Abstract: A combination user data signal is read from two or more inner tracks of a recording medium via a first reader that encompasses the inner tracks. First and second data signals are read from respective first and second outer tracks that surround the inner tracks via second and third co-planar readers that are on a same head-gimbal assembly as the first reader. The first reader is centered between and downtrack from the first and second co-planar readers on the read head. User data is recovered based on the combination user data signal and the first and second data signals.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for relaxing design constraints on magnetic recording media through the use of two-dimensional magnetic recording in a storage device. A storage device comprises a magnetic recording surface comprising a plurality of discrete storage locations formatted in an ordered pattern, the magnetic recording surface configured so that a single bit of data is stored in two or more of the discrete storage locations. The storage device further includes a read-write channel configured to utilize two-dimensional magnetic recording to read and write data to the magnetic recording surface.

Abstract: A storage media comprising a first storage subset with a first value of a storage media characteristic and a second storage subset with a second value of the storage media characteristic, the first value of a storage media characteristic being substantially different than the second value of the storage media characteristic and a storage controller configured to allocate a plurality of logical block addresses (LBAs) between the first storage subset and the second storage subset based on a predetermined criterion in view of the first value of the storage media characteristic and the second value of the storage media characteristic.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for utilizing multiple, wide readers to read narrow data tracks on a magnetic recording media in a storage device. A system for reading a data track on a magnetic recording media comprises a plurality of reader elements, the width of each reader element being an integer greater than 1 multiple of a width of the data tracks on the recording media. The system further comprises a multi-reader decoder module operably connected to the plurality of reader elements. Each of the reader elements is configured to read a magnetic signal from the magnetic recording media. The multi-reader decoder module is configured to receive a read signal from each of the reader elements, and decode the data on the data track based on the read signals from the reader elements.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for utilizing multiple, wide readers to read narrow data tracks on a magnetic recording media in a storage device. A system for reading a data track on a magnetic recording media comprises a plurality of reader elements, the width of each reader element being an integer greater than 1 multiple of a width of the data tracks on the recording media. The system further comprises a multi-reader decoder module operably connected to the plurality of reader elements. Each of the reader elements is configured to read a magnetic signal from the magnetic recording media. The multi-reader decoder module is configured to receive a read signal from each of the reader elements, and decode the data on the data track based on the read signals from the reader elements.

Abstract: A readback signal from a first reader and a readback signal from a second reader are received, the first reader and the second reader configured to read two-dimensional data from at least one track of a recording media. A quality metric of the second reader is measured based on the readback signal. It is determined if the quality metric for the second reader is above a threshold. If the quality metric is above the threshold, the first reader and the second reader are used to read the data.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for utilizing multiple, wide readers to read narrow data tracks on a magnetic recording media in a storage device. A system for reading a data track on a magnetic recording media comprises a plurality of reader elements and a multi-reader decoder module operably connected to the plurality of reader elements. Each of the reader elements is configured to read a magnetic signal from the magnetic recording media. Each reader element may be wider than a width of the data track on the recording media. The multi-reader decoder module is configured to receive a read signal from each of the reader elements, and decode the data on the data track based on the read signals from the reader elements.

Abstract: A readback signal from a first reader and a readback signal from a second reader are received, the first reader and the second reader configured to read two-dimensional data from at least one track of a recording media. A quality metric of the second reader is measured based on the readback signal. It is determined if the quality metric for the second reader is above a threshold. If the quality metric is above the threshold, the first reader and the second reader are used to read the data.

Abstract: A readback signal from a first reader and a readback signal from a second reader are received, the first reader and the second reader configured to read two-dimensional data from at least one track of a recording media. A quality metric of the second reader is measured based on the readback signal. It is determined if the quality metric for the second reader is above a threshold. If the quality metric is above the threshold, the first reader and the second reader are used to read the data.

Abstract: Host data to be written to a recording medium is categorized as one of sequential data or random data. The sequential data is written to a first track width on the recording medium. The random data is written to a second track width on the recording medium, the second track width being larger than the first track width.

Abstract: Apparatus for two dimensional data reading. In accordance with some embodiments, a magnetic read element has a plurality of read sensors positioned symmetrically about a pivot point with at least two of the read sensors configured to concurrently read two dimensional user data while being immune to skew angle misalignment.

Abstract: Host data to be written to a recording medium is categorized as one of sequential data or random data. The sequential data is written to a first track width on the recording medium. The random data is written to a second track width on the recording medium, the second track width being larger than the first track width.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for light source power control during the writing of data to a storage medium. In accordance with various embodiments, a data recording head is provided having a magnetic transducer and a light source. The light source is driven at a first power level to irradiate an adjacent storage medium prior to the writing if data to the medium using the magnetic transducer. The first power level is insufficient to alter a magnetization state of the medium. The light source is subsequently transitioned to a higher, second power level to irradiate the storage medium during the writing of data to said medium using the magnetic transducer, the second power level being sufficient to alter said magnetization state of the medium.

Abstract: Apparatus for two dimensional data reading. In accordance with some embodiments, a magnetic read element has a plurality of read sensors positioned symmetrically about a pivot point with at least two of the read sensors configured to concurrently read two dimensional user data while being immune to skew angle misalignment.

Abstract: An assembly and method to determine adjacent track coherence is disclosed. The assembly includes coherence circuitry configured to receive phase and frequency offsets from timing recovery circuitry and determine an inter-track phase and frequency coherence between the encoded data on a first track and the encoded data on a second track adjacent to the first track utilizing the frequency and phase offsets from the timing recovery circuitry for the output signals corresponding to the first and second tracks.

Abstract: A magnetic storage medium comprises a plurality of discrete magnetic elements and first and second adjoining servo sectors. Each of the servo sectors comprises first and second rows of the discrete magnetic elements extending in a track direction. The second row of the discrete magnetic elements are stacked relative to the discrete magnetic elements of the first row in a cross-track direction that is perpendicular to the track direction. The discrete magnetic elements of the first servo sector are staggered in the cross-track direction relative to the discrete magnetic elements of the second servo sector.

Abstract: Apparatus for two dimensional data reading. In accordance with some embodiments, a magnetic read element has a plurality of read sensors positioned symmetrically about a pivot point with at least two of the read sensors configured to concurrently read two dimensional user data while being immune to skew angle misalignment.

Abstract: Host data to be written to a recording medium is categorized as one of sequential data or random data. The sequential data is written to a first track width on the recording medium. The random data is written to a second track width on the recording medium, the second track width being larger than the first track width.

Abstract: A communication system includes a physical communication channel. A signal is transmitted across the communication channel from a transmit end of the channel to a receive end of the channel. A plurality of processing branches process the signal at the receive end of the communication channel. This reduces complexity of the receive channel, without reducing a bandwidth of the given communication channel, and without comprising performance.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for light source power control during the writing of data to a storage medium. In accordance with various embodiments, a data recording head is provided having a magnetic transducer and a light source. The light source is driven at a first power level to irradiate an adjacent storage medium prior to the writing if data to the medium using the magnetic transducer. The first power level is insufficient to alter a magnetization state of the medium. The light source is subsequently transitioned to a higher, second power level to irradiate the storage medium during the writing of data to said medium using the magnetic transducer, the second power level being sufficient to alter said magnetization state of the medium.