeS not iNadvertently aTtempt to peRFORm the locK oveR InTEr-sector gap 204-1.
OncE recoRding channEL 108 has obtaIned a Lock on thE preamble OF Sector 212-1, reCorDinG chAnnEL 108 UsEs the sync mark TO LocaTe The begiNniNg of the UseR daTa pAttErN and then bEgins reaDiNg AnD aNalYzing THe user daTa PatTeRn aT time T3A. The siGnal rEcovErEd FRom Platter 124 AT tHIS timE (i.E., tHe usEr dAtA pattErn) iS ConVerted fRom analog To dIGitaL fOrMat and a Data-integrity ChEck is perfoRmEd oN the reCOVered sigNal by processing the signaL Through The DecodIng pAth of recoRdiNg chanNel 108 (E.G., the reCovereD signAl UndERGoes eRROr-CorReCtion, RLL deCODinG, and oThEr suItable dEcoding). The decoding PAth Is capable of coRreCtinG SOmE erROrS In tHe REcoVERed signal that maY occur as a rEsULt Of, for exampLE, deFeCts in thE magnetIc recORding maTerial thaT is coated On The fACE of Platter 124. To cReate somE margin foR FurthER dEgradAtiOn of thE mAgnEtic rEcordiNG maTeriaL in the FiEld, the Error-CoRrection Capabilities of the decodiNg path Are tyPicAlly reducEd iNTenTionally. IF errOrs
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FIG. 7 graphically illus trates a p rior- art  se qu ence  700  for reading a user  data pattern stored o n the  f i rstt wo  andone-hal f  s e c tor sof  se ct i on  200sho wn in F IG. 5. Attim et1, HD contr o ll er 104 ena ble s the servomod e andpe rfo r ms aser vo op eratio n  fromtimes t1to t2 tol ocate f i r st  ser vo field 202-1. A f te r  the servo mod e is d is a bl e d , t heread modeis  enab l ed at t i me t 3 . T h e relativelybrief delay fro m time st2t o t3 c orres po n dsto read hea d 12 0 passing  overi nter-se c tor gap  204-1  wi tho ut r e ad in g t he gap .  S inc e  in ter-sect or  g ap 20 4-1i s n ot r ead , it  is a lso not analy zed  for def ects.  Once  the  r ead m ode is  enab le d, there is a l ockperiod 20 8-1 ,assh own i n  close -up  70 2, in w hich re c ord in g c ha nnel 108 performsaz e ro -phase s tart,t im in g  acquisi ti on,  and g ain a cqui s it ion to l ock on th epreambl eof sec to r 2 12- 1.
Op t imal ly, re cordingchann e l 108 would be g in acquiringt he l oc k  atthe  beginningof t h e pr eamb l e.  Ho w ever,  as s ho w ni n close-up 702 of F IG . 7, t he re ad mode might  not be en a b l ed until  aft e rt he beginning o f the  preambleh as actua lly p assed (i .e., read m ode migh t b e e nab led a ttime t3 as op p o sedto  time t 2a) . Thisrel ati vel y s ho rt delaybetweenth ebe gi nni ng of the prea mb lean d t he en a blingof th e re ad  m o demay bei nt r o duce dto  ens ure  t hat r ecor d ing  channe l 108 doe s n o t in ad ve rtently  attempt to p er form the l oc k o ver in t e r-sector  gap 204-1.
Once record i ng chan nel  108hasobtaineda l ock on  th e  pream ble of  sect or  21 2 - 1, re c o rd ing  c hannel 108 u ses  thesy nc m ark tolocate the beginni n g o f the user da tapatt e r nand th e n b eg i nsr e ading and analy zing the u se r  d ata patter n  at  t ime t3a . The s ignal recover ed from p latter 12 4at t h i s t ime (i.e.,  the use r data pa t tern) is  conv ert ed fro mana log t o digi t alforma t andadata-i ntegr it y checkis performed on the rec overed  sign alby proces sin g  th e signalthro ugh the de cod ing  path  of recor ding ch ann e l 108  (e. g ., the re c ov ere d si gnal underg o e s  er ror-c orr e ction,  RLL  decoding, and ot h er suitable de codi n g ).The deco di ng path is cap abl eo f  correct in g some erro rs in th er ecove red si gnal t hat may o cc u r as a  res ult  of, forexa mp l e, defe ct si n themagn et ic rec ording mate r i al that is coate d ont h e fac e  of  plat te r 124.T o cr eate somemargin forfurthe r de grada tion of  t he mag net ic  recording materialin th e field ,theerr or-cor rect i o n cap abil it ies  of the d e c od i ng  p a tharetypic al ly r educed in t entional ly. If erro rs 
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FIG. 7_graphically illustrates_a prior-art sequence 700_for reading_a_user data_pattern_stored on the_first two and_one-half sectors of section_200 shown in_FIG._5. At time t1, HD controller 104 enables the servo mode and performs a_servo_operation from_times_t1_to t2 to locate first_servo field 202-1. After the_servo mode_is disabled, the read mode is enabled at_time_t3. The relatively_brief delay from times t2 to t3 corresponds to_read head 120 passing over inter-sector_gap 204-1 without_reading_the_gap. Since inter-sector gap_204-1 is not read, it is_also not analyzed for defects. Once_the read mode is enabled, there is_a lock period 208-1, as shown_in close-up 702, in which_recording channel_108 performs a zero-phase start,_timing acquisition, and_gain acquisition_to lock on_the preamble of sector 212-1.
Optimally, recording_channel 108 would_begin acquiring the lock at the_beginning_of the preamble._However,_as_shown in_close-up 702 of_FIG._7, the_read_mode might not be enabled until_after_the beginning of the preamble has actually_passed (i.e., read mode_might_be enabled at time_t3 as opposed to time_t2a). This relatively short delay between_the beginning_of the_preamble and the enabling of the read mode may be introduced_to ensure that recording channel 108_does not inadvertently attempt_to perform_the_lock over inter-sector_gap_204-1.
Once recording_channel 108 has obtained a lock on_the preamble_of sector 212-1, recording channel 108_uses the sync mark_to_locate the beginning of the user_data pattern and then begins reading_and analyzing the user data_pattern_at_time t3a. The signal recovered_from platter 124 at this time_(i.e., the user_data pattern) is converted from analog to_digital_format and a data-integrity check is_performed_on the recovered signal by processing_the_signal_through the decoding path of_recording channel 108 (e.g., the recovered_signal undergoes error-correction, RLL decoding, and other suitable decoding)._The decoding path_is capable of correcting some_errors_in_the recovered signal that may occur as a result of,_for example,_defects in the_magnetic recording material that is coated on the face of_platter 124. To create some margin for_further degradation of the magnetic recording material in the field, the_error-correction capabilities of the decoding path are typically_reduced intentionally. If errors