Abstract: The magnetic tape device includes: a magnetic tape; and a servo head, in which the servo head is a TMR head, the magnetic tape includes a non-magnetic support, and a magnetic layer including ferromagnetic powder, a binding agent, and fatty acid ester on the non-magnetic support, the magnetic layer includes a servo pattern, full widths at half maximum of spacing distribution measured by optical interferometry regarding a surface of the magnetic layer before and after performing a vacuum heating with respect to the magnetic tape are greater than 0 nm and equal to or smaller than 7.0 nm, and a difference between a spacing measured by optical interferometry regarding the surface of the magnetic layer after performing the vacuum heating with respect to the magnetic tape and a spacing measured before performing the vacuum heating is greater than 0 nm and equal to or smaller than 9.0 nm.

Abstract: A recording head has a first magnetic writer and a second magnetic writer offset from the first magnetic writer in a downtrack and crosstrack direction. The recording head has leads configured to deliver respective first and second write and/or laser currents to the first and second writers. The first and second write and/or laser currents enable the first and second writers to simultaneously write to adjacent tracks of a magnetic disk.

Abstract: A drive-implemented method according to one embodiment includes determining that unthreading of a tape is to be performed, and in response to the determination that the unthreading of the tape is to be performed, determining whether to write an index on the tape prior to unthreading the tape. In response to a determination to write the index on the tape, the index is written on the tape prior to unthreading the tape. The tape is then unthreaded.

Abstract: The magnetic tape device includes: a magnetic tape; and a servo head, in which a magnetic tape transportation speed of the magnetic tape device is equal to or lower than 18 m/sec, the servo head is a TMR head, the magnetic tape includes a non-magnetic support, and a magnetic layer including ferromagnetic powder and a binding agent on the non-magnetic support, the magnetic layer includes a servo pattern, the magnetic layer includes one or more components selected from the group consisting of fatty acid and fatty acid amide, and a C—H derived C concentration calculated from a C—H peak area ratio of C1s spectra obtained by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis performed on a surface of the magnetic layer at a photoelectron take-off angle of 10 degrees is 45 to 65 atom %.

Abstract: The magnetic tape device includes: a magnetic tape; and a servo head, in which a magnetic tape transportation speed of the magnetic tape device is equal to or lower than 18 m/sec, the servo head is a magnetic head including a tunnel magnetoresistance effect type element as a servo pattern reading element, the magnetic tape includes a non-magnetic support, and a magnetic layer including ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder, non-magnetic powder, and a binding agent on the non-magnetic support, the magnetic layer includes a servo pattern, and a tilt cos ? of the ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder with respect to a surface of the magnetic layer acquired by cross section observation performed by using a scanning transmission electron microscope is 0.85 to 0.95.

Abstract: An input to read two or more data records stored to a tape medium on a tape drive is received. A starting point is determined. The starting point is a closest data record, of the two or more data records, to a current position of a tape head of the tape drive. A read order of the two or more data records is determined. The read order is determined using an algorithm and the determined starting point. The determined read order is sent to a host device. A first data record is determined. A first locate operation within the tape drive is performed. The first data record, of the two or more data records stored on the tape medium, based on the determined read order is read. The first data record, of the two or more data records stored on the tape medium, is sent to the host device.

Abstract: A repeatable runout (RRO) is accurately compensated for while moving a magnetic head radially across a disk surface. An iterative learning control algorithm is employed to determine appropriate feed-forward coefficients for an RRO compensation signal for each of a plurality of radial locations across the disk surface. The feed-forward coefficients are determined by performing multiple iterations of continuously moving the magnetic head across the disk surface along a target path while measuring a position error signal that indicates the radial error between the magnetic head and the target path. With each iteration, the iterative learning control algorithm computes new feed-forward coefficients for each of the plurality of radial locations, where the new feed-forward coefficients are selected to reduce the measured position error signal when employed to move the magnetic head along the target path.

Abstract: Systems and methods for compensating for hysteresis in a disc drive are described. In one embodiment, a method may use an inverse hysteresis model to linearize effects of hysteresis of a microactuator in the disc drive. The hysteresis model may be a Coleman-Hodgdon hysteresis model. The hysteresis of the microactuator may be characterized, and the inverse hysteresis model may be based at least in part on the characterization. The inverse hysteresis model may be used to implement a digital filter. The digital filter may be employed in series with the microactuator to linearize the effects of hysteresis.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproducing device according to an embodiment includes a magnetic recording medium and a controller. The magnetic recording medium includes in sequence a substrate, a storage layer, an exchange layer, and a surface recording layer. The controller executes following steps (1) to (6): (1) magnetically recording first information on the surface recording layer; (2) transferring the first information recorded on the surface recording layer to the storage layer; (3) magnetically recording second information on the surface recording layer; (4) magnetically reproducing the second information from the surface recording layer; (5) transferring the first information recorded on the storage layer to the surface recording layer; and (6) magnetically reproducing the first information transferred to the surface recording layer.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a thermal sensor configured to interact with a magnetic recording disk. A head-disk interface is defined between the thermal sensor and the disk. A power supply is coupled to the thermal sensor and configured to supply a bias power to the thermal sensor between a low power and a high power. A processor is coupled to the thermal sensor and configured to determine a slope of a resistance response of the thermal sensor. The processor is further configured to detect a change in the slope relative to a baseline slope. The slope change indicates increased heat sinking between the thermal sensor and the disk due to the presence of contaminant buildup at the head-disk interface.

