Abstract: Disk drives with preamp rotational parameter control (RPC) using standard digital serial interface lines to the preamp are described. The standard serial interface lines are used to generate a special signal pattern that does not follow the serial communication protocol. The special signal pattern is used to implement RPC when doing so will not interference with other signals, preferably in the read/write recovery gap between the data and the servo field in a standard track format. A value of a selected preamp parameter can be incremented or decremented by one LSB during the read/write gap time in each servo sector as the disk rotates. Embodiments of the invention allow fly-height and write driver parameters to be varied inside of a single disk revolution. Embodiments are described that include two or four parameters in the set, which allows for multiple updates of each parameter per revolution of the disk.

Abstract: Approaches for integrated lead suspension that provides many benefits, such as enabling a dual stage actuator (DSA) to be used with a single layer flex with a reduced amount of crosstalk. An integrated lead suspension comprises a tail end having a plurality of conductive pads positioned thereat. The plurality of conductive pads includes a first and second dual stage actuator (DSA) pad. The first and second DSA pads are electrically coupled to a conductive member by way of conductive vias. The conductive member may be a stainless steel island. The first DSA pad conducts a signal to a first terminal at each of a plurality of dual stage actuators, while a second terminal at each of the plurality of dual stage actuators is connected to ground.