Abstract: A fixture assembly suitable for use in a manufacturing process includes a crowder plate coupled to a datum plate, which is configured to receive a work piece, such as a disc drive system. In some embodiments, the datum plate is configured to gimbal relative to at least a portion of the crowder plate, and substantially maintain a position along first and second directions relative to at least the portion of the crowder plate. The datum plate is also configured to translate in a third direction relative to at least the portion of the crowder plate, where the first, second, and third directions are substantially orthogonal. In some embodiments, the fixture assembly includes a platform coupled to the crowder plate, where the crowder plate may translate in at least one of the first and second directions relative to the platform.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a data storage system with non-volatile memory for error correction. In one example, a data storage system is provided and includes a first data storage device comprising a first non-volatile data storage medium and a second data storage device that comprises a second non-volatile data storage medium. The system also includes a controller configured to store data to the first data storage device. The controller is configured to selectively generate error correction information for selected portions of the data based on at least one attribute associated with the data and store the error correction information in the second data storage device.

Abstract: in certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a write pole tip having a top side that has a monotonically decreasing slope that forms a convex profile between a write pole paddle and an air bearing surface. In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a write pole tip having a first and second top bevel. The first top bevel is at an angle greater than the second top bevel with respect to a plane perpendicular to an air bearing surface of the write pole tip.

Abstract: A decoding system comprises an iterative decoder that utilizes parity constraints to iteratively decode a block of data that consists of multiple code words, and a processor that controls the iterative decoder to selectively remove a subset of the parity constraints for a number of decoder iterations and include one or more of the selectively removed parity constraints in other decoder iterations.

Abstract: A disc burnishing head includes an array of burnishing pads and a first and second side rail projecting from a bottom surface of a slider body. The side rails each have an inside surface facing the burnishing pads and an outside surface facing outward. The outside surface of at least the first side rail is serrated. The serrations define a plurality of teeth and notches on the outside surface of the first side rail for cutting, cleaning, and conditioning defects from the surface of a disc.

Abstract: Recording heads for a data storage system include a first side having at least a portion of a metal component. A carbon overcoat is on the first side and covers the at least a portion of a metal component. A corrosion inhibitor is incorporated in the carbon overcoat. The corrosion inhibitor is illustratively located between the carbon overcoat and the at least a portion of a metal component, on top of the carbon overcoat, or within the carbon overcoat. In an embodiment, the carbon overcoat includes diamond-like carbon.

Abstract: A soft or passive latch to control a position of a head relative to a data storage media is disclosed. In illustrated embodiments, the latch provides a dwell point or region along the flex circuit assembly. In illustrated embodiments, the dwell point or region corresponds to alignment of the head in a middle region of the media. In illustrated embodiment, the latch is formed of a lower or reduced bending stiffness region, which in illustrated embodiment is formed via a cut-out, contoured, or reduced width portion of a constraint layer damper or other layer(s) along the flex circuit assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for mounting an object to a base. In one example, the apparatus includes a base and a protuberant feature extending from the base. The protuberant feature includes a datum surface sized to matingly engage a corresponding surface of an object to precisely position the object with respect to the base.

Abstract: The application discloses an assembly tool for installing a disc clamp on a spindle hub. In the illustrated embodiments, the assembly tool includes a head including an inner portion, an intermediate portion and an outer portion configured to install a disc clamp on a spindle motor assembly. In the illustrated embodiments, the inner portion includes a raised portion and datum surface that interface with the spindle hub to align the spindle hub for installation of the disc clamp.

Abstract: Base decks for data storage systems include a spindle motor region, a medium support region, an enclosure sidewall, and a recessed channel. The spindle motor region is configured to support a spindle motor assembly. The medium support region is beneath a storage medium when the storage medium is positioned within the base deck, and the enclosure sidewall surrounds an outer periphery of the storage medium when it is positioned within the base deck. The recessed channel is within the media support region and extends from the spindle motor region to the enclosure sidewall. The recessed channel illustratively has curved sidewalls that converge.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a vibration damper for an actuator assembly. One exemplary embodiment relates to an actuator assembly including a magnetic assembly configured to produce a magnetic field and an actuator movable relative to the magnetic assembly in response to the magnetic field, wherein the actuator includes a vibration damper which interacts with the magnetic field.

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure relates to scanning reassigned data storage locations. In one example, a reassignment table is accessed to identify a deallocated data storage location and scan the deallocated data storage location for media defects.

Abstract: The present invention provides a motor assembly method for mounting to a base. The motor assembly includes a stator assembly having a plurality of stator teeth. Each stator tooth is configured to support a stator coil. The motor assembly also includes a flexible printed circuit having top and bottom surfaces and an end portion. The end portion is affixed to the stator assembly at the top surface. The bottom surface is affixed to the base.

Abstract: A read/write head for use with bit-patterned media detects write synchronization errors between a write clock and the bit-patterned media. In particular, the read/write head writes data to the bit-patterned media using a write clock. The data is then read from the bit-patterned media and used to detect write synchronization errors between the write clock and the location of bit-islands on the bit-patterned media. Based on detected write synchronization errors, the phase associated with the write clock is modified to align the write clock with the location of bit-islands on the bit-patterned media.

Abstract: A system includes an encoder that manipulates postcoded data and produces parity bits, and a parity bit encoder that produces encoded parity bits by inserting into the parity bits one or more flags with polarities, or states, that are selected to produce, after precoding, precoded parity bits that meet predetermined modulation constraints.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing media-referenced timing for operations on a data storage medium. In particular, Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) synchronization fields may be interspersed within data fields of the medium and may be read to obtain timing measurements. The PLL fields are illustratively pre-recorded at predetermined intervals on the medium and have a fixed number of dots of the bit patterned medium between the PLL fields. Phase and frequency of a write clock may be controlled based on the read PLL fields to translate the timing measurements from the PLL fields into phase and frequency corrections to synchronize the write clock to the data storage medium.