Abstract: In a method of measuring track widths in a hard disk drive a plurality of estimation values are calculated based on differences in intensity between a plurality first measurement signals produced in relation to a head of the hard disk drive based on a plurality of burst signals stored in servo sectors of a track when the head moves along the track on a first side of a center of the track, and a plurality of second measurement signals produced in relation to the head of the hard disk drive based on the plurality of burst signals when the head moves along the track on a second side of the center of the track opposite the first side. The estimation values are then normalized, and excessive variation in the track widths is detected based on the normalized estimation values.

Abstract: In a method of measuring track widths in a hard disk drive a plurality of estimation values are calculated based on differences in intensity between a plurality first measurement signals produced in relation to a head of the hard disk drive based on a plurality of burst signals stored in servo sectors of a track when the head moves along the track on a first side of a center of the track, and a plurality of second measurement signals produced in relation to the head of the hard disk drive based on the plurality of burst signals when the head moves along the track on a second side of the center of the track opposite the first side. The estimation values are then normalized, and excessive variation in the track widths is detected based on the normalized estimation values.

Abstract: A method of testing quality of a servo burst signal recorded on a hard disk drive and a recording medium adapted therefor, the hard disk drive including a plurality of sectors within one track and the burst signals for servo control recorded radially on each sector. The method includes: detecting peak positions at a radial position in which amplitudes of the recorded burst signals peak respectively on each track; comparing the detected peak positions of the burst signals on each track; detecting peak position error count, the peak position error count being a number of tracks in which offset of the detected peak positions exceed an offset limit within a predetermined number of tracks; and if the peak position error count exceeds the offset limit, determining a write quality of the servo burst signal to be low. A servo burst signal recorded with uniform intensity and a servo burst signal recorded with shift from normal position can be detected.

Abstract: A hard disk drive that redefines a notch filter of the drive. The update process may include initially disabling all notch filters and inducing a seek operation of the disk drive heads. A position error signal is read during a settling time of the seek operation and processed to determine the frequency of the signal. The frequency is selected as a resonant frequency if the error signal magnitude exceeds a threshold value. The notch filter is then redefined in accordance with the selected resonant frequency. The controller may also perform a routine to determine whether the resonant frequency is above or below a Nyquist frequency. Unlike prior art techniques, the method disclosed can obtain the resonant frequency without sweeping the excitation signal of the disk drive voice coil motor.

Abstract: For unlatching a head within a data storage device, such as a HDD (hard disc drive), a VCM (voice coil motor) amplifier with a switch is used for applying at least one cycle of an acceleration current pulse to a voice coil motor (VCM) for unlatching the head during an acceleration time zone. An analog to digital converter samples a characteristic of the VCM for indicating a speed of the head during the acceleration time zone. An unlatch controller terminates the acceleration time zone when the speed of the head is higher than a threshold speed, for more stable operation of the head but with guarantee of unlatching, regardless of the latch force within the HDD.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to compensate for a difference between an actual torque constant and a modeling torque constant used for servo design in a disc drive. The method has operations of: performing predetermined test seeks with respect to test seek positions into which a disc is divided; obtaining torque compensation constants from the test seeks; storing the torque compensation constants in a torque compensation constant table; and compensating for a gain of a seek control loop at a position where a seek is performed in a seek mode, using the torque compensation constants stored in the torque compensation constant table.

Abstract: A method of testing quality of a servo burst signal recorded on a hard disk drive and a recording medium adapted therefor, the hard disk drive including a plurality of sectors within one track and the burst signals for servo control recorded radially on each sector. The method includes: detecting peak positions at a radial position in which amplitudes of the recorded burst signals peak respectively on each track; comparing the detected peak positions of the burst signals on each track; detecting peak position error count, the peak position error count being a number of tracks in which offset of the detected peak positions exceed an offset limit within a predetermined number of tracks; and if the peak position error count exceeds the offset limit, determining a write quality of the servo burst signal to be low. A servo burst signal recorded with uniform intensity and a servo burst signal recorded with shift from normal position can be detected.

Abstract: For unlatching a head within a data storage device, such as a HDD (hard disc drive), a VCM (voice coil motor) amplifier with a switch is used for applying at least one cycle of an acceleration current pulse to a voice coil motor (VCM) for unlatching the head during an acceleration time zone. An analog to digital converter samples a characteristic of the VCM for indicating a speed of the head during the acceleration time zone. An unlatch controller terminates the acceleration time zone when the speed of the head is higher than a threshold speed, for more stable operation of the head but with guarantee of unlatching, regardless of the latch force within the HDD.