Abstract: A method and system for utilizing a digital filter for actuator positioning control in a disk device. In accordance with the method and system of the present invention multiple selectable filter modules are provided. Each of the multiple selectable filter modules functions in a serial or parallel filtering mode when selected. Multiple configurable registers are also provided wherein the configuration of each of the multiple configurable registers determines a selection of at least one of the multiple selectable filter modules. Particular ones of the multiple configurable registers are selected, such that a configuration of the digital filter is dynamically selectable in order to achieve a predetermined filter output.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting and correcting for undesirable vibrations impacting the servo systems in data storage devices. A detection technique is provided wherein a detection filter is configured to scan a position signal of the servo system across a range of frequencies, and, at each respective scanned frequency, record an amplitude associated therewith. The recorded amplitudes are examined to determine whether any exceed a threshold, thereby locating a peak frequency of the vibration. Using the detected peak frequency of the vibration, a corrective filter is configured to operate about the peak frequency of vibration, thereby reducing its impact on the position signal in the servo system.

Abstract: A method and system for compensating head positioning servo in a storage device. In accordance with the method and apparatus of the present invention, an open-loop gain of a head positioning servo is calculated when the head positioning servo causes a head to follow a predetermined position of a target track of a storage media surface by generating a position detecting signal utilizing a position detecting signal gain. A compensated position detecting signal gain is generated by compensating the position detecting signal gain according to a difference between a first predetermined value and the open-loop gain of the head positioning servo, such that variability of the position detecting signal and the open-loop gain is reduced to achieve stability in a head positioning servo.

Abstract: In control means having a feedforward system and a feedback system, a control model for generating reference position data yr from feedforward control signal Uff0 is separated into an original control model 22 and a compensation filter 23. Gain of feedforward control signal Uff0 is compensated by gain compensation means 24 to form feedforward control signal Uff after compensation. Data yr is input to a feedback controller 25, and feedback control signal Ufb and Uff are input to a control object 26. Coefficients of the compensation filter 23 and the gain compensation means 24 are compensated on the basis of a head position trajectory obtained by actual seek operation.

Abstract: A disk drive, a servo controller, and a controller which have realized high-degree control by lightening processing load to a microprocessor unit (MPU) without increasing cost is disclosed. An analog/digital (AD) converter (ADC) performs the AD conversions of the regenerated levels A, B, C, and D of burst patterns supplied from a channel and retains the converted levels in an ADC register. A servo assist (SA) computes parameters, such as the position error of a head, independently of an MPU, based on the regenerated levels of the burst patterns retained in the ADC register and an instruction from the MPU retained in a SRAM. Based on the computed parameters, the SA computes servo data (DACOUT) for driving a voice coil motor and supplies the servo data to the DAC section of a VCM driver section through a SIO.

Abstract: In addition to the conventional test pattern writing in a center of each track and inspection of burst patterns (A and B patterns) through a writing test in a SAT, there is also performed a test pattern data writing test, which is done at each boundary between tracks. With this additional test, it is possible to accurately inspect both C and D burst patterns that are sensitive to a PES signal at each boundary between tracks.

Abstract: A storage device with a disk-shaped recording medium having servo areas in which servo sectors are recorded and data areas in which data sectors are recorded; a read/write head to read and write the data sectors, and to read the servo sectors on the disk-shaped recording medium; a head actuator to control the position of the read/write head; a storage controller to control data sector read and write operations by the read/write head; a servo controller to determine a position of the read/write head from the servo sector output read by the read/write head; a servo assist unit, separate from the storage controller, to calculate servo data for controlling the head actuator based on position information extracted by the servo controller and read/write head; and an interrupt generator to generate interrupt requests to the storage controller as determined by results of calculations by the servo assist unit.

Abstract: A system and method for providing rotation control stability within a disk drive. In accordance with the system of the present invention, a disk storage medium on which information is recorded is driven to rotate by a multiphase-phase DC servomotor. An actuator is utilized for loading and unloading the head to and from the disk storage medium. A load/unload controller commands the actuator to load or unload said head. In order to effectively compensate for an abrupt change in load on the servomotor caused by loading the head onto the disk storage medium, a slew rate switching unit is utilized to alter a slew rate of current supplied to the three-phase DC servomotor, based on a loading start command issued by the load/unload controller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with a rotating storage device. The rotating storage device includes a storage medium driven to rotate, a head for reading and writing information on the storage medium and a ramped loading mechanism in which the head is stored. In accordance with the method of the present invention, the head is loaded from the ramped loading mechanism onto the storage medium. Next, location information stored in said storage medium via said head is read. A location of the head is then retained for a predetermined period above a track of a region other than a valid storage region of said storage medium after successfully reading the location information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a digital filter which is capable of preventing filter outputs from being discontinuous when a filter characteristic is changed. Initially, a servo assistant (SA) computes parameters for computing servo data, and based on the computed parameters, the SA judges an operating mode. If the mode has been changed, the SA will advance in processing. Next, the parameters of a filter are changed in correspondence with the judged operating mode, and the initial values of the interior variables of the filter are set to appropriate values.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting and correcting for undesirable vibrations impacting the servo systems in data storage devices. A detection technique is provided wherein a detection filter is configured to scan a position signal of the servo system across a range of frequencies, and, at each respective scanned frequency, record an amplitude associated therewith. The recorded amplitudes are examined to determine whether any exceed a threshold, thereby locating a peak frequency of the vibration. Using the detected peak frequency of the vibration, a corrective filter is configured to operate about the peak frequency of vibration, thereby reducing its impact on the position signal in the servo system.

