Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk comprising a plurality of data tracks, wherein the head comprises a write element radially offset from a read element by a writer/reader offset that varies relative to a radial location of the head over the disk. A first radial band (RB) of the data tracks is written from an outer diameter (OD) of the disk toward an inner diameter (ID) of the disk, and a first jog profile is calibrated for the first radial band that compensates for the writer/reader offset. A second RB is written from an ID to an OD, and a second jog profile is calibrated for the second RB that compensates for the writer/reader offset. The first RB is accessed using the first jog profile, and the second RB is accessed using the second jog profile.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a plurality of disk surfaces, and a head actuated over each disk surface. An off-track read capability (OTRC) is measured for each disk surface, and a radial density of data tracks for each disk surface is selected in response to the OTRCs. A linear density of at least two disk surfaces is adjusted to balance the OTRCs across the disk surfaces.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk including a plurality of tracks, a head actuated over the disk, and control circuitry. The control circuitry is operable to: write a target track including a plurality of data wedges; determine optimization metrics for the data wedges of the plurality of data wedges as the data wedges are read; store the optimization metrics for the data wedges from the target track; and remove a first portion and a second portion of the optimization metrics such that a remaining portion of the optimization metrics remains. Further, the control circuitry is operable to calculate an average optimization metric value for the remaining portion of optimization metrics for use in read channel optimization.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk including a plurality of tracks, a head actuated over the disk, and control circuitry. The control circuitry is operable to: write a target track including a plurality of data wedges; determine optimization metrics for the data wedges of the plurality of data wedges as the data wedges are read; store the optimization metrics for the data wedges from the target track; and remove a first portion and a second portion of the optimization metrics such that a remaining portion of the optimization metrics remains. Further, the control circuitry is operable to calculate an average optimization metric value for the remaining portion of optimization metrics for use in read channel optimization.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for selecting a format for a disk surface of a disk drive, the disk drive comprising the disk surface, and a head actuated over the disk surface. A first TPI is selected for the disk surface, and then evaluated to determine whether it is compatible with a first target capacity. If the first TPI is not compatible with the first target capacity, then a second TPI is selected for the disk surface wherein the second TPI is less than the first TPI.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk having a plurality of data tracks. An ideal data tracks per inch (TPI) profile is determined for the disk, and an actual data TPI profile is generated that estimates the ideal data TPI profile by combining a first segment of a first predetermined data TPI profile and a second segment of a second predetermined data TPI profile.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising control circuitry operable to calibrate a write current parameter. A write current is initialized to an initial write current INIT_Iw, and an overshoot is initialized to a maximum MAX_OS. The write current is swept from INIT_Iw to a maximum write current MAX_Iw while writing and reading data from a target track to measure a first quality metric. A second quality metric associated with wide track erasure is also measured. A quality of the write operations is determined in response to the first and second quality metrics. When the quality of the write operations does not exceed a threshold, at least one of the MAX_Iw and MAX_OS is decreased and the process is repeated. Otherwise, the write current is swept from a minimum write current limit MAX_Iw to the adjusted MAX_Iw for a plurality of tracks to find an optimal write current for each track.