Abstract: A voltage regulator includes an output node and first and second regulator circuits. The first regulator circuit generates a first regulated voltage on the output node when a supply voltage equals or exceeds a predetermined threshold, and the second regulator circuit generates a second regulated voltage on the output node when the supply voltage is less than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: In a precompensation circuit for magnetic recording of data signals, a clock produces clock signals at a predetermined rate to clock the recording of the data signals. A clock delay generator generates clock delay data relative to the generated clock signals for successive data signals to be recorded. The clock delay data for each data signal is formed according to the states of a set of adjacent data signals. n>1 programmable clock delay units operate sequentially to control the recording times of the successive data signals. Each clock delay unit receives the clock delay data for one data signal in each sequence of n successive data signals and determines recording time of the one data signal according to the clock delay data for the one data signal in the sequence.

Abstract: An open write head detection circuit is provided comprising a write head driver circuit, a programmable reference voltage source, a comparator and a pulse width filter. The write head driver circuit generates an voltage sense signal. The comparator compares the voltage sense signal with a reference voltage from the programmable reference voltage source and generates a comparator output signal indicative of whether the voltage sense signal is greater than or less than the reference voltage. The comparator output signal is input to the pulse width filter which generates a latched open head signal in response the voltage sense signal being less than the reference level for a predetermined time measured as a programmable number of write clock cycles.

Abstract: A record carrier has a servo track (4) indicating an information track (9) intended for recording information blocks. The servo track (4) has a periodic variation of a physical parameter at a predetermined frequency and modulated parts for encoding position information at regular intervals. The modulated parts start with a bit sync element and are of a data type having a data bit element, or of a word sync type having a word sync element. The word sync element and the data bit element are modulated according to a same predetermined type of modulation of the periodic variation. The effective strength of a modulated element is the number of periodic variations that are substantially different and available for detection of that element. The effective strength of the word sync element and of the data bit element are equal.

Abstract: A magnetic recording system is provided having a write head employing a combination of magnetic write field gradient and thermal gradient to write data on a ‘thermal spring’ magnetic recording media. The write head comprises a magnetic element using a write current to induce a magnetic write field at the magnetic media and a thermal element using a very small aperture laser to heat a portion of the media. The thermal spring magnetic media comprises [comprises] first and second stacks providing two exchange coupled ferromagnetic layers having different Curie temperatures [The first stack has a high magneto-crystalline anisotropy, a relatively low saturation magnetization and a low Curie temperature.] [The second stack has a relatively low magneto-crystalline anisotropy, a high saturation magnetization and a high Curie temperature.

Abstract: A magnetic printing apparatus includes a dipole magnet that supplies a magnetic field to a magnetic media, a holder for holding the magnetic media, a set of stampers with servo patterns and a press for pressing the magnetic media firmly against the stampers while the magnetic media and stampers are being exposed to a magnetic field and a set of elastomer pads to distribute and equalize the force of the press on the magnetic media. Servo formatting, using the contact magnetic printing apparatus, is done by positioning the magnetic media against the stampers. A force is then applied to the magnetic media and stamper so that the two are in firm contact with each other. A sequence of magnetic fields is then applied to the stampers and magnetic media which duplicates the servo patterns of the stamper onto the magnetic media.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of reading of magnetic information. In an example embodiment, a read head includes a magneto-resistive rod polarized with an electrical signal. The magneto-resistive rod supplies a data signal whose variations are representative of magnetic-field variations to which the read head is exposed. Included in the embodiment, there is a compression of the data signal triggered when a thermal asperity is detected.

Abstract: In general, the invention provides two-sided magnetic data storage tape comprising azimuthal magnetic transition layouts that can substantially reduce demagnetization of recorded magnetic transitions on the surfaces of the tape. The invention specifically balances the goal of simplified media manufacture with the goal of reducing or avoiding media degradation when the tape is spooled. The two-sided magnetic data storage tape defines a substantially similar easy axis of magnetic anisotropy on a first and a second side of the tape, which can simplify media manufacture. Recorded magnetic transitions on the opposing sides of the tape define azimuths that are substantially different, which can help avoid media degradation when the tape is spooled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing enhanced data channel performance using a read sample buffer in a direct access storage device (DASD). Disk data is read and stored in the read sample buffer. When a data recovery procedure (DRP) starts, the stored disk read data in the read sample buffer is detected. Error correction code (ECC) checking of the detected sample buffer disk data is performed to identify correctly recovered data. Using the disk read data stored in the read sample buffer enables data recovery without identification of a sync word. Also using the disk read data stored in the read sample buffer enables data recovery with changed channel data detection settings to recover the data. The read sample buffer can be used for accumulating read disk data from more than one read operation so that at least some channel noise is averaged out.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a programmed phase change in a servo track writer (STW) clock providing signals for writing information to a servo track, the phase change programmed to occur in one or more large or small phase bumps in either positive and negative directions, whereby a large phase jump is defined as the largest block of bit unit that can be handled without introducing noise into the system, and a smaller phase bump that is the smallest incremental bit unit that may be programmed to change the servo write clock phase until a final phase offset is reached.

