Abstract: A data storage device with improved data storage densities, coupled with lower hard error and write-inhibit events is described. A feed-forward write inhibit (FFWI) method enables data tracks to be written more densely. Alternatively, the FFWI method may reduce the hard error and write inhibit events to improve data storage performance. A concept of virtual tracks enables the FFWI method to be applied to the writing of circular data tracks with non-circular servo tracks, or to the writing of non-circular data tracks with PES data from circular servo tracks—in both cases, improvements to performance and/or storage densities are enabled. The FFWI method may also be applied to the case of both non-circular servo and data tracks.

Abstract: A hard disk drive (HDD) has a high track misregistration (TMR) mode of writing data. If the position error signal (PES) from the servo positioning information exceeds a first write inhibit threshold (WI-1), writing is not inhibited but a high TMR mode of operation is enabled. In high TMR mode, prior to writing data to the target track, the data on the adjacent tracks is read and stored in a buffer. The data to be written to the target track is also stored in the buffer, and is flagged to indicate that the data needs to be written. The data is then written to the target track. However, if during writing the PES exceeds a second threshold (WI-2), then the data from the adjacent encroached track in the buffer is flagged for writing and the process repeated with the encroached track set as the target track.

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: According to one embodiment, there is provided an information recording device that records information on a magnetic disk using a magnetic head. The registering module registers position data of a temporary defective sector using a sector where an off-track has occurred as a temporary defective sector. The reading module reads data from a target track. The cancellation processing module performs inter-track interference component cancellation processing with respect to the data read by the reading module using data written to a track adjacent to the target track, in which when a sector adjacent to a processing target sector in a track width direction is a temporary defective sector registered in the registering module, inter-track interference component cancellation processing is performed using data written to a substitute sector corresponding to the registered temporary defective sector.

Abstract: A magnetic disk device according to one embodiment includes: a disturbance vibration detector; a movement position controller; and a disturbance compensation module. The disturbance vibration detector detects a disturbance vibration component with respect to a fine-movement actuator. The movement position controller drives each of the fine-movement actuator and a coarse-movement actuator to control a movement position of a magnetic head. The disturbance compensation module corrects the movement position so as to suppress the disturbance vibration component detected by the disturbance vibration detector.

Abstract: A magnetic recording system configured for recording to a bit patterned media using both hypertrack recording and shingled recording. The magnetic recording system includes a write pole with a notched trailing edge that results in a write bubble with a trailing edge that has two outer convex lobes separated by a centrally disposed concave region. By locating one of the lobes over first and second data tracks of a hypertrack, a proper alignment of the relative phase of the two tracks can be maintained. Further adjustment to the alignment can be achieved by adjusting the radial location of the write head.

Abstract: A method of self servo-writing servo information to a plurality of disk surfaces in a disk drive that includes writing servo information to a plurality of disk surfaces in a first direction, writing servo information to a plurality of disk surfaces in a second direction, and determining an amount of overlap to be written on a reference surface with the reference head that will produce an overlap of servo information on each of the surfaces in the disk drive to which servo information is to be written. The method also includes switching to different tables when seeking across the overlap or border areas.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for robust servo patterns that comply with planarization constraints and also allow use of a single master template for manufacture of both the front and back of a magnetic disk. Planarization constraints are met because only a portion of servo data is hard patterned on the magnetic disk and the hard patterned servo data areas comply with planarization constraints. The servo pattern has two symmetrical servo write assist patterns, one on each side of a central burst pattern. The servo sync, SAM, track-ID, sector-ID, and/or RRO values can be written magnetically by the write head onto these servo write assist patterns after the completion of the planarization process. The symmetric design of the servo pattern allows both a left-to-right and a right-to-left servo write and read back, thereby enabling use of a single master template in magnetic disk manufacture.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk comprising a plurality of data tracks, wherein the head comprises a write element and a read element. An asperity in a target data track is detected, and a range of data tracks proximate the target data track is mapped out, wherein the range of data tracks spans at least twice a radial offset between the read element and the write element at the radial location of the target data track.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a disk storage apparatus includes a write module and a controller. The write module is configured to move a write head over a disk, and to perform the shingled write method, recording data in the first track while erasing data from a part of the second, i.e., adjacent track. The controller is configured to acquire a first head positioning error with respect to the first track and a second head positioning error with respect to the second track. If the first head positioning error exceeds an off-track threshold value, indicating that the data may no longer be maintained in the first and second tracks, the controller inhibits the data writing.

Abstract: A multi-stage tracking control system includes at least a main actuator and a microactuator. The tracking control system is switched to a single-stage mode so that the main actuator alone provides tracking. A disturbance signal is applied to the microactuator while in the single-stage mode, and a failure condition of the microactuator is determined based on a position error generated in response to the disturbance signal.