Abstract: An arrangement structure of the printed circuit board and the interface cable connector of a magnetic disk drive for increasing the degree of freedom of the arrangement of a spindle motor, and for minimizing the size of a printed circuit board. An interface cable connector is disposed on the side opposite to the spindle motor, and the printed circuit board is sized so as not to contact with the spindle motor in the height direction. This allows the degree of freedom of the arrangement of the spindle motor to increase. Further, the distance between the interface cable connector and the preamplifier connector on the printed circuit board is short. Thus, the size of the printed circuit board can be made as small as possible.

Abstract: An improved system and method for implementing a rotary memory device, including a host system and a disk-shaped memory medium storing position information, or a servo address mark (SAM). If a head fails to read a valid SAM, a dummy SAM is generated to prevent an arm with a read/write head from entering a neutral state. If the normal state cannot be restored within a fixed number of intervals, the system goes into the emergency brake control mode. In this emergency brake control mode, the direction of the head is determined, and the VCM current is applied in such a way drive the arm in the opposite direction. Damage to the magnetic medium and subsequent data loss problems are reduced because the velocity of the head is reduced to a safe level.

Abstract: A system for preventing off track data write operations in data storage devices such as hard disk drives. In a preferred embodiment, the amplitude of a head output signal is monitored. The output signal amplitude value is determined by measuring the voltage of a capacitor used in a Variable Gain Amplifier (VGA) in an Automatic Gain Control (AGC) circuit of a hard disk drive channel unit. The measured head output signal amplitude is compared with a previously determined minimum normal head output signal amplitude reference value to determine whether the head output signal amplitude is within a normal operating range. If the measured value is less than the reference value then the head is in an off track position, and the data write operation is inhibited. Radial position dependent amplitude reference values can also be used.

Abstract: A read/write head servo control system for data recording devices, wherein a method of compensating initial values is utilized to generate a control signal to move the head from an initial position to a target position. The method estimates and stores multiple position compensation values. A first control signal moves the head from an initial position to a target position. Head position values are sampled as the head moves. Head position deviation values are calculated for the sampled position values. The head position values are utilized to select a set of estimated position compensation values. These values are in turn utilized to generate a second control signal, which is then utilized to control the position of the head.

Abstract: A read/write head servo control system for data recording devices, wherein a method of compensating initial values is utilized to generate a control signal to move the head from an initial position to a target position. The method estimates and stores multiple position compensation values. A first control signal moves the head from an initial position to a target position. Head position values are sampled as the head moves. Head position deviation values are calculated for the sampled position values. The head position values are utilized to select a set of estimated position compensation values. These values are in turn utilized to generate a second control signal, which is then utilized to control the position of the head.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a testing method and tester which reliably flags errors in disk drives, thereby reducing disk failures. In the testing method and tester, a random error due to noise occurs anywhere in a sector (read)/cylinder (write), whereas a repeatable error occurs in a specific area on a disk. If a plurality of random errors occur in the same sector or cylinder, no flagging is performed if the occurrence positions are distant from each other.

Abstract: The present invention teaches the realization of a stable feedback control by selecting an optimal notch filter in an apparatus, such as a hard disk drive, that employs a positioning apparatus, such as an actuator, for positioning an object. The present invention further teaches the derivation of a frequency characteristic of a control loop excluding a notch filter by employing a method that does not damage a positioning apparatus. The present invention further teaches the method of adjusting a notch filter in accordance with a change of the resonant frequency of an actuator caused by the temperature fluctuations to prevent any deterioration of a feedback control performance.

Abstract: A spindle motor start up method wherein a torque balance between the stator and rotor is broken so as to avoid startup malfunctions, and thereby improve motor startup time in spindle motors prone to startup malfunctions, such as hard disk drive motors having a 4:3 ratio of the number of rotor magnetic poles to the number of stator slots.

Abstract: A disk drive system, includes an arm for mounting a head, and at least one component, coupled to the arm, for being synchronized to maintain a zero net angular momentum of the arm and the at least one component. Another disk drive system including a read/write head, includes a torque counter-generating member for being synchronized to maintain a zero net angular momentum of the head.