Abstract: In a disk storage device dedicated servo system, a reference track is written in the outer guardband of the servo surface and each of the data surfaces. Supplemental position error signal (PES) values are obtained from the difference of servo and data surface samples at a plurality of locations around the disk and stored for access during read/write operations. The supplemental PES values are combined with the dedicated surface PES values to yield a composite PES that more accurately follows the data track centerline of the disk surface being addressed. The supplemental PES values are also periodically updated. To provide a more accurate correction of the composite PES, two consecutive supplemental values are used and an interpolation is calculated to provide a continuously changing supplemental PES value for modification of each sector actuator drive pulse between the two current supplemental PES values.

Abstract: A disk file having on one side of a disk a servo track and a plurality of data tracks all equally spaced on centers and a carriage translatable across the disk and having an array of read/write heads some of which are spaced on centers for the distance equal to the spacing between adjacent ones of said tracks and others of which are spaced on centers for multiples of the distance between adjacent ones of said tracks, the spacing between heads being such that when said heads are successively in alignment with said servo track the others of said heads are aligned with said data tracks.