Abstract: A disk drive includes a sampled servo controller for periodically adjusting a control effort signal during a track-following operation based on embedded distributed position information and repeatable runout (RRO) cancellation values for reducing effects of RRO in the distributed position information during track following. A magnetic disk in the disk drive stores RRO information relating to predetermined RRO cancellation values for a data storage track. The RRO information for the data storage track includes at least one first data structure having a first predetermined number of data bits for representing an initial RRO cancellation value, and includes at least one second data structure having a second predetermined number of data bits associated with a respective subsequent RRO cancellation value. The first predetermined number of data bits is greater than the second predetermined number of data bits.

Abstract: A Head Gimbal Assembly (HGA) for use in a disk drive and comprising an ESD-protected slider comprising a head formed on a slider substrate. The slider may comprise an electrical-isolation circuit; an electrically-resistive path between head input connections and the slider; or both isolation circuits and resistive paths for reducing electrostatic charge on the slider while remaining connected during disk drive operations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a head stack load comb used in the controlled loading of a head of a head stack assembly (HSA) onto a disk during the assembly of a disk drive. The HSA includes an actuator arm, a head, and a loading surface. The load comb includes a base structure and at least one ramp finger projecting approximately perpendicularly from the base structure. In order to load the head in a controlled manner onto the disk, the loading surface of the HSA is rotated along the ramp finger until the head is in a load position and then the base structure is actuated in a vertical direction such that the ramp finger is correspondingly actuated in the vertical direction towards the disk until the head is loaded onto the disk.

Abstract: Disclosed is a ramp used for the controlled loading of a head of a head stack assembly (HSA) onto a disk of a disk drive. The HSA includes an actuator arm, a head, and a loading surface. The ramp comprises a base structure and at least one ramp finger projecting approximately perpendicularly from the base structure. In order to load the head in a controlled manner onto the disk, the loading surface of the HSA is rotated along the ramp finger until the head is in a load position. The base structure is then actuated in a vertical direction such that the ramp finger is correspondingly actuated in the vertical direction towards the disk until the head is loaded onto the disk.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk and a head actuated radially over the disk. A pattern detector detects a predetermined pattern in write data to be written to the disk, and in response, adjusts a write current overshoot in a write current applied to the head.

Abstract: A Head Gimbal Assembly (HGA) for use in a disk drive and further includes a head having a read element and a write element; and a Trace Gimbal Assembly (TGA) attached to the head. The TGA includes a conductor array having a first end connected to the read element and the write element and a distal end for connecting the read element and the write element to a signal processing circuit, a conductive substrate supporting the head and the conductor array and a dielectric layer disposed between the conductor array and the conductive substrate. The TGA further includes a shunt connected at the distal end for shunting the read element; and an anti-static coating, covering a substantial portion of the conductor array for neutralizing electrostatic charge accumulation on the conductor array.