Abstract: A method of operation of a data storage system includes: providing a disk having a reference servo; and positioning a read/write head over the disk with the reference servo including: collecting a raw phase error, estimating a phase delay error, estimating an estimated written-in error with the phase delay error subtracted from the raw phase error, calculating a remaining error based on the estimated written-in error, and adjusting a self-servo-writing clock based on the remaining error.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a servo controller of a magnetic disk drive includes a microactuator (MA) estimator, VCM actuator (VCMA) controller, a filter and an adder. The MA estimator estimates a first displacement of an MA from a control input to be provided to the MA. The VCMA controller controls a VCMA based on a positioning error between a target track and a first position of the VCMA. The first position is estimated from a position of a head and the first displacement. The filter estimates a second position of the VCMA corresponding to a delay in a displacement of the MA caused by hysteresis of the MA, from a state of the VCMA in a seek operation, and estimates a second displacement that is the delayed displacement of the MA, from the second position. The adder adds the second displacement to an input to the MA controller.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for recovering data from a storage medium. As an example, a data recovery circuit is disclosed that includes: a controller circuit, a data processing circuit, a selector circuit, and a combining circuit. The controller circuit is operable to position a sensor over a track of the storage medium at a first distance from the center of the track to yield a first data set, and to position the sensor over the track of the storage medium at a second distance from the center of the track to yield a second data set. The data processing circuit is operable to process a processing data set, and the selector circuit is operable to select between the first data set and a combined data set as the processing data set. The combining circuit is operable to combine the first data set with at least the second data set to yield the combined data set.

Abstract: Cross-track deviation of a writer from a predetermined track on a recording medium is detected. A write current is adjusted based on the cross-track deviation of the writer from the predetermined track. The adjusted write current is applied to the writer to compensate for the cross-track deviation of the writer from the predetermined track.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information recording device includes: a recording controller configured to control recording of information on a magnetic recording medium having tracks by a recording method; a managing module configured to manage two or more counters corresponding to each of plural track groups that are adjacent to each other; an updating module configured to update a count of one of the two or more counters corresponding to a second track group that is adjacent to a first track group of the plural track groups when information has been recorded on the first track group; a determining module configured to determine an attribute of the second track group based on the updated count of the one counter; and a rewriting module configured to rewrite information recorded in the second track group based on the determined attribute.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing. For example, some embodiments of the present invention provide data processing circuits that include a variable gain amplifier circuit, an analog to digital conversion circuit, a cosine component calculation circuit, a sine calculation circuit, and a zero gain start calculation circuit. The variable gain amplifier circuit is operable to apply a gain to a data input corresponding to a gain feedback value and providing an amplified output. The analog to digital conversion circuit is operable to convert the amplified output to a corresponding series of digital samples. The cosine component calculation circuit is operable to calculate a cosine component from the series of digital samples, and the sine component calculation circuit operable to calculate a sine component from the series of digital samples.

Abstract: Various approaches that reduce the width variability of storage media data tracks are described. First and second data tracks are written so that the second track overlaps the first track. After writing the second track data to the second track, an effective width of the first track is determined. The effective width of the first track is the portion of the first track that is not overlapped by the second track. One or more additional write operations to the recording medium are performed to compensate for the effective width of the first track being less than a threshold. The additional write operations may include one or more of rewriting the first track data to a third track on the storage medium and writing additional redundancy information to supplement the coding of the first track data.

Abstract: A storage medium has a first servo field having magnetic lands separated by nonmagnetic areas, the magnetic lands of the first servo field having a unipolar pattern. The medium further includes a second servo field having magnetic lands separated by nonmagnetic areas, the magnetic lands of the second servo field having a bipolar pattern.

Abstract: A storage system includes a first buffer configured to store a first repeatable runout profile (RRP) for a sector of a rotating storage medium. A second buffer is configured to store a second RRP for the sector. A controller: controls a servo of the rotating storage medium based on the first RRP during a first revolution of the rotating storage medium; and learns the second RRP (i) while operating in a track-following mode, and (ii) during the first revolution. The controller ceases learning of the second RRP when one of (i) the controller is operating in a seek mode and (ii) the rotating storage medium is in an off-track state. Subsequent to the first revolution of the rotating storage medium and based on whether the learning of the second RRP was stopped during the first revolution, the controller replaces the first RRP with the second RRP in the first buffer.

