Abstract: A method for managing scratches on a disk of a hard disk drive is disclosed. By dividing the disk into a plurality of evaluation groups, testing each evaluation group for defects, calculating line equations based on the detected defects and determining whether the defects of the evaluation groups appreciably conform to their respective line equations, scratch fill operations may be appropriately performed using the line equations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to control an operating clock frequency of a hard disk drive. The method includes analyzing a command workload, and changing the operating clock frequency of the hard disk drive based on an analysis result. Alternatively, the method includes measuring a time taken to receive a predetermined number of write/read commands and controlling the operating clock frequency of the hard disk drive based on a result of a comparison of the measured time with at least one reference value. An operating clock frequency control block included in the hard disk drive executes the method.

Abstract: For performing a retry in a data storage device, a spin jitter value corresponding to a desired sector of a disc is determined. A read timing is adjusted according to the spin jitter value of the desired sector. A retry of a data read is performed for the desired sector with the adjusted read timing. Thus, the present invention accounts for eccentricity of the disc as indicated by the spin jitter value during retry of the data read operation.

Abstract: A flying on demand (FOD) voltage of a hard disk drive (HDD) is controlled by detecting a shock occurring to the HDD on which a magnetic head that records data on a disk or reproduces data from the disk is mounted, and if the shock is detected, controlling the FOD voltage that is applied to the magnetic head to thermally expand an end of the magnetic head.

Abstract: A plurality of retry tables is used for adaptive and flexible error correction during a read/write operation within a disk drive. The plurality of retry tables is stored in a data storage unit, and one of the retry tables is selected to be used for the error correction. In addition, firmware is not modified for using any of the plurality of retry tables during the error correction. One of the retry tables becomes eventually selected as being optimum for the error correction depending on an application, operating conditions, and head/mechanical characteristics of the disk drive.

Abstract: A method of performing a retry in a data storage system, and an apparatus using the same, includes storing information regarding retry parameters corresponding to a position on a storage medium in response to successfully reading data from the position using the retry parameters, reading the data from the position in a subsequent read operation according to the stored information, and rewriting the data at the position.

Abstract: A method of controlling unloading of a hard disk drive, and more particularly, a method and an apparatus for controlling an unload standby time of a hard disk drive according to the accumulated number of unloading operations. The method includes: standing by for an unload standby time in an idle state of the hard disk drive; unloading a head and then counting the number of unloading operations to determine an accumulated number of unloading operations performed by the hard disk drive after the standby time is passed; and reallocating the unload standby time according to the accumulated number of unloading operations. A standby time for an unloading operation is adjusted according to the accumulated number of unloading operations in a hard disk drive such that the possibility of damaging data is minimized.

Abstract: A flying on demand (FOD) voltage of a hard disk drive (HDD) is controlled by detecting a shock occurring to the HDD on which a magnetic head that records data on a disk or reproduces data from the disk is mounted, and if the shock is detected, controlling the FOD voltage that is applied to the magnetic head to thermally expand an end of the magnetic head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to control an operating clock frequency of a hard disk drive. The method includes analyzing a command workload, and changing the operating clock frequency of the hard disk drive based on an analysis result. Alternatively, the method includes measuring a time taken to receive a predetermined number of write/read commands and controlling the operating clock frequency of the hard disk drive based on a result of a comparison of the measured time with at least one reference value. An operating clock frequency control block included in the hard disk drive executes the method.

Abstract: A method for managing scratches on a disk of a hard disk drive is disclosed. By dividing the disk into a plurality of evaluation groups, testing each evaluation group for defects, calculating line equations based on the detected defects and determining whether the defects of the evaluation groups appreciably conform to their respective line equations, scratch fill operations may be appropriately performed using the line equations.

Abstract: A self-Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID) system using a hard disk drive having a backup head and a method of writing data to and reading data from the hard disk drive having the backup head are provided. A self-RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) system using a hard disk drive with at least one writable and readable disk medium includes a spindle motor, heads, an actuator arm, and a controller. The spindle motor rotates the disk medium. The heads face each other above and below the disk medium. The actuator arm drives the heads. The controller controls the heads to write data to and read data from the disk medium using a mode selection signal.

