Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products are described for calibrating servos, and in some implementations, calibrating spiral servos for use in self-servo-write (SSW) processes. In one aspect, a method is provided that includes determining timing reference information on a machine readable medium, locking a clock signal to the timing reference information, detecting a spiral on the machine readable medium, determining a location of the spiral using the clock signal, and calibrating a spiral servo according to the location of the spiral.

Abstract: A self-servo-write system including a timing control module and a position control module. The timing control module is configured to generate (i) timing information of a first set of servo spirals and (ii) timing control signals for writing a second set of final servo wedges based on the timing information. The position control module is configured to generate (i) position information of the first set of servo spirals and (ii) positioning control signals for writing the second set of final servo wedges based on the timing information. Less than half of the servo spirals in the first set of servo spirals are over-written while writing the second set of final servo wedges. A ratio of a first number of final servo wedges in the second set of final servo wedges to a second number of servo spirals in the first set of servo spirals is a non-integer greater than one.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products are described for calibrating servos, and in some implementations, calibrating spiral servos for use in self-servo-write SSW processes. In one aspect, a method is provide that includes rotating a machine readable medium, and detecting a spiral on the machine readable medium. Detecting a spiral on the machine readable medium includes detecting magnitudes of the spiral and a timing mark, storing a timestamp from a clock signal that corresponds to the timing mark of the spiral, determining a peak of the spiral from the magnitudes, and locking the clock signal to the peak of the spiral using the timestamp.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, are described for calibrating voice coil motors. In one aspect, a method is provided that includes seeking toward an outer diameter of a machine readable medium from a target servo track to a blank portion of the machine readable medium. A radial velocity of an actuator is determined after accelerating the actuator to a target radial velocity. The radial velocity is compared to the target radial velocity, and a current, that is used to controllably modify the radial velocity of the actuator if the radial velocity is different from the target radial velocity, is calibrated.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus for use in examining a body of living tissues, the apparatus comprising a head for contacting the body of living tissues, a light source mounted in the head for illuminating the tissues, and an annular switch disposed around the light source, the annular switch being adapted automatically to permit illumination of the light source at an examination intensity when the head contacts the body at least around an annular contact area on the head corresponding to the annular switch.

Abstract: Systems and techniques to calibrate a control loop include, in at least one implementation, a system including the control loop configured to generate a clock signal and lock the clock signal to timing marks detected on a machine readable medium, a repetitive error correction module configured to receive a predicted phase and a corrected phase error for the clock signal, generate a predicted repetitive phase disturbance using the predicted phase and the corrected phase error for the clock signal, and calibrate a phase error to compensate for variations in repetitive phase errors in the clock signal using the predicted repetitive phase disturbance; and a servo track generator configured to generate servo tracks using the clock signal.

Abstract: A recording medium can include multiple helicoid patterns arranged in multiple helicoid groups, e.g., first and second helicoid groups. Operating a disk drive can include switching between helicoid groups to maintain the alignment of the head with respect to a target track of the rotating recording medium. Enabling a switch can include receiving a waveform produced by a head operated with respect to a rotating recording medium, generating first information from one or more portions of the waveform corresponding to the helicoid patterns of the first helicoid group; generating second information from one or more portions of the waveform corresponding to the helicoid patterns of the second helicoid group; and analyzing the second information with respect to the first information to generate calibration information. The calibration information can compensate for operational differences between using the helicoid patterns of the first helicoid group and the helicoid patterns of the second helicoid group.

Abstract: A system includes a first current generator and a second current generator. The first current generator generates a first current to bias an actuator arm against a spring when a control signal is received. The first current generator discontinues the first current to release the spring and accelerate the actuator arm when servo signals are generated. The second current generator generates a second current that biases the actuator arm away from the spring when the first current is discontinued.

Abstract: A self-servo-write (SSW) system of a hard disk drive (HDD) includes a timing control module and a position control module. The timing control module generates timing information of S servo spirals and generates timing control signals for writing F final servo wedges in a circle based on the timing information, where F and S are integers, and where F is greater than S. The position control module generates position information of the S servo spirals and generates positioning control signals for writing the F final servo wedges in the circle based on the timing information.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, are described for calibrating servos, and in some implementations for calibrating spiral servos for use in self-servo-write processes. In one aspect, a method is provided that includes determining a measured slope of a spiral, and calibrating radial spacing between servo tracks using the measured slope and a target slope.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, are described for calibrating control loops, specifically phase-locked loops. In one aspect, an apparatus is provided that includes an oscillator model that generates a predicted phase based on an input, a first averaging submodule that generates an average predicted phase over a predetermined number of samples, and a first summing submodule that receives a first corrected phase error and generates a predicted repetitive phase disturbance using the first corrected phase error, the predicted phase, and the average predicted phase.