Abstract: Patterned discrete track magnetic media compatible with the constraints imposed by the use of self-assembly technology are described in which the PES servo portion of each servo sector has at least one offset segment used for the position error signal (PES). The downtrack length of the PES offset segment systematically varies according to the track position to encode information about the track position usable by the servo system. The downtrack length of the offset segment and, therefore, the time between the corresponding signal shifts is systematically varied from the inner diameter (ID) to the outer diameter (OD) according to the track position to provide coarse information to the servo system even if part of the track ID code cannot be read. Alternative embodiments include a preamble timing mark formed by another offset segment. A self-servo writing method is described using the preamble timing marks.

Abstract: Patterned magnetic media are described in which the servo sectors include at least two PES offset segments that can be used for the position error signal (PES) and identification of local track position. The two PES offset segments deviate from the track centerline in opposite directions. The lengths of the offset PES offset segments are systematically varied in a repeating pattern to provide a unique servo signal pattern for each track in a local group of adjacent tracks. The locally unique servo sector pattern allows the servo system to use the pattern of the signals generated from the offset and non-offset segments to determine the local track position, which is similar to information provided by the low order Gray code bits in prior art designs. Therefore, the number of bits in the track ID code can be reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spin torque oscillator that can realize stable oscillation and has high reliability. A laminated structure including a first magnetic layer 1 having a bcc crystal structure and having in-plane magnetic anisotropy and a second magnetic layer 2 having perpendicular magnetic anisotropy laminated on the first magnetic layer 1 and including a multilayer film of Co and Ni is used.

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: According to one embodiment, a magnetic disk device includes a magnetic disk, a magnetic head, a position error signal output module, a vibration pattern detector, an adder, and a head positioning controller. The magnetic head moves over the magnetic disk. The position error signal output module outputs a position error signal based on a difference between a head position of the magnetic head over the magnetic disk and a target position on the magnetic disk. The vibration pattern detector detects a vibration pattern of the magnetic head caused by vibration. The adder adds the position error signal to an offset signal indicating amplitude of the vibration pattern. The head positioning controller moves the head position to the target position based on a result of addition by the adder.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a recording device comprises: a recording medium, an arm, a positioning module, a self-servo write clock generator, and an on-track module. The positioning module positions the arm at a position at which the electromagnetic transducer detects a rotational synchronization component of an intermediate pattern comprised in the recording medium. The self-servo write clock generator generates a self-servo write clock based on the detected rotational synchronization component. The on-track module positions the electromagnetic transducer to the intermediate pattern serving as a position for starting self-servo write based on the generated self-servo write clock. Until the on-track module appropriately completes the positioning, the self-servo write clock generator sequentially changes a decoding gate interval corresponding to the intermediate pattern in accordance with the rotational synchronization component, and captures a spiral reproduction waveform.

Abstract: A disk-enclosure cover for a low-profile, hard-disk drive (HDD). The disk-enclosure cover includes a substantially flat, plate-like portion that includes a periphery, and a peripheral flange that is disposed at the periphery. The peripheral flange includes a recessed portion that is configured to be recessed from a SATA connector in proximity to the SATA connector. In addition, the recessed portion is configured to allow a top portion of the SATA connector to be disposed in close proximity to the peripheral flange when the SATA connector is seated on a receiving connector of the low-profile HDD.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic disk device is configured to read data from and write data to a magnetic disk using a magnetic head and provided with a control module that controls initial operation of the magnetic disk device according to initial firmware. The magnetic disk device includes a reader, a retainer, a blocker, and a switch. The reader reads control firmware stored in the magnetic disk. The retainer fixes a servo control amount for the magnetic head after the control firmware is read, and retains the magnetic head at a predetermined position above the magnetic disk. The blocker blocks input of an interrupt signal to the control module. The switch switches the initial firmware to the control firmware after the servo control amount is fixed and the input of an interrupt signal is blocked.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention implements some or all major servo subfunctions for a storage device in integrated servo fields comprising sequences of encoded bits having selected mathematical properties. The integrated servo field is composed of a number of encoded sequences, which are members of a selected sequence set that is constrained to preferably provide some or all of the following functions: the Servo Track Mark (STM), the Position Error Signal (PES) and positional information such as the track-ID. In one embodiment the plurality sequences encoding a location identifier such as a track-ID are distributed across a set of servo wedges. A method of encoding the location identifier using a Chinese Remainder Theorem is described.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention implements some or all major servo subfunctions for a storage device in integrated servo fields comprising sequences of encoded bits having selected mathematical properties. The integrated servo field is composed of a number of encoded sequences, which are members of a selected sequence set that is constrained to preferably provide some or all of the following functions: the Servo Track Mark (STM), the Position Error Signal (PES) and positional information such as the track-ID. The integrated servo fields can provide a Position Error Signal (PES) in relation to the center of a data track through the amplitude of the signal read for adjacent sequences. The servo system detects the sequences in the signal from the read head using a set of digital filters for the set of encoded sequences.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention implements some or all major servo subfunctions for a storage device in integrated servo fields comprising sequences of encoded bits having selected mathematical properties. The integrated servo field is composed of a number of encoded sequences, which are members of a selected sequence set that is constrained to preferably provide some or all of the following functions: the Servo Track Mark (STM), the Position Error Signal (PES) and location information such as the track-ID. The juxtaposition of sequences in the servo wedges is additionally constrained to increase the detectability of the contribution of adjacent sequences in the read signal. The integrated servo fields can provide a Position Error Signal (PES) in relation to the center of a data track through the amplitude of the signal read for adjacent sequences.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a disk drive includes an actuator, a servo controller, a calculation module and an adjustment module. The actuator is configured to move the head over a disk, in the radial direction of the disk. The servo controller is configured to make the head move along a target orbit on the disk, in accordance with the distance the actuator has been moved. The calculation module is configured to calculate, as disk runout, a virtual target orbit value supplied to the servo controller to suppress the disturbance at the target orbit. The adjustment module is configured to multiply the virtual target orbit value by a gain that has been preset.