Abstract: A method of controlling unloading of a hard disk drive, and more particularly, a method and an apparatus for controlling an unload standby time of a hard disk drive according to the accumulated number of unloading operations. The method includes: standing by for an unload standby time in an idle state of the hard disk drive; unloading a head and then counting the number of unloading operations to determine an accumulated number of unloading operations performed by the hard disk drive after the standby time is passed; and reallocating the unload standby time according to the accumulated number of unloading operations. A standby time for an unloading operation is adjusted according to the accumulated number of unloading operations in a hard disk drive such that the possibility of damaging data is minimized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a write current capable of improving an adjacent track erasure (ATE) property of a hard disk drive. The method for controlling the write current in a hard disk drive includes applying overshoot current and write current to a head to write data on a disk, waiting for a predetermined time to pass, with the predetermined time being determined according to a thermal pole tip protrusion (TPTP) property of the head, and reducing the overshoot current and the write current upon passing of the predetermined time. Accordingly, since the overshoot current and the write current are decreased at the time of the TPTP being saturated, it is possible to effectively improve an ATE property of the hard disk drive.

Abstract: A method of setting an idle operation mode of an hard disc drive (HDD) according to a power type used by a host system, and an apparatus suitable for the idle operation mode setting method, a method of setting a waiting time until a head is unloaded from an idle state of the HDD, and an apparatus suitable for the waiting time setting method, the method including, if a power source used by a host system combined with the HDD is a general-use power source, prohibiting the use of a power saving operation mode even though the HDD is in an idle state; and if the power source used by the host system is a battery, allowing the use of the power saving operation mode when the HDD is in the idle state. The method of controlling an idle operation mode of an HDD allows performance of the HDD to be maintained by not unloading a head when a power source that a host system is using is a general-use power source.

Abstract: For performing a retry in a data storage device, a spin jitter value corresponding to a desired sector of a disc is determined. A read timing is adjusted according to the spin jitter value of the desired sector. A retry of a data read is performed for the desired sector with the adjusted read timing. Thus, the present invention accounts for eccentricity of the disc as indicated by the spin jitter value during retry of the data read operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a write current capable of improving an adjacent track erasure (ATE) property of a hard disk drive. The method for controlling the write current in a hard disk drive includes applying overshoot current and write current to a head to write data on a disk, waiting for a predetermined time to pass, with the predetermined time being determined according to a thermal pole tip protrusion (TPTP) property of the head, and reducing the overshoot current and the write current upon passing of the predetermined time. Accordingly, since the overshoot current and the write current are decreased at the time of the TPTP being saturated, it is possible to effectively improve an ATE property of the hard disk drive.

Abstract: A method of performing a retry in a data storage system, and an apparatus using the same, includes storing information regarding retry parameters corresponding to a position on a storage medium in response to successfully reading data from the position using the retry parameters, reading the data from the position in a subsequent read operation according to the stored information, and rewriting the data at the position.

Abstract: A plurality of retry tables is used for adaptive and flexible error correction during a read/write operation within a disk drive. The plurality of retry tables is stored in a data storage unit, and one of the retry tables is selected to be used for the error correction. In addition, firmware is not modified for using any of the plurality of retry tables during the error correction. One of the retry tables becomes eventually selected as being optimum for the error correction depending on an application, operating conditions, and head/mechanical characteristics of the disk drive.

Abstract: A self-Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID) system using a hard disk drive having a backup head and a method of writing data to and reading data from the hard disk drive having the backup head are provided. A self-RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) system using a hard disk drive with at least one writable and readable disk medium includes a spindle motor, heads, an actuator arm, and a controller. The spindle motor rotates the disk medium. The heads face each other above and below the disk medium. The actuator arm drives the heads. The controller controls the heads to write data to and read data from the disk medium using a mode selection signal.