Abstract: A method of operating a data storage device is provided. Size information of write data and write speed information is received from a host. A first write area is determined to store the write data based on the size information and the write speed information. The write data is received from the host. The write data is written to the first write area using at least one method selected among a plurality of write methods according to the write speed information.

Abstract: A method of operating a data storage device is provided. Size information of write data and write speed information is received from a host. A first write area is determined to store the write data based on the size information and the write speed information. The write data is received from the host. The write data is written to the first write area using at least one method selected among a plurality of write methods according to the write speed information.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hard disk drive and an operation method thereof. A method of operating a hard disk drive according to the present invention may include (a) loading drive data required to drive the hard disk drive from a maintenance cylinder area contained in a disk to a memory; and (b) writing test data output from a head into a spare area contained in the maintenance cylinder area, wherein the steps (a) and (b) are carried out within a ready time.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hard disk drive and an operation method thereof. A method of operating a hard disk drive according to the present invention may include (a) loading drive data required to drive the hard disk drive from a maintenance cylinder area contained in a disk to a memory; and (b) writing test data output from a head into a spare area contained in the maintenance cylinder area, wherein the steps (a) and (b) are carried out within a ready time.

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: A method of preventing data loss in a hard disk drive comprises detecting a write error, performing a write retry operation upon detection of the write error, and storing write retry information in a non-volatile memory before performing the write retry operation. The write retry information comprises location information and data for a sector to be rewritten in the write retry operation.

Abstract: A controller for use in a disk drive includes a comparison signal generator for comparing a period of time when a write unsafe signal output from a pre-amplifier is activated with a reference period of time to generate a comparison signal; a write failure signal generator for generating a write failure signal according to a write gate signal and the comparison signal; and a logger for logging at least one of the period of time when a write unsafe signal output from a pre-amplifier is activated and the number of times of activations of the comparison signal.

Abstract: A clock frequency adjusting method capable of reducing power consumption without reducing a response speed for a command output from a host in an idle mode is provided. In the clock frequency adjusting method, a central processing unit (CPU) generates a detection signal according to whether an interrupt signal is activated, and a frequency adjusting circuit provides a clock signal having a first frequency or a second frequency higher than the first frequency to the CPU in response to the detection signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of controlling power consumption of a digital processing device. The apparatus and method determine whether a power management mode of the digital processing device is enabled. When a power management mode is enabled, the power is reduced to at least one portion of the digital processing device to fully power one or more memory devices of the digital processing device to a normal operation ready state. When the power management mode is disabled, power is provided to the one or more memory devices of the digital processing device to the normal operation ready state.

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 of handling a servo sector defect includes recognizing a first servo sector using a controller; determining whether the first servo sector has a defect; and when the first servo sector has a defect assigning at least a part of a next data sector to be assigned to the first servo sector to a second servo sector having no defect.

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.