Abstract: A write command is received to write data in a target zone including one or more tracks and it is determined whether a data structure is stored in a memory for counting writes performed in a track of the target zone. If such a data structure is not stored in the memory, at least one Low Repeat Write (LRW) data structure is created for the target zone to count writes in sectors of respective tracks of the target zone since creation of the at least one LRW data structure. In another aspect, a write count for a segment is incremented in a data structure for a track to account for a write in the segment. A current overall Track Interference (TI) write count for the target zone is incremented if the incremented segment write count is the highest write count among respective segment write counts in the data structure.

Abstract: Methods are provided for deploying machine learning operations within existing storage devices for streamlining various calibration processes. Machine learning operations are specifically designed to generate inference data as a substitute for various measurements taken during calibration. These operations may be verified through additional sample measurements and rolled back when the results of the machine learning operations are outside of a range of approved values. Storage devices designed to utilize machine learning methods within calibration processes can include a non-volatile memory for storing data, executable instructions, and a processor to conduct a variety of steps. The steps can include executing an application stored in the non-volatile memory and receiving a request for measurement data from the application.

Abstract: Methods are provided for tactically deploying machine learning operations within existing storage devices without the need for additional capital investment. Machine learning operations are specifically designed to locate and evaluate multiple types of data to complete an operation, including synthesizing missing data. These operations may be processed within a SoC of a storage device as embedded software. Storage devices designed to utilize machine learning methods within existing configurations can include a non-volatile memory for storing data, executable instructions, and a processor to conduct a variety of steps. The steps can include executing a plurality of applications stored in the non-volatile memory, and receiving a request for data, including measurements, from at least one of the applications. The steps can further determine if the requested data is suitable for substitution by an inference and subsequently select at least one machine learning model for generating a suitable inference.

Abstract: Methods are provided for tactically deploying machine learning operations within existing storage devices without additional capital investment. Machine learning operations can be processed within a SoC of a storage device as embedded software. Storage device designed to utilize machine learning methods within existing configurations can include a non-volatile memory for storing data and executable instructions and a processor to conduct a variety of steps. The steps can include executing a plurality of applications stored in the non-volatile memory, and receiving a request for data, including measurements, from at least one of the plurality of applications. The steps can further determine if the requested data is suitable for substitution by an inference and subsequently select at least one machine learning model for generating a suitable inference.

Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk, wherein the head comprises a fly height actuator (FHA) configured to adjust a fly height of the head over the disk. A temperature of the data storage device is measured, and the FHA is controlled as a function of the measured temperature. A first quality metric of the data storage device is measured, and when the first quality metric falls below a threshold, the FHA control as a function of the measured temperature is disabled and the FHA is controlled to decrease the fly height of the head.

Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed comprising a disk comprising a plurality of data tracks each comprising a plurality of data sectors, and a head actuated over the disk. A first frequency preamble is written to a first data sector of a first data track and a second frequency preamble is written to a second data sector of a second data track, wherein the first frequency is different from the second frequency and the first data track is adjacent to the second data track.

Abstract: A Data Storage Device (DSD) includes a disk with a zone of tracks to be sequentially written. A sequential write pointer is maintained indicating a next physical location for writing data in the zone. When a write command is received to write data in a target region at a physical location behind the sequential write pointer, it is determined whether a write count for each of the target region and an adjacent region before the target region has reached a threshold number of writes. If it is determined that the write counts for both the target region and the adjacent region have not reached the threshold number of writes, the sequential write pointer for the zone is moved to the physical location and the data is written at the physical location to fulfill the write command.

Abstract: A device comprises a first storage media and a controller. The controller configured to generate a first operational metric using a first set of operational data at a first frequency and a second operational metric a second set of operational data at a second frequency different than the first frequency; receive a write command to write data to the first storage media; and divert the write command to write data to a second storage media instead of the first storage media when at least one of the first operational metric and the second operational metric indicates that writing data to the first storage media may be harmful to the magnetic rotating disk or result in data loss.

Abstract: An apparatus includes: a media; a head configured to write data on the media; a read channel, coupled to the head, configured to detect servo data from the media; and control circuitry, coupled to the read channel, configured to: generate a position error signal (PES), associated with a write operation of an aggressor track, from the servo data, compare a first threshold to the PES for detecting a write unsafe condition, compare a second threshold, within the first threshold, to the PES for detecting a write squeeze condition, and control a refresh operation of a victim track based on at least one of the comparisons.

Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk comprising a plurality of tracks, wherein at least two of the tracks comprise a thermal asperity. Prior to seeking the head from a first track to a second track, for each of at least two of the thermal asperities a minimum seek delay and a maximum seek delay that will cause the head to miss the thermal asperity are computed, and an allowed seek delay range that will cause the head to miss the thermal asperity is computed. When the undelayed seek will cause the head to hit at least one thermal asperity, the seek is delayed by a seek delay determined based on the minimum seek delays, the maximum seek delays, and the allowed seek delay ranges.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk comprising a plurality of data tracks. First data is written to a first data track, and the first data is read from the first data track to measure a first quality metric representing a recording quality of the first data. Second data is written to a second data track, and the second data is read from the second data track to measure a second quality metric representing a recording quality of the second data. The first and second quality metrics are processed to generate a first statistical quality metric. A first defect threshold is generated based on the first statistical quality metric, and at least part of the disk is scanned for defects based on the first defect threshold.

Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk comprising a plurality of tracks. A defect scan of at least one of the tracks is executed, and a log entry is generated when a defect is detected. After the defect scan, a verify operation is executed for at least two of the detected defects. A number of times the verify operation detects a false defect is counted, and whether the head is defective is determined based at least partly on the count.

Abstract: An apparatus includes: a media; a head over the media; a read channel, coupled to the head, configured to extract data from the media; control circuitry, coupled to the read channel, configured to execute a read command; and wherein the read channel is further configured to: generate, based on extracting the data from the media, a data condition indicator, and provide, for use by the control circuitry, the data and the data condition indicator.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk comprising a plurality of tracks, wherein each track comprises a plurality of data sectors. A test pattern is written to at least one data sector in at least one track, and the test pattern is read from the disk to generate a noisy read signal comprising added noise. An estimated data sequence is detected from the noisy read signal, and an amplitude of the added noise is increased until a failure detection metric reaches a metric threshold. A failure threshold is generated based on the amplitude of the added noise when the failure detection metric reaches the metric threshold, and a failure condition of the disk drive is predicted based on the failure threshold.

Abstract: A data storage device can include a magnetic rotating disk, a solid state memory, and a controller. The controller is configured to generate a first operational metric which is updated at a first frequency and a second operational metric which is updated at a second frequency different than the first frequency, receive a write command to write data to the magnetic rotating disk, and divert the write command to write data to the solid state memory instead of the magnetic rotating disk when at least one of the first operational metric and the second operational metric indicates that writing data to the magnetic rotating disk may be harmful to the magnetic rotating disk or result in data loss.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk comprising a plurality of data tracks, and a head actuated over the disk, the head comprising an asperity sensor operable to generate a sensor signal having a magnitude based on a bias setting of the asperity sensor. The asperity sensor is configured with a first bias setting and a first asperity on the disk is detected based on the sensor signal generated at the first bias setting. The asperity sensor is configured with a second bias setting different from the first bias setting and a second asperity on the disk is detected based on the sensor signal generated at the second bias setting.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk, the head comprising a touchdown sensor comprising a resistance. A bias signal is applied at a reference value to the touchdown sensor at a reference temperature, and a corresponding reference resistance of the touchdown sensor is measured. An operating value for the bias signal is generated based on a predetermined operating temperature of the touchdown sensor, the reference resistance, the reference temperature, and a thermal coefficient of resistance (TCR) of the touchdown sensor, wherein the TCR specifies a change in temperature of the touchdown sensor relative to a change in the resistance of the touchdown sensor.

Abstract: The application discloses systems that can include a monitoring module that is operative to provide an event indicator of an event occurring on a hard-disk drive. The systems can include a recording module that is operative to create an event record based on a logging instruction to log the event indicator. The systems can include an event linkage module that is operative to link the event record to a hard-disk drive activity indicator. The systems can include an error log formatting module that is operative to format the event record and a hard-disk drive activity indicator into a hard-disk drive error log. The systems can include a configuration module to set configuration flags and/or values. The error log can be stored on various areas of the hard-disk drive. The application also discloses related methods.

Abstract: Grease wear leveling in a disk drive including an actuator for moving a head over a disk as part of a seek operation. A count of seek operations is maintained and when the count of seek operations exceeds a first threshold number, one or more full stroke seek (FSS) operations are performed until a count of the FSS operations performed reaches a predetermined number. The FSS operation includes moving the head through a substantially wide range of motion. For each of the one or more FSS operations performed, the count of FSS operations performed is adjusted based on whether the most recent FSS operation was performed within a time window. The time window is based at least on a number of interval seek operations performed since a previously performed FSS operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for indication of activity status of a storage device is described. In one embodiment, an exemplary method comprises receiving, from a digital device, a status request requesting availability of a storage device, determining if one or more background tasks are being performed by the storage device, determining if one or more background tasks are pending to be performed by the storage device, generating a level of urgency indicator based on the determination of the one or more background tasks that are being performed and the determination of the one or more background tasks that are pending to be performed by the storage device, and providing the level of urgency indicator to the digital device.