Abstract: A system comprises a positioning module that positions an actuator arm to read spirals that are prewritten. A frequency measuring module measures a first frequency of sync marks of said spirals. An estimation module calculates a second frequency of said sync marks when said actuator arm moves at a predetermined actuator velocity. A control module calculates an actuator velocity at which said spirals are prewritten based on said first frequency, said second frequency, and said predetermined actuator velocity.

Abstract: A synchronization system includes a signal generating module that generates a signal comprising modulated waveforms and a timing window generator that generates a timing window. A proportional integral controller (a) divides the timing window into a first half window and a second half window, (b) demodulates the digital signal in the first half window and the second half window, (c) compares an amplitude of demodulated signal in the first half window to an amplitude of demodulated signal in the second half window, (d) calculates a new location for the timing window, and (e) repeats (b), (c), and (d) until the amplitude in the first half window equals the amplitude in the second half window.

Abstract: A system includes a first current generator generating a first current to bias an actuator arm against a spring when a control signal is received and discontinues said first current to release said spring and accelerate said actuator arm when servo signals are generated. A second current generator generates a second current biasing said actuator arm away from said spring when said first current is discontinued.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed to charge a battery. A wall adapter may provide a power to a battery charger in a collapsed mode of operation. In the collapsed mode of operation, the wall adapter may provide the battery charger with a collapsed power. The battery charger may provide a charging current and/or voltage in a constant current charge mode of operation and/or a constant voltage charge mode of operation using the collapsed power. When operating in the constant current charge mode of operation, the battery charger provides the charging current and/or voltage having a constant current until the voltage of the battery is less than or substantially equal to a constant charge voltage. Alternatively, when operating in the constant voltage charge mode of operation, the battery provides the charging current and/or voltage having a constant voltage until the voltage of the battery is less than or substantially equal to a float voltage.

Abstract: A system includes a self-servo-write (SSW) module and a control module. The SSW module generates servo signals and a control signal. The control module generates a first current to bias an actuator arm against a spring when the control signal is received and discontinues the first current to release the spring and accelerate the actuator arm when the SSW module generates the servo signals.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a disk having a first servo burst written with advancing phase as a radial distance on the disk increases, and a second servo burst written with decreasing phase as a radial distance on the disk increases, and a transducing head, and a read channel. The disk drive also includes an element for shifting the phase of the signal produced by the first burst pattern with respect to the signal produced by the second burst pattern by an amount sufficient to substantially cancel distortion in a signal produced by the first servo burst with distortion in a signal produced by the second servo burst when the signal from the first servo burst is added to the signal from the second servo burst.

Abstract: A system comprises a positioning module, a frequency measuring module, a simulation module, and a control module. The positioning module positions an actuator arm adjacent to a track to read spirals that are prewritten using current of a predetermined frequency. The frequency measuring module measures a first frequency of sync marks of the spirals when the actuator arm is positioned adjacent to the track. The simulation module calculates a second frequency of the sync marks when the actuator arm moves at a predetermined actuator velocity. The control module calculates an actuator velocity at which the spirals are prewritten based on the first frequency, the second frequency, and the predetermined actuator velocity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention enables the trimming and writing of servo bursts in a null burst servo pattern as multiple portions in multiple passes while still demodulating each of the servo bursts as a single burst to obtain PES. Alternatively, the servo bursts can be trimmed and written using different currents in different passes respectively so that a gap can be created in the radial direction between the servo bursts. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.

Abstract: A system comprises a positioning module, a frequency measuring module, a simulation module, and a control module. The positioning module positions an actuator arm adjacent to a track to read spirals that are prewritten using current of a predetermined frequency. The frequency measuring module measures a first frequency of sync marks of the spirals when the actuator arm is positioned adjacent to the track. The simulation module calculates a second frequency of the sync marks when the actuator arm moves at a predetermined actuator velocity. The control module calculates an actuator velocity at which the spirals are prewritten based on the first frequency, the second frequency, and the predetermined actuator velocity.