Abstract: The present invention reduces the time required for coefficient convergence and thus improves time-to-ready. To that end, the present invention provides an initial learn—preferably non-zero—coefficient. The initial learn coefficient is based on a translation of timing information to position information. One aspect of the present invention uses address marks of a disc then translates them to phase position information. The present invention measures the times between address marks of adjacent servo sectors. Variations between those times is related is related to disc runout, particularly disc eccentricity. Also, the servo sectors are used to identify at which phase the maximum amplitude (or magnitude) of the timing variations occur. This phase information and maximum amplitude are used as variables in determining the initial learn coefficient. The present invention also utilizes a plant model to predetermine a variable.

Abstract: A disc drive has transducers supported by an actuator to fly proximate data tracks on surfaces of rotating information storage discs. Each of the discs is partitioned into concentric regions. A control system arranges the deposition of data in write operations to the tracks on the disc surfaces, as data is written to the discs, such that the data is sequentially organized both on the tracks and within each of the regions. The control system writes data from a track adjacent a first region boundary in a first direction to a second region boundary until all tracks in a region are full. The control system executes a head switch between adjacent surfaces of the discs. The write sequence is repeated in each adjacent region until all regions are full. The resulting trapezoidal serpentine pattern of actuator movement and head switches is repeated until all of the write operations are complete.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for more accurate track following. Control circuitry rotates a data storage surface containing thousands of annular tracks. A “measured” subset of the tracks is selected so as to be interspersed with an “unmeasured” subset. The calibration profile is derived based on position error signals each obtained by reading from the measured subset and not from the unmeasured subset. Data from the unmeasured subset of tracks is ignored, in generating and/or updating the profile.

Abstract: A disc drive has transducers supported by an actuator to fly proximate data tracks on surfaces of rotating information storage discs. Each of the discs is partitioned into concentric regions. A control system arranges the deposition of data in write operations to the tracks on the disc surfaces, as data is written to the discs, such that the data is sequentially organized both on the tracks and within each of the regions. The control system writes data from a track adjacent a first region boundary in a first direction to a second region boundary until all tracks in a region are full. The control system executes a head switch between adjacent surfaces of the discs. The write sequence is repeated in each adjacent region until all regions are full. The resulting trapezoidal serpentine pattern of actuator movement and head switches is repeated until all of the write operations are complete.

Abstract: A method for determining the repeatable timing error in reclamped media is disclosed. The method allows the variation of the time intervals between servo sectors or other known locations on tracks on the disc to be determined and saved on the data storage device for later use in checking the timing during device operation. A second method for pulling write gate during data storage device operation based on known repeatable timing error data is also disclosed. This method checks the measured time intervals between sectors against an acceptable time interval range determined based on the known repeatable timing error for the disc.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention may be described as a method of determining a disc drive head position over a data surface during a head switch operation. The method includes switching from a first head located over a first data surface on one disc to a second head located over a second data surface on a different disc. Each data surface has non-index servo sectors interspersed between a plurality of index servo sectors defined thereon, and each index servo sector has a unique index code corresponding to its angular track position. The method also includes reading an index code from an index servo sector on the second surface and determining an index servo sector number from the index code. Additionally, the method includes incrementing the servo sector number as the second head encounters subsequent servo sectors. A disc drive includes data storage discs arranged in a disc stack.

Abstract: The present invention reduces the time required for coefficient convergence and thus improves time-to-ready. To that end, the present invention provides an initial learn—preferably non-zero—coefficient. The initial learn coefficient is based on a translation of timing information to position information. One aspect of the present invention uses address marks of a disc then translates them to phase position information. The present invention measures the times between address marks of adjacent servo sectors. Variations between those times is related is related to disc runout, particularly disc eccentricity. Also, the servo sectors are used to identify at which phase the maximum amplitude (or magnitude) of the timing variations occur. This phase information and maximum amplitude are used as variables in determining the initial learn coefficient. The present invention also utilizes a plant model to predetermine a variable.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for more accurate track following. Control circuitry rotates a data storage surface containing thousands of annular tracks. A “measured” subset of the tracks is selected so as to be interspersed with an “unmeasured” subset. The calibration profile is derived based on position error signals each obtained by reading from the measured subset and not from the unmeasured subset. Data from the unmeasured subset of tracks is ignored, in generating and/or updating the profile.