Abstract: A data storage enclosure can house and electrically connect to multiple data storage devices respectively secured by a carrier. A toolless data storage device carrier can be configured with a data storage device disposed between first and second rails and a clip physically contacting each rail while spanning the data storage device. The clip being shaped to continuously force each rail into contact with the data storage device.

Abstract: A data storage device can employ a transducing head that accesses data stored on a data storage medium as directed by a controller. In response to experiencing a power disruption, the controller can predict at least one performance metric lost due to the power disruption and subsequently compensate for the power disruption by assuming the at least one predicted performance metric is correct.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a microactuator controller configured to generate a microactuator control signal, a feedforward microactuator compensator configured to generate a microactuator compensation signal, and a microactuator model filter configured to filter a modified microactuator control signal. The microactuator compensation signal is configured to be injected into the microactuator control signal to generate the modified microactuator control signal. The microactuator model filter generates a filtered modified microactuator control signal and injects the filtered modified microactuator control signal into a position error signal to generate a modified position error signal.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a stationary sleeve and a shaft operable to rotate with respect to the stationary sleeve. A hub rotates with respect to the stationary sleeve in response to the shaft rotating. A mechanically adjustable gap forming component is attached to the stationary sleeve and radially extends between the hub and a base. The mechanically adjustable gap forming component forms a radially extending gap above the mechanically adjustable gap forming component. The mechanically adjustable gap forming component is mechanically adjustable in an axial direction with respect to the stationary sleeve. The hub dynamically adjusts the radially extending gap above the mechanically adjustable gap forming component during rotation of the hub.

Abstract: A slider bar extender to removably connect one or more slider bars to a processing machine or tool is disclosed. In illustrated embodiments, the extender is coupled to a holder structure through a tongue and groove connection. In illustrated embodiments, the tongue is formed on the holder structure and the groove is formed on the extender. In illustrated embodiments, the extender includes a plurality of reduced thickness strips. The reduced thickness strips are orientated lengthwise to control or transfer bending to one or more bars connected to a proximal edge surface of the extender.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices that include a near field transducer (NFT), the NFT having a peg and a disc and the peg including peg material and at least one associated amorphous blocker layer, wherein the amorphous blocker layer includes an amorphous metal alloy and the amorphous blocker layer is within the peg material, on one or more surfaces of the peg material, or both.

Abstract: A data storage enclosure can have one or more data storage devices positioned in an enclosure slot having one or more stops. A data storage device can be attached to a rail having a rail width and having first and second protrusions offset from one another. The first and second protrusions may each have protrusion widths that are less than the rail width with the second protrusion shaped to provide a positive stop that retains the rail in an enclosure slot.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for managing a data storage device during extended idle conditions of the data storage device in which host access commands are not being received or serviced. In some embodiments, upon detection of an idle condition, a control circuit identifies a selected data transducer of the data storage device and a corresponding initial radial position of the data transducer with respect to an associated rotatable data recording surface. The control circuit performs a serpentine seek operation during the idle condition to gradually advance the selected data transducer in a selected radial direction across the data recording surface beginning at the initial radial position and ending at a final radial position. The serpentine seek operation prevents the transducer from being maintained in a stationary position during the idle condition, reducing the likelihood of damage through thermal asperity contact events, lubrication disturb, wear, etc.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for managing data in a Non-Volatile Memory (NVD). In some embodiments, management information is stored in a buffer memory using a Solid-State Disk (SSD) controller circuit, the management information comprising a map data structure that associates storage addresses of a host device to physical addresses of the NVD. A location in the management information is determined responsive to a selected host storage address and a programmable parameter by arithmetically dividing in accordance with a divisor specified at least in part by the programmable parameter. The location in the management information is used to direct a transfer of user data by the SSD control circuit between the host device and the NVM.

Abstract: A modular data storage system can consist of at least first and second enclosures spanning a single pair of rails. The first and second enclosures may each have keyed couplers that mate to align the first and second enclosures along a common plane while being suspended between the single pair of rails.

