Abstract: A method involves determining bit aspect ratios for interlaced tracks written to a magnetic recording medium. The interlaced tracks include top tracks that are written partially overlapping with bottom tracks. Isolated test tracks are written at first different bit aspect ratios to determine a top bit aspect ratio that achieves a first target areal density for the isolated test tracks. Test tracks are written at second different bit aspect ratios to determine a bottom bit aspect ratio that achieves a second target areal density for the test tracks. Top test tracks of the test tracks are written at the top bit aspect ratio. The top and bottom bit aspect ratios are selected to subsequently write partially-overlapping tracks on the magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A method involves determining bit aspect ratios for interlaced tracks written to a magnetic recording medium. The interlaced tracks include top tracks that are written partially overlapping with bottom tracks. Isolated test tracks are written at first different bit aspect ratios to determine a top bit aspect ratio that achieves a first target areal density for the isolated test tracks. Test tracks are written at second different bit aspect ratios to determine a bottom bit aspect ratio that achieves a second target areal density for the test tracks. Top test tracks of the test tracks are written at the top bit aspect ratio. The top and bottom bit aspect ratios are selected to subsequently write partially-overlapping tracks on the magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A method involves determining bit aspect ratios for interlaced tracks written to a magnetic recording medium. The interlaced tracks include top tracks that are written partially overlapping and interlaced with bottom tracks. Isolated test tracks are written at first different bit aspect ratios to determine a top bit aspect ratio that achieves a first target areal density for the isolated test tracks. Interlaced test tracks are written at second different bit aspect ratios to determine a bottom bit aspect ratio that achieves a second target areal density for the interlaced test tracks. Top test tracks of the interlaced test tracks are written at the top bit aspect ratio. The top and bottom bit aspect ratios are selected to subsequently write interlaced tracks on the magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for positioning shingled magnetic recording (SMR) tracks on a rotatable data storage medium. In some embodiments, a first band of partially overlapping tracks is written the medium at a first track pitch. An adjacent, second band of partially overlapping tracks is written to the medium at the first track pitch. The second band has a first written track at a second track pitch with respect to a last written track in the first band. The second track pitch is determined in response to an error rate established for a test track using an adjacent track written at the first track pitch.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for determining the linear storage density of data tracks on a recording media of a storage device while compensating for segments of the recording media with poor bit-error rates. The sectors of the data track are grouped into a plurality of segments and a bits-per-inch capability (“BPIC”) value is determined for each of the plurality of segments based on a target bit-error rate. The lowest segment BPIC value from amongst the plurality of segments is then determined as well as an average BPIC value for the entire data track. The final BPI value for the data track is determined based on the average BPIC value and the lowest segment BPIC value.