Abstract: Gain values used by a variable gain amplifier (VGA) to read servo marks of a heat-assisted recording medium are measured. Sector-specific, repeatable gain values that indicate an expected VGA gain at a desired clearance are determined based on the measured gain values. The sector-specific, repeatable gain values are used as input to a closed-loop clearance controller together with measured values of servo VGA gain while writing data to the recording medium.

Abstract: Gain values used by a variable gain amplifier (VGA) to read servo marks of a heat-assisted recording medium are measured. Sector-specific, repeatable gain values that indicate an expected VGA gain at a desired clearance are determined based on the measured gain values. The sector-specific, repeatable gain values are used as input to a closed-loop clearance controller together with measured values of servo VGA gain while writing data to the recording medium.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for temporarily writing data to a buffer zone on a recording medium of a storage device when the device is operating in a vibration condition. A vibration condition is detected in the storage device, and upon detecting the vibration condition, data of a current write operation is written to a buffer zone on a recording medium of the storage device, the buffer zone being configured with a lower areal density of storage than primary storage zones on the recording medium. At a later time, an idle condition may be detected in the device, and upon detecting the idle condition, it may be determined whether the vibration condition exists. If it is determined that the vibration condition no longer exists, the data is transferred from the buffer zone to the primary storage zones on the recording medium.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for temporarily writing data to a buffer zone on a recording medium of a storage device when the device is operating in a vibration condition. A vibration condition is detected in the storage device, and upon detecting the vibration condition, data of a current write operation is written to a buffer zone on a recording medium of the storage device, the buffer zone being configured with a lower areal density of storage than primary storage zones on the recording medium. At a later time, an idle condition may be detected in the device, and upon detecting the idle condition, it may be determined whether the vibration condition exists. If it is determined that the vibration condition no longer exists, the data is transferred from the buffer zone to the primary storage zones on the recording medium.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a controller configured to be coupled to a read/write head. The controller is configured to perform various operations including detecting a change in a time interval difference between servo sectors of a servo marked recording medium, converting the change to an offset signal that compensates for the change, and positioning the read/write head relative to the servo mark recording medium in response to the offset signal. The change in the time interval difference is representative of disk slip.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a controller configured to detect a seek failure of a read/write head. The controller is additionally configured to perform a seek recovery operation in accordance with a recovery sequence in response to the seek failure; the recovery sequence comprising a plurality of recovery procedures. Further, the controller is configured to determine if the seek recovery operation is successful and determine which of the recovery procedures provided the success. And, the controller is configured to dynamically calculate the success rate of each recovery procedure, modify the recovery sequence based on the success of the seek recovery operation and based on the success rate of recovery procedures providing the success.

Abstract: A shock absorber is provided that also includes vibration damping. The shock absorber includes at least one shock absorbing frame member that partially surrounds an electronic device enclosure. The shock absorber also includes at least two protrusions that protrude from the at least one shock absorbing frame member. Each protrusion extends beyond the at least one shock absorbing frame member from a recessed surface recessed into the at least one shock absorbing frame member.

Abstract: The disclosure is related to monitoring a portable electronic device to detect an occurrence of a power event. A command can be sent to a data storage device to initiate a maintenance procedure on the data storage device. In a particular embodiment, a method includes monitoring a portable electronic device to detect an occurrence of a power event. The method also includes selectively sending a command to a data storage device to initiate a maintenance procedure on the data storage device when the occurrence of the power event is detected.

Abstract: A multi-stage tracking control system includes at least a main actuator and a microactuator. The tracking control system is switched to a single-stage mode so that the main actuator alone provides tracking. A disturbance signal is applied to the microactuator while in the single-stage mode, and a failure condition of the microactuator is determined based on a position error generated in response to the disturbance signal.

Abstract: A multi-stage tracking control system includes at least a main actuator and a microactuator. The tracking control system is switched to a single-stage mode so that the main actuator alone provides tracking. A disturbance signal is applied to the microactuator while in the single-stage mode, and a failure condition of the microactuator is determined based on a position error generated in response to the disturbance signal.

Abstract: One way to minimize full DC head-skew re-calibrations rendered necessary by changes in storage media drive operating temperature is to compensate for temperature-induced DC head-skew using a known relationship between temperature-induced DC head-skew and storage media operating temperature. More specifically, a first DC head-skew is measured at a first arbitrary temperature of the storage media drive. A second DC head-skew is measured at a second arbitrary temperature of the storage media drive. A DC head-skew correction factor is calculated using the first and second DC head-skews at the first and second arbitrary temperatures. When a multi-head storage media drive is powered-up for operation, a temperature sensor located in the storage media drive assembly measures the current storage media drive temperature. The head-skew correction factor is applied based on the measured temperature to correct the DC head-skew.

Abstract: A storage medium format is provided having a first band of a plurality of consecutive data storage tracks having user data stored thereto, a second band of a plurality of consecutive data storage tracks having other user data stored thereto, and a guard track medially disposed therebetween the first band and the second band and having system data stored thereto.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to protecting a device from damage due to an impact event at the conclusion of a free fall condition through the use of a biasing signal that maintains a retention force until the impact event is completed.

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure relates to implementing a data protection mode based on system vibration modes in a data supported system. An exemplary system vibration mode is associated with an operating mode of the data supported system. The data protection mode operates to limit, or prevent, errors caused by the vibration. In one exemplary embodiment, a method is provided for operating a data supported system. The method includes receiving an indication that a vibration associated with an operating mode of the system will occur and, in response, implementing a data protection mode in the system.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a controller is adapted to control a spindle motor that controls rotation of at least one rotatable disc of a storage device. The controller is adapted to increase a spindle speed associated with the spindle motor to an unload spindle speed that is greater than an operating spindle speed during a ramp unload operation.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a controller is adapted to control a spindle motor that controls rotation of at least one rotatable disc of a storage device. The controller is adapted to increase a spindle speed associated with the spindle motor to an unload spindle speed that is greater than an operating spindle speed during a ramp unload operation.

Abstract: A method of handling a write error is provided. A write error is detected during a write operation on at least one data storage segment. A reassignment mode is selected from a plurality of different reassignment modes.

Abstract: A shock detection circuit housed in an electronic device includes an output shock signal that is indicative of vibration amplitude. To compensate for vibrations that are experienced by the electronic device, the output shock signal is analyzed. The analysis of the output shock signal allows a vibration frequency of the output shock signal to be identified and used in vibration compensation.

Abstract: Apparatus and related methods are described for adjusting servo gain. In an exemplary apparatus, a circuit determines a bias force error that occurs between an estimated bias force and an actual bias force on an actuator during movement by a servo motor. The circuit adjusts a servo gain in response to the bias force error, and regulates movement of the actuator by the servo motor in response to the servo gain.

Abstract: A terminal voltage of an actuator motor is measured while the actuator motor is in a high impedance state. An internal voltage of the actuator motor is measured, and a back-EMF voltage of the actuator motor is estimated in response to the terminal voltage of the actuator motor and the internal voltage of the actuator motor. A drive current supplied to the actuator motor is controlled in response to the estimated back-EMF.