Abstract: A POR circuit includes a voltage divider coupleable between a supply voltage and a POR trace, including a first element coupled between the supply voltage and a node, and a second element coupled between the node and the POR trace. A switch is drain to source coupled between the POR trace and a reference voltage. A first decoupling capacitor is coupled between the POR trace and the reference voltage. A second decoupling capacitor is coupled between the node and the reference voltage. ESD protection for an integrated circuit includes charging a node of a voltage divider coupled between a supply voltage and a POR trace to a predetermined percentage of the supply voltage, decoupling high frequency noise with a first decoupling capacitor between the POR trace and a reference voltage, and decoupling low frequency noise with a second decoupling capacitor between the node and the reference voltage.

Abstract: Methods that include forming at least a portion of a near field transducer (NFT) structure; depositing a material onto at least one surface of the portion of the NFT to form a metal containing layer; and subjecting the metal containing layer to conditions that cause diffusion of at least a portion of the material into the at least one surface of the portion of the NFT; and devices formed thereby.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for scanning a read/write head of a hard disk drive during manufacture. The method comprises: providing a magnetic sensor; moving the magnetic sensor relative to and in close proximity to the read/write head under test; obtaining measurements from the head under test or the sensor, representing a two-dimensional magnetic map; processing the map to obtain an accurate map of the head sensitivity of the head under test from which the key performance characteristics of the head can be obtained.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for implementing unequal error correction code (ECC) in multi-track recording. A device may comprise a circuit configured to implement an error correction coding scheme applying different code rate error correction codes on adjacent tracks within a same recording zone. The circuit may perform a read operation, including simultaneously detecting bits from a first track and a second track of the adjacent tracks, iteratively applying detected bits from the first track to perform adjacent track interference cancellation (ATIC) to decode bits from the second track, and iteratively applying detected bits from the second track to perform ATIC to decode bits from the first track.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus that includes a substrate; a first hard-mask pattern that includes a number of first features disposed over a top surface of the substrate; and a second hard-mask pattern disposed over the first hard-mask layer. The second hard-mask pattern includes a number of second features overlapping one or more of the first features.

Abstract: Technologies for midplane docking systems for connecting adjacent levels of docks are provided herein. An extendable connection system includes: a connector cable, the connector cable having a first end and a second end; a male connector, the male connector connected to the first end of the connector cable, the male connector including male connecting mechanism; and a female connector, the female connector connected to the second end of the connector cable and including a female connecting mechanism adapted to connect with the male connecting mechanism, wherein the male connector is extendable relative to the female connector.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a read sensor having a bearing surface and first and second free layers that are separated by an intermediate structure. The first FL includes multiple segments, with each segment having a width at the bearing surface. A sum of the widths of different ones of the multiple segments is a first width of the first FL. The second FL is unsegmented and has a second width at the bearing surface that is different from the first width of the first FL. The read sensor also includes a first terminal connected to a first one of the multiple segments of the first FL, and a second terminal connected to a second one of the multiple segments of the first FL. A third terminal is connected to the second FL. Control circuitry applies a bias current from either the first or second terminal to the third terminal.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for managing multi-device storage systems. In some embodiments, a distributed data set is stored across a group of storage devices. Data from a selected storage device in the group are reconstructed and stored in a spare location. Host access requests associated with the data are serviced from the spare location along a first data path while the data from the spare location are concurrently transferred along a different, second data path to a replacement storage device maintained in an offline condition using a progressive (iterative) copyback process. The replacement storage device is thereafter transitioned to an online condition responsive to the transfer of the data to the replacement storage device.

Abstract: Devices having an air bearing surfaces (ABS), the devices including a near field transducer (NFT) that includes a disc having a front edge; a peg, the peg having a front surface at the air bearing surface of the apparatus, an opposing back surface, a top surface that extends from the front surface to the back surface, two side surfaces that expend from the front surface to the back surface and a bottom surface that extends from the front surface to the back surface; and a barrier layer, the barrier layer separating at least the back surface of the peg from the disc and the barrier layer having a thickness from 10 nm to 50 nm.