Abstract: A data reader may be configured at least with a magnetic stack that has a first magnetic layer separated from a second magnetic layer by a non-magnetic spacer layer. The first magnetic layer may have an areal extent on an air bearing surface (ABS) that differs from the second magnetic layer while the second magnetic layer can be configured with a first plurality of linear sidewalls that are each angled with respect to a second plurality of linear sidewalls of the first magnetic layer.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for adaptively mitigating adjacent track interference (ATI) effects on a data recording medium. In some embodiments, a write count value is accumulated for a first track responsive to successive writes to a second track on the data recording medium. For each of the successive writes, the accumulated write count value for the first track is incremented by a different variable amount based on temperature. The first track is refreshed responsive to the accumulated write count reaching a selected threshold value.

Abstract: A disc drive system provides increased reliability by detecting and correcting errors associated with bit-patterned media. Write synchronization errors associated with bit-patterned media are addressed by including data storage for temporarily storing data that is being written to the disc drive. The data is read from both the disc drive and the storage medium and compared to detect write synchronization errors. A disc drive system for correcting write synchronization errors includes an encoder, non-volatile storage, and decoder device for implementing a parity-based scheme for increased reliability. Data strings being written to the disc drive are combined in an encoder to generate a parity string. The address of the data being written to the disc drive, along with the updated parity string is stored to the non-volatile storage. The data strings are read from the disc drive by the decoder.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated methodology providing an axial positioner for a rotatable shaft that is selectively extensible along an axis of rotation. The apparatus includes a sleeve having a first race operably fixed in rotation with the shaft, and a second race operably fixed at a predetermined rotational position. The races define opposing bearing surfaces operably supporting the first race in rotation with respect to the second race. The apparatus also includes an indicia device attached to the second race.

Abstract: The embodiments disclose a data storage device including a thickness gradient heat sink layer deposited over a heat sink layer deposited over a substrate, a thickness gradient non-magnetic thermal resist layer deposited over the thickness gradient heat sink layer, and a magnetic layer deposited over the thickness gradient non-magnetic thermal resist layer.

Abstract: Methods including determining a distribution of a position error signal (PES) of a magnetoresistive head by obtaining PES data from a servo controller associated with the magnetoresistive head; determining an encroachment function of a storage disc; and determining a track density of the storage disc by considering both the PES distribution and the encroachment function.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, having a cylindrical structure extending from a base; a stator assembly having a stator ring and a plurality of stator teeth extending from an outer diameter of the stator ring; and a stator assembly support having a supporting means for supporting at least one of the stator ring or the plurality of stator teeth, wherein the stator assembly support is configured to dampen mechanical vibrations in the base.

Abstract: Cross-decoding assists decoding of an otherwise uncorrectable error when decoding a desired page of a multi-level-cell technology flash memory. A solid-state disk (SSD) controller adjusts space allocated to redundancy respectively within various pages (e.g. upper, middle, and lower pages) such that the respective pages have respective effective Bit Error Rates (BER)s, optionally including cross-decoding, that approach one another. Alternatively the controller adjusts the allocation to equalize decoding time (or alternatively access time), optionally including decoding time (accessing time) accrued as a result of cross-decoding when there is an otherwise uncorrectable error. The adjusting is via (a) respective ratios between allocation for ECC redundancy and user data space, and/or (b) respective coding rates and/or coding techniques for each of the various pages.

Abstract: Certain exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards an apparatus in which a data-access head is used to access a sequence of data stored in adjacent ones of multiple tracks of a data-storage device, where the sequence of data includes a stochastic or pseudo-random set of bits and on an adjacent one of the multiple tracks, the sequence of bits is represented in a phase-shifted form. The data access of the multiple tracks bits is used to characterize nonlinear interaction therebetween.

Abstract: Certain exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards apparatuses and methods which autonomously decontaminate parts. Parts to be cleaned are identified, and based on the identification of the part, a part specific cleaning program is initiated. During the cleaning, the part is manipulated about a gas supply in such a way that the drag force on the contamination particles attached to the part exceeds the contamination particles' surface adhesion force and accordingly is removed from the surface of the part. The removed contamination is then evacuated from the atmospheric environment near the part by a low pressure zone of a second gaseous material near the part.

