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: 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.

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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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: A data storage medium and data storage system with improved efficiency of formatting are provided. One illustrative embodiment of the present invention pertains to a data storage medium. The data storage medium includes a first zone having servo information written with a first frequency, a second zone having servo information written with a second frequency, and a guard band disposed between the first zone and the second zone. The use of different frequencies in different zones contributes to optimizing the properties of the data storage medium, and the guard band contributes to optimizing the usage of the different zones.

Abstract: Several readings of an actuator's location are taken with a given head while urging the actuator against a mechanical stop, which acts as a guide. These readings are useful, for example, for estimating certain offsets or for determining a nominal track range for a data surface.

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 reverse torque, forward commutation motor driver system for a phased motor rapidly decelerates or “brakes” the motor by exciting, in sequence, a complementary excitation signal in each normal commutation state of the forward state machine, thereby providing an active braking effect. After active braking reduces the rotational velocity of the motor below a threshold, a dynamic braking technique can replace the active braking, wherein high-side drivers are set to an opposite voltage as compared to low-side drivers.

Abstract: A data storage device adapted to compensate for physical disturbances has a storage medium, a read-write mechanism positionable relative to the storage medium, and a disturbance observer. The read-write mechanism is adapted to read and write data. The disturbance observer compensates a position of the read-write mechanism according to low-frequency components of physical disturbances.

Abstract: A motion pattern of an actuator supporting a head is monitored during/after a disc spin-up. The monitor's signal is configured to generate a digital indication of where the head was just before the spin-up. The digital indication is optionally a single-bit indicator that is used directly as a decision of whether to continue a start-up operation.

Abstract: A location within a cycle is determined by reading a portion of a cyclic bit sequence, the bit sequence containing several interspersed bit-group sets that each contain a plurality of series that each consist of several consecutively-placed identical bit-groups. On a data surface in a disc drive, each bit group can be stored and accessed in unused bits of each servo sector's digital portion.

Abstract: A voltage-mode VCM controller is provided comprising an Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filter that modifies a servo control voltage signal to a voltage driver in response to an adaptive compensator that configures the IIR filter in relation to an observed VCM velocity and an actual VCM velocity. An associated method is provided comprising modeling a velocity response of a VCM to a voltage input; inputting the observed velocity and an actual VCM velocity to an adaptive compensator that computes a gain and a VCM response pole frequency in relation to the VCM resistance and inductance; configuring an IIR filter in relation to the computed gain and pole frequency values; and using the IIR filter to modify a voltage command from a servo controller to a power driver.

Abstract: A data storage device adapted to compensate for physical disturbances has a storage medium, a read-write mechanism positionable relative to the storage medium, and a disturbance observer. The read-write mechanism is adapted to read and write data. The disturbance observer compensates a position of the read-write mechanism according to low-frequency components of physical disturbances.

Abstract: A data storage medium and data storage system with improved efficiency of formatting are provided. One illustrative embodiment of the present invention pertains to a data storage medium. The data storage medium includes a first zone having servo information written with a first frequency, a second zone having servo information written with a second frequency, and a guard band disposed between the first zone and the second zone. The use of different frequencies in different zones contributes to optimizing the properties of the data storage medium, and the guard band contributes to optimizing the usage of the different zones.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and combination for reducing acoustical noise at start-up of a device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of determining an internal temperature of the device, and unlatching an actuator of the device based on the determined internal temperature of the device, by steps for unlatching the actuator of the device. The apparatus includes a thermistor providing a resistance value to a controller that selects an unlatch process based on the resistance value of the thermistor, and an unlatch procedure programmed into the controller executing the selected unlatch process. The device combination includes a base deck supporting an actuator confined by a magnetic latch for periods of inactivity, and unlatched from the magnetic latch for periods of activity by steps for unlatching the actuator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensating for the asymmetrical phases of a spindle motor in a disc drive are provided. With the apparatus and method, compensation values are learned by sampling speed data during a period of operation of the disc drive where the speed is stable and only one control operation is performed per revolution of the disc. The sampled speed data is used to generate the compensation values for each of the phases of the spindle motor. The compensation values are stored in a compensation mechanism which is used by the spindle motor speed controller to provide compensation for the asymmetrical phases of the spindle motor. During Normal operation, the actual speed output of the spindle motor is measured and is subtracted from a reference speed to generate a difference speed value. Based on the corresponding electrical phase, the correct compensation value is fetched and is subtracted from the difference speed value to obtain a compensated difference speed value.