Abstract: A read channel for a hard disk controller comprising: means for generating a sequence of start of write signals to individually control the start of writing of each of one or more servo sync words to a disk; and means for individually writing the one or more servo sync words to the disk.

Abstract: The present invention decreases the number of repositions during read back by making use of multiple read elements associated with each data track. A tape system includes a tape head with two read elements associated with each data track to be simultaneously read. Each read element generates a read signal in response to information recorded on the data track. Read electronics convert the read signal into read data. Control logic selects one of the two read elements as a source for output data for each data track. In response to a read error, output data is obtained from the other of the two read elements.

Abstract: A method for burnishing a slider in a disk drive in which the disk is rotated in the opposite or reverse direction from that used to develop the air-bearing and to read and write data is described. Rotating the disk in the reverse direction results in no air-bearing being formed and the slider being in contact with the disk surface. The burnishing removes material over the magnetic transducers in the slider which separate the transducers from the disk resulting in greater sensitivity. Optionally the stopping point for burnishing can be determined by monitoring measurable parameters such as the change in the MR resistance (MRR), i.e., ?MRR/MRR until a selected range is achieved. The invention can be used to remove an overcoat from the air-bearing surface of the slider, remove protruding areas from the slider and to remove debris from the disk surface.

Abstract: A magnetic transfer apparatus for transferring patterned information formed on a surface of a master disk to a magnetic recording medium as a slave disk placed in intimate contact with the surface of the master disk by applying a magnetic field to the disks, which comprises: a magnet; a first holder for holding the master disk and the slave disk; and a second holder facing the first holder, the first holder being supported by a supporting member, the magnet being disposed on only an outer side of the second holder, and the second holder being formed solely of a lid.

Abstract: A write driver apparatus and corresponding method for an inductive head element (20) in a magnetic storage medium, such as a hard disk drive, having an H-bridge type circuit (10) which is capable of driving a current through the inductive head element (20) and having a boost circuit (250, 260) which is coupled with the H-bridge (10) and which is operable for delivering another current during a predetermined period to the head element (20), wherein a sum of the currents provides the write current for the head element (20) of the hard disk drive. Further, a resistive element (210, 320, 330) is selectively coupled with the head element (20) for providing impedance matching in which the resistive element (210, 320, 330) is decoupled from the head element (20) during delivery of the current from the boost circuit (250, 260).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dynamic head switch timing recalibration are provided. With the apparatus and method, a determination is made as to whether a difference in a reference head switch timing and the head switch timing at a later time is sufficient to meet a certain criteria. If the difference meets the criteria, a recalibration of the head switch timing is performed. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the criteria is a number of address mark (AM) misses during a head switch operation. If this predetermined number of AM misses is detected, then it is determined that a recalibration is necessary since the predetermined number of AM misses is an indication that the head switch timing has changed significantly from the reference head switch timing.

Abstract: A disk storage system having servo data stored thereon for accurate head position control over a magnetic or other storage medium. The servo data is seamless and untrimmed and consists of a primary servo burst set (AB burst) that defines the desired tract pitch for the surface. Multiple secondary servo burst sets (e.g., CD burst and EF burst) are written at the desired track pitch but radially offset from the primary burst set. The servo data is written in multiple servo sectors around the surface of the medium. From the servo data, PES (position error signals) are generated for providing linear position sensitivity information to the head position control logic. The resulting PES is more linear for smaller head sizes.

Abstract: A magnetic transfer apparatus includes a holder which contains therein a master information carrier carrying thereon information to be transferred and a slave medium to which the information born by the master information carrier is to be transferred. The master information carrier and the slave medium are pressed against each other under pressure acting on the holder when the holder is evacuated, and a transfer magnetic field is applied to the slave-medium-master-information-carrier assembly. The holder includes upper and lower holder portions having flat plate portions which are brought into abutment against the other side of the slave medium or the master information carrier and are movable toward and away from each other. At least one of the flat plate portions is flexible.

Abstract: A method, system and program for mitigating the effects of one or more inoperable servo readers used for data track positioning on a tape drive are disclosed. A track following servo system can compensate for an inoperable servo reader by collecting and measuring tape distortion information from the tape involved. The track following servo system can quantify the tape distortion information and produce a tracking offset value. The track following servo system can then position an operable servo reader over the tape with the compensating offset value applied.

Abstract: A magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus includes a partial-response equalization circuit having frequency characteristic of cutting off low-frequency signal components inclusive of DC components; and a maximum-likelihood decoder, in which a reproduced signal outputted from the reproducing head is processed by the partial-response equalization circuit and then inputted into the maximum-likelihood decoder to be data-reproduced, thereby reducing a noise and distortion on the reproduced signal and reducing a data detection error rate.