Abstract: Implementations disclosed herein provide for an apparatus, comprising a synthetic antiferromagnetic reader structure, wherein total moment of a pinned layer is substantially greater than total moment of a reference layer. In one implementation, the pinning strength of the pinned layer is substantially reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a slider having a mounting surface, the mounting surface opposite a media-facing surface of the slider. The apparatus includes a laser diode mounted on a side surface to the mounting surface. The laser diode has an active region of the laser diode is disposed substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface.

Abstract: Selective enablement of operating modes or features of a storage system via host transfer rate detection enables, in some situations, enhanced performance. For example, a Solid-State Disk (SSD) having a serial interface compatible with a particular serial interface standard selectively enables coalescing of status information for return to a host based on detecting a particular host transfer rate capability. Some hosts are not fully compliant with the particular standard, being unable to properly process the coalesced status information. The selective enablement disables status coalescing for a non-compliant host and enables status coalescing for at least some compliant hosts, without the SSD having prior knowledge of coupling to a noncompliant/compliant host. The SSD conservatively determines the host is non-compliant/compliant based on a negotiated speed of the serial interface, and selectively disables/enables status coalescing in response to the negotiated speed.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for adapting a read-signal in a read channel using pre-determined sets of adaptive parameter values optimized for different noise environments in a storage device. A read-signal is received in a read channel comprising at least one adaptive component. A most probable noise type is determined for the read channel, and a set of adaptive parameter values associated with the most probable noise type is retrieved from a memory. The read-signal is adapted for decoding using the at least one adaptive component configured with the retrieved set of adaptive parameter values.

Abstract: An adaptive guard band scheme is disclosed for a data storage device. In illustrated embodiments, the adaptive guard band scheme formats different guard band cylinders and track zeros for different heads depending upon a contact cylinder of the different heads. In an illustrative embodiment, the adaptive guard band scheme utilizes the contact cylinders for the heads and a no fly cylinder to determine track zero(s) and extended data zone(s) for select heads.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for writing servo reference patterns in a storage device implementing heat-assisted magnetic recording. A recording signal for the servo reference patterns is generated through a read/write channel to a read/write head of the storage device. The read/write head is moved across a recording surface of a disk in the storage device as the disk is rotated and an intermittent signal is applied to a write gate interposed between the read/write channel and the read/write head so that a maximum continuous writing time of the recording signal does not exceed a continuous write time limit of the storage device.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated methodology contemplating a slider body defining longitudinal extents at a leading end and a trailing end. A fluid bearing surface is formed in part by a side rail extending substantially longitudinally along the slider body and joined to a cross rail extending substantially laterally along the slider body. The side rail and the cross rail define at least a portion of a positive pressure recess. A vent is defined in the fluid bearing surface that is in fluid communication with ambient pressure fluid on one side of the side rail but is not in fluid communication with the positive pressure recess on the other side of the side rail.

Abstract: A data bus can supply power from a first power source to a sink device. The data bus is coupled to a second power source. An electrical current from the second power source supplements an electrical current on the data bus if the voltage on the data bus decreases to less than a threshold value.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a memory and a controller. The memory may be configured to process a plurality of read/write operations. The memory comprises a plurality of memory modules each having a size less than a total size of the memory. The controller is configured to (i) determine if a read disturb has occurred, and (ii) if the read disturb has occurred, the controller (a) determines a size of the group of read/write operations, and (b) writes all of the group of read/write operations to one of the memory modules.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing motor is provided having relatively rotatable facing surfaces that are reliably lubricated. A radial gap is defined between the relatively rotatable facing surfaces, wherein a first axial end of a fluid dynamic bearing has a larger radial gap as compared to a central region of the fluid dynamic bearing. In an aspect, a fluid recirculation passageway is established between the first axial end and the central region of the fluid dynamic bearing. In an aspect, a fluid reservoir is formed axially above the first axial end of the fluid dynamic bearing. Robustness of the FDB motor is increased, and sensitivity to external loads or mechanical shock events is reduced. Dry surface-to-surface contact of bearing surfaces and reduced performance or failure of the motor or disc drive components is averted. The use of diamond-like coating on relatively rotatable fluid bearing surfaces may also be reduced or eliminated.