Abstract: Various illustrative aspects are directed to a data storage device comprising data tracks N and N?1, and one or more processing devices, configured to identify, during a track write on the data track N, a write abort event based upon an expected risk for the data track N?1 exceeding a risk threshold, read one or more sectors of the data track N?1 and collect one or more corresponding sector metrics, verify the one or more sectors based upon the collected sector metrics, wherein the verifying comprises assigning each of the one or more sectors as one of a readable or a non-readable sector, and continue the track write on the data track N upon determining each of the one or more sectors is a readable sector, or recovering and relocating the data track N?1 based on determining at least one of the sectors is a non-readable sector.

Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk comprising a plurality of servo sectors defining a plurality of data tracks, wherein each servo sector comprises a track ID followed by a sync mark followed by at least one servo burst, and a first servo sector does not include a preamble. During a read operation, a servo gate is opened in order to read the track ID, the sync mark, and the servo burst of the first servo sector. During a write operation, the servo gate is opened in order to miss reading at least part of the track ID of the first servo sector so as to reduce a write gap preceding the first servo sector.

Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk comprising a plurality of servo sectors defining a plurality of data tracks, wherein each servo sector comprises a track ID followed by a sync mark followed by at least one servo burst, and a first servo sector does not include a preamble. During a read operation, a servo gate is opened in order to read the track ID, the sync mark, and the servo burst of the first servo sector. During a write operation, the servo gate is opened in order to miss reading at least part of the track ID of the first servo sector so as to reduce a write gap preceding the first servo sector.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly (BHA) and method for drilling a bore with a pneumatic percussion hammer includes an expandable packer surrounding the stem rod connected to the hammer. The packer has an inner surface confronting the outer surface of the stem rod in an axially slideable, sealed relationship. The packer is expanded and fixed in the bore to separate a region of high hydraulic pressure above the packer from a region of lower hydraulic pressure below the packer. The method includes operating the pneumatic hammer and bit, while (i) the stem rod advances with a sliding seal against an inside surface of the expanded packer; (ii) pneumatic pressurization and exhaust for the hammer are guided within the stem rod; and (iii) the exhaust from the hammer is discharged into the lower clearance region surrounding the bit at the bottom of the bore.

Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk. A first plurality of codewords and corresponding parity sector are generated, and a second plurality of codewords and corresponding parity sector are generated. The first and second plurality of codewords are written to the disk, and during a read of the first and second set of codewords, M codeword locations within the data track that are unrecoverable are saved, and N codeword locations out of the M codeword locations are selected based on a quality metric of the read. The N codewords are reread from the data track at the N codeword locations and reliability metrics associated with the N codewords are saved. The saved reliability metrics are updated using at least one of the first parity sector or the second parity sector.

Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk. A first plurality of codewords and corresponding parity sector are generated, and a second plurality of codewords and corresponding parity sector are generated. The first and second plurality of codewords are written to the disk, and during a read of the first and second set of codewords, M codeword locations within the data track that are unrecoverable are saved, and N codeword locations out of the M codeword locations are selected based on a quality metric of the read. The N codewords are reread from the data track at the N codeword locations and reliability metrics associated with the N codewords are saved. The saved reliability metrics are updated using at least one of the first parity sector or the second parity sector.

Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed wherein a first plurality of codewords are generated each comprising a plurality of symbols, and a first parity sector is generated over the first plurality of codewords. A second plurality of codewords are generated each comprising a plurality of symbols, and a second parity sector is generated over the second plurality of codewords. A third parity sector is generated over a first subset of the first plurality of codewords and a first subset of the second plurality of codewords, and a fourth parity sector is generated over a second subset of the first plurality of codewords and a second subset of the second plurality of codewords. When processing of a first codeword fails, the first codeword and the first parity sector are processed using a LDPC type decoder, and the first codeword and the third parity sector are processed using the LDPC type decoder.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly (BHA) and method for drilling a bore with a pneumatic percussion hammer includes an expandable packer surrounding the stem rod connected to the hammer. The packer has an inner surface confronting the outer surface of the stem rod in an axially slideable, sealed relationship. The packer is expanded and fixed in the bore to separate a region of high hydraulic pressure above the packer from a region of lower hydraulic pressure below the packer. The method includes operating the pneumatic hammer and bit, while (i) the stem rod advances with a sliding seal against an inside surface of the expanded packer; (ii) pneumatic pressurization and exhaust for the hammer are guided within the stem rod; and (iii) the exhaust from the hammer is discharged into the lower clearance region surrounding the bit at the bottom of the bore.

Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed wherein a first plurality of codewords are generated each comprising a plurality of symbols, and a first parity sector is generated over the first plurality of codewords. A second plurality of codewords are generated each comprising a plurality of symbols, and a second parity sector is generated over the second plurality of codewords. A third parity sector is generated over a first subset of the first plurality of codewords and a first subset of the second plurality of codewords, and a fourth parity sector is generated over a second subset of the first plurality of codewords and a second subset of the second plurality of codewords. When processing of a first codeword fails, the first codeword and the first parity sector are processed using a LDPC type decoder, and the first codeword and the third parity sector are processed using the LDPC type decoder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided which introduces a relative skew between a servo pattern and a magneto-resistive (MR) head in order to reduce interference introduced by inductive reading of shields formed as part of the MR head. The relative skew may be accomplished by introducing a skew angle directly on the head or by skewing the servo pattern formed on the magnetic medium relative to the head. Various skewed patterns may be used to reduce the overall interference.