Abstract: A magnetic recording disk drive has a disk with a head positioning servo pattern of multiple circumferentially-spaced chevron patterns of discrete patterned servo islands. The disk drive has servo electronics that decodes the chevron patterns to determine the absolute radial position of the head without the need for separate track identification fields. The chevron pattern with the smallest radial period has a radial period P1 and each of the other chevron patterns has a period which is a unique multiple of P1. In one embodiment the first chevron pattern read by the head has period P1 and each successive chevron pattern read by the head has a period that is greater than the period of the chevron pattern immediately preceding it such that the period of each chevron pattern progressively increases.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for writing magnetization states in magnetic islands of a multi-level patterned magnetic recording medium with more than two recording levels and a method and apparatus for reading readback waveforms representing written magnetization states of the magnetic islands in the multi-level patterned magnetic recording medium. Writing each magnetization state includes selecting the magnetization state, determining a write current sufficient to write the magnetization state, and applying the write current to a magnetic write head to write the magnetization state, including simultaneously writing associated magnetic states in each magnetic island of at least one pair of magnetic islands. Reading the readback waveform representing a written magnetization state is implemented through use of a magnetic read head and includes: identifying the written magnetization state by decoding the readback waveform; and displaying and/or recording the written magnetization state.

Abstract: A hard disk drive with a circuit that can perform a seek routine by providing a seek current to a voice coil motor. The voice coil motor is coupled to a head that is coupled to a disk. The seek current provides a predetermined number of harmonics. The number of harmonics is a function of a seek length of the seek routine. By way of example, the seek current may include only a first harmonic for seek lengths less than 20,000 tracks, or only the first and second harmonics for seeks less than 40,000 tracks. The harmonics can be determined by plotting PES settle versus seek length for a hard disk drive.

Abstract: At time to start learning feed-forward control and under the status that servo-drive is not put in execution, a positioning error of repeatable runout is detected by means of a positioning error of repeatable runout operation section and on the basis of a value of the positioning error of repeatable runout, a drive pattern and drive interval of idling are determined by means of a feed-forward data operation section. The drive pattern is stored in a feed-forward data memory and is outputted as feed-forward data in synchronism with the rotation of a spindle during drive interval, thus performing idling of a fine-movement actuator. After the idling has ended, control initiation sequence is resumed to carry out learning of feed-forward control.

Abstract: In described embodiments, effects of frequency and phase error introduced at the outer diameter or inner diameter of the disk when a read head is used to maintain timing lock while the write head is used to write new data might be eliminated with a simple compensation circuit. Compensation circuits, modules or methods receive as input information i) write head radial position (e.g., from a wedge number that indicates the circumferential position of the heads), and ii) read head and write head relative physical offset.

Abstract: A method for writing servo sector sets that include a plurality of separate servo sectors on a disk so that servo sectors are present at same circumferential positions but different radial positions. The method includes reading a first servo sector set in a track with a read element such that the track includes first, second and third servo sector sets. The method also includes writing the third servo sector set with a write element at a different radial position from the read element with positional control and timing control using the first servo sector set while skipping the second servo sector set if all servo sectors of the first servo sector set are non-defective. Moreover, the method includes using positional control and timing control using the second servo sector set in the writing of the third servo sector set if the first servo sector set includes a defective servo sector.

