Abstract: An apparatus and method of identifying defective servo sectors in a data storage device detects servo sectors having an associated position error signal (PES) value that exceeds a predetermined PES threshold value, as well as servo sectors that have a related transducer velocity signal that exceeds a predetermined velocity threshold value.

Abstract: An information handling system, such as a disc drive, includes a base, a disc stack rotatably attached to the base, and an actuator assembly movably attached to the base. Attached to one end of the actuator assembly is one or more transducers. Attached to the other end of the actuator is a voice coil which forms a portion of a voice coil motor. Magnets attached to the base form the other portion of the voice coil motor. A current driver for the voice coil delivers an amount of current to the voice coil to move the actuator assembly. A force constant is a multiplier applied to the amplifier so that the output current to the voice coil produces a velocity output replicating the designed velocity output. The force constant is determined during the acceleration phase of the movement of the actuator and transducer. A velocity error signal is produced by comparing the actual velocity of the actuator and transducer to the demand velocity. The error signal can be based on one point in time or over a period of time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of identifying defective servo sectors in a data storage device detects servo sectors having an associated position error signal (PES) value that exceeds a predetermined PES threshold value, as well as servo sectors that have a related transducer velocity signal that exceeds a predetermined velocity threshold value.