Abstract: Weak erase detection and mitigation techniques are provided that detect permanent failures in solid-state storage devices. One exemplary method comprises obtaining an erase fail bits metric for a solid-state storage device; and detecting a permanent failure in at least a portion of the solid-state storage device causing weak erase failure mode by comparing the erase fail bit metric to a predefined fail bits threshold. In at least one embodiment, the method also comprises mitigating for the permanent failure causing the weak erase failure mode for one or more cells of the solid-state storage device. The mitigating for the permanent failure comprises, for example, changing a status of the one or more cells to a defective state and/or a retired state. The detection of the permanent failure causing the weak erase failure mode comprises, for example, detecting the weak erase failure mode without an erase failure.

Abstract: A system includes an enclosure having an air inlet end and an air outlet end, air movers positioned near the air outlet end, a first data connector positioned near the air outlet end between the air movers, a heat-generating electrical component positioned immediately between the data connector and the air inlet end, a first heat sink positioned immediately between at least one of the air movers and the air inlet end, and a first conductive pipe thermally coupled between the heat-generating electrical component and the first heat sink.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for implementing blockchain technology in a data storage system. In certain embodiments, a data storage device may upload a copy of a file to a cloud server for storage, and receive a network link to the copy of the file. The data storage device may then provide file metadata and the network link to a distributed ledger blockchain system to create a blockchain entry.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein provide for mitigating errors in a storage device. In one embodiment, a storage system includes a storage device comprising a plurality of storage areas operable to store data, and a controller operable to evaluate operating conditions of the storage device, to perform a background scan on a first of the storage areas to characterize a read retention of the first storage area, and to adjust a read signal of the first storage area based on the characterized read retention and the operating conditions of the storage device.

Abstract: Two or more different recording currents are applied to a write coil of a recording head. A first of the two or more currents is a positive current and a second of the two or more currents is a negative current. In response to the application of the two or more different recording currents, a data stream is recorded to regions of a moving continuous magnetic recording medium such that each region has three or more magnetic states. The three or more magnetic states can be read from the continuous magnetic recording medium via a magnetic read transducer to recover the data stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for data storage performance scaling based on external energy. In certain embodiments, a system may comprise a data storage device having an interface to communicate with an external device, a nonvolatile memory, and a circuit. The circuit may be configured to receive an indication via the interface of power resources available to the data storage device from the external device in case of a power loss event, adjust a performance metric of the data storage device to apply when accessing the nonvolatile memory during normal power availability based on the indication, and perform operations during normal power availability based on the performance metric.

Abstract: A plurality of configuration sets are used with a detector coupled to a decoder. A processor is coupled to the memory registers and the detector and operable to load a first one of the configuration sets into the detector. The detector to attempts detection of the bits in the digital stream for a first iteration between the detector and the decoder using the first configuration set. After the first iteration, a second one of the configuration sets is loaded into the detector. The second configuration set is different than the first configuration set. The detector to attempts detection of the bits in the digital stream for a second iteration between the detector and the decoder using the second configuration set.

Abstract: A data storage system may utilize a gimbal test system to find open circuits and short circuits in a head gimbal assembly. The gimbal test system can have a gimbal flexure suspended between a load beam and a data storage medium with a flex circuit physically attached to the gimbal flexure to electrically connect a transducing head to a controller. The flex circuit can be tested with a test via that continuously extends through the flex circuit to a probe portion and a test pad located on an air bearing side of the gimbal flexure. The probe portion can be backed by the gimbal flexure along a plane perpendicular to a recording surface of the data storage medium.

Abstract: A method of improving data security or privacy in a computing environment includes providing a group identifier value to at least a first user of one or more users and associating a first pseudonym with the first user. The method further includes encrypting a first data set according to a private key and marking the encrypted first data set according to the group identifier and the first pseudonym. The method also includes performing a first operation on the encrypted first data set and transforming the encrypted first data set into an encrypted second data set according to the first operation performed and the first pseudonym, decrypting the encrypted second data set using the private key, and analyzing the decrypted second data set.

Abstract: During operation of a data center, telemetry data is gathered that is indicative of performance of a storage system. The data center includes a middleware client that abstracts and optimizes storage commands for an application operating in the data center. Via the middleware client, a change in the application's use of the storage system is determined. Responsive to the change in the application, a change in the storage system is determined that will result in an improvement in storage performance for the application. The change to the storage system is applied via the middleware client to affect subsequent access of the storage system by the application.