Abstract: Data is written to a hard disk drive using shingled writing principles, i.e., each data track is partially overwritten when an immediately contiguous data track is written. One or more contiguous data tracks establish a hand, and a band establishes a respective segment in a log-structured file system.

Abstract: A servo control system configured to position a head in accordance with position error signals between servo data on a disk read by the head in a servo sampling cycle and a target position. The system includes a plurality of adaptive peak filters connected in parallel configured to filter the position error signals and configured to change filter coefficients adaptively, and an estimator configured to estimate head vibration caused by disturbances using the servo data read by the head. The system further includes a selector configured to select a portion of the plurality of adaptive peak filters at preset occasions, and a setter configured to update coefficient settings of the portion of the adaptive peak filters selected by the selector in accordance with an estimation by the estimator.

Abstract: A disk drive comprising a head for accessing a disk, an actuator for moving the head in the radial direction of the disk and a controller. The controller for servo control of the actuator based on servo data read out from the disk by the head. The controller is configured for maintaining a width of the adaptive chasing notch filter below a specified value in servo system control and estimating an oscillation frequency of the actuator.

Abstract: A bit-patterned magnetic media (BPM) includes with respect to each data track a first sub-track and a second sub-track, each sub-track comprised of a plurality of bit-islands. A transducer head placed over a data track generates a readback signal. Channel response circuitry demodulates the readback signal and detects fine positioning information based on a comparison of a readback signal generated in response to the first sub-track and a readback signal generated in response to the second sub-track.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a servo pattern writing method includes: moving a head from a first one of innermost and outermost circumferences of a medium to the remainder other than the first one while controlling a position of the head in accordance with a temporary pattern preliminarily written on the medium; calculating a junction between a servo pattern to be written from the innermost circumference and a servo pattern to be written from the outermost circumference based on a movement distance of the head; first writing the servo pattern from a second one of the innermost and outermost circumferences to the junction, while controlling the position of the head in accordance with the temporary pattern; and second writing the servo pattern from the remainder other than the second one to the junction, while controlling the position of the head in accordance with the temporary pattern.

Abstract: A method to position a head module, where the head module comprises at least one servo element and a plurality of data elements, where the servo element and each of the plurality of data elements can detect a servo signal, wherein the method includes moving a sequential information storage medium having a servo band encoded therein across the head module and detecting the servo band using the at least one servo element or any one of the plurality of data elements.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an actuator arm includes a joint, an extension, a pair of outer surfaces, and a linear protrusion. The joint is rotatably supported on a shaft. The extension extends from the joint and has a tip end connected to a head that performs at least reading or writing with respect to a rotating disk recording medium. The outer surfaces are in a front-and-rear relationship with each other. At least one of the outer surfaces faces the disk recording medium. The linear protrusion is arranged on and extends along an edge of at least one of the outer surfaces. The edge is located upstream on the outer surfaces in a flowing direction of an air flow generated by the rotation of the disk recording medium.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic disk device includes a receiver, a storage module, a determining module, and a prescanner. The receiver receives a command from a host device. The storage module stores, with respect to each of divided areas formed by dividing the recording area of a recording medium into a plurality of areas, pre-scan control information indicating at least one of the receiving time and the number of receiving times. The receiving time indicates a time at which a write command is received. The number of receiving times indicates the number of times the write command is received within a predetermined period after the power is turned on. The determining module determines the order in which pre-scan is performed on the divided areas based on at least one of the receiving time and the number of receiving times. The prescanner pre-scans the divided areas in the determined order.

Abstract: A disk drive. The disk drive includes a head, a motion mechanism, and a controller. The head is configured to access a disk configured to store data. The motion mechanism is configured to move the head. The controller is configured to determine a seek direction when an error occurred; and, the controller is configured to repeat a seek as a repeat seek to a target radial position from a direction opposite to the seek direction in an error-recovery process for the error which occurred in the seek in which the head moved to the target radial position.

Abstract: In a servo control loop, phase detection between a clock signal and servo burst fields on a movable storage media is carried out with compensation for phase error and frequency error in the timing of servo burst fields.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a storage medium that stores position information indicating positions of a plurality of tracks in a radial direction in the tracks, wherein the position information includes: a first pattern in which a feed angle indicating a phase difference between the tracks is an angle obtained by adding a predetermined angle to +90°; a second pattern in which the feed angle is an angle obtained by adding the predetermined angle to ?90°; and a third pattern in which the feed angle is the same as that of the first pattern.

Abstract: The operational bandwidth of a servo control circuit can be increased using a plurality of servo processors that handoff between them the responsibility for controlling head positioning in response to sequentially occurring servo patterns.