Abstract: A retention assembly includes a first retention member with a first set of ribs and a second set of ribs. The first set of ribs are positioned to form slots, which are shaped to receive data storage devices. The first set of ribs are arranged to separate adjacent data storage devices and have a first length. The second set of ribs extend into respective slots to form air channels within the slots, and the second set of ribs have a second length that is shorter than the first length.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for performing event timing detection for DNA sequencing. In certain embodiments, a method may comprise generating a signal based on a DNA strand passed through a nanopore sensor, sampling the signal to generate a plurality of sample values, and detecting one or more event boundaries based on the sample values, an event representing a movement of a single DNA base of the DNA strand through the nanopore sensor. Detecting the one or more event boundaries may include segmenting the plurality of sample values into multiple events to calculate an optimal total score, assigning an event value to a selected event from the multiple events based on sample values of the selected event, and providing the event value to a base caller to determine a sequence of DNA bases.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a write command including data to be stored and a logical block address associated with the data. The method includes selecting, from a pre-defined plurality of cooling zones of a data storage chassis, a cooling zone in which to store the data. The method further includes writing the data to a data storage device in the cooling zone.

Abstract: An exemplary data storage device includes an actuator arm assembly, a top guide rail, a bottom guide rail, and a first ball bearing. The actuator arm assembly includes a first post defining a pivot axis that is inclined between about 5 degrees and about 25 degrees from a horizontal plane defined by a data storage disk surface. The top guide rail includes a first rolling surface that is parallel to the pivot axis. The bottom guide rail is spaced from the top guide rail and includes a second rolling surface that is parallel to the first rolling surface. The first ball bearing includes a first inner race and a first outer race, the first inner race surrounding the first post, and the first outer race in contact with the first rolling surface or the second rolling surface. An exemplary method of assembling a data storage device is also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for synchronous writing of a grain patterned medium. The systems and methods can be implemented within a data storage device having a grain patterned medium. Further, a calibration process to determine a count of bits between servo wedges can be implemented in manufacturing, within the data storage device, or both. In some examples, the data storage device, during operation, can utilize the count of bits to perform synchronous writing, determine write errors, or both. Further, the servo wedge of the grain patterned medium may be patterned with a same or similar grain pattern as the data area that follows the servo wedge. Such a data storage device can implement a single clock for reading a servo wedge and writing a data area.

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording device is disposed in a hermetically sealed enclosure. The device includes a slider comprising a reader, a writer, and an optical waveguide configured to couple light from a light source to a near-field transducer situated at or near an air bearing surface of the slider. The near-field transducer comprises an enlarged portion and a peg extending from the enlarged portion in a direction of the air bearing surface. A fill gas is provided within the enclosure. The fill gas comprises a mixture of a low-density, inert gas and at least one gas that oxidizes carbon, where the total carbon oxidizing gas concentration of the fill gas is 3-50% by volume. In certain embodiments, the fill gas comprises a hydrogen concentration sufficient to retard oxidation of the peg when the peg is at an operating temperature associated with write operations.

Abstract: A data storage device with at least one data storage disc and a head stack assembly. The head stack assembly includes an actuator mechanism and at least one recording head supported by a suspension assembly. The suspension assembly includes a load beam and an actuator arm and at least one actuator is disposed on at least one surface of the load beam or the actuator arm. The at least one actuator is configured to deflect the at least one recording head in a vertical direction relative to the recordable surface of the storage disc.

Abstract: A data storage array has a backplane at the base of an enclosure. A plurality of data storage drives are coupled to connectors of the backplane. A hot-swappable protocol expander module is coupled between the drives and the backplane through a top of the enclosure or to the backplane through a side of the enclosure.

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording head comprises a near-field transducer (NFT). The NFT comprises a thermally-stabilized plasmonic alloy, wherein the thermally-stabilized plasmonic alloy comprises a plasmonic metal and at least one alloying metal.

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording head comprises a near-field transducer (NFT). The NFT comprises a thermally-stabilized plasmonic alloy, wherein the thermally-stabilized plasmonic alloy comprises a plasmonic metal and at least one alloying metal.