Abstract: An apparatus for microwave-assisted magnetic recording includes a magnetic write head operable to write data to a magnetic storage medium. The apparatus includes a spin-torque microwave oscillator coupled to the magnetic write head and operable to provide microwave radiation to the magnetic storage medium. The apparatus includes a driver circuit in communication with the magnetic write head. The driver circuit is operable to dynamically modulate bias current provided to the spin-torque microwave oscillator in sympathy with data being written to the magnetic storage medium by the magnetic write head.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide the position error signal (PES) that is generated by the data read channel that uses internal signals such as analog-to-digital signals, recovered data bits and signals or other internal signals to determine read head off-track metrics. Several different metrics can be utilized including a normalized norm metric, a normalized cross correlation metric, and a cross correlation with detected data metric. These metrics can be utilized to determine off-track shift of one or more read heads such that the read head position can be corrected.

Abstract: A method of tuning a notch filter in a data storage device (DSD) including the notch filter and a shock detection system includes: adjusting pulse width modulator (PWM) frequency settings of a spindle drive signal; detecting a maximum noise level of an output signal of the shock detection system while adjusting the PWM frequency settings; and selecting a notch filter frequency corresponding to a PWM frequency setting at which the maximum noise level of the output signal of the shock detection system is detected.

Abstract: A method of indexing in a skip list is disclosed. Key/value pairs are randomly inserted at an appropriate page in a skip list. A new page is created at the lowest level in the skip list. When creating the new page, the page is incremented to a higher level with a write probability. Reading the new page during a search. When reading the new page, the page is incremented to a higher level with a read probability. The read probability is not equal to the write probability.

Abstract: Systems and methods for maximizing shingled magnetic recording (SMR) drive capacity are described. In one embodiment, the SMR drive may include a main store to store user-accessible data, a media cache and media scratchpad to store internal data temporarily for internal operations, and a storage controller to process read and write requests. In some cases, the main store comprises a shingled media partition and an unshingled media partition. The storage controller may designate one or more data tracks from the shingled media partition as temporary data track guard bands. In some embodiments, a track range is selected based at least in part on at least one of an amount of data in the media cache, a size of the new data in the media cache, and an association between the new data in the media cache and data currently stored within the selected track range.

Abstract: Implementations disclosed herein provide a method comprising comparing high-latency data sectors of a storage band, the high-latency data sectors having latency above a predetermined threshold, with target sectors for storing new data to determine one or more of the high-latency data sectors that may be skipped during retrieval of at-rest data from the storage band.

Abstract: A write signal may be adjusted, or modified, based on one or more read signals acquired, or read from, one or more portions proximate a target portion on a storage medium where the write signal is to be applied. The one or more read signals may be read from the storage medium in response to receiving a write data unit such that the read signals may not need to be buffered or later clock synchronized to the write signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a multipath time delay estimation apparatus and method and a receiver. Time delay is divided into at least two subzones according to cross-correlation values of the transmission signal and the received signal, and time delay estimation is performed on each path in each subzone respectively, thereby efficiently improving resolution of the time delay estimation. And in performing time delay estimation on each path in each subzone, cross-correlation values of other subzones are set to be predefined values, so as to lower influence of strong paths of other subzones on the time delay estimation on each path in the current subzone, thereby efficiently improving accuracy of time delay estimation of weak paths.

Abstract: A first data group in an access sequence is selected. A distance from a current position of the tape medium is set to be a logical distance value, determined by a calculation function, that is substituted for the physical distance value for the data groups that are located in the specified regions as compared with other data groups located in the alternative specified regions. A second data group in the access sequence is selected. The logical distance value is then determined by multiplying a coefficient based on a physical positioning of each of the data groups in the tape medium, and a percentage of those of the plurality of data groups that have already been selected as the first data group and the second data group.

Abstract: Systems and methods for combining variable bit rate data streams are provided. A plurality of data streams may be identified by a service provider system that includes one or more computers. Each data stream may be a variable bit rate data stream. Based upon an analysis of the respective variable bit rates, the service provider system may determine a subset of the plurality of data streams to be combined. The subset of data streams may then be combined and output by the service provider system for transmission to one or more consumer devices.

Abstract: Described is a technology by which a playback list comprising similar songs is automatically built based on automatically detected/generated song attributes, such as by extracting numeric features of each song. The attributes may be downloaded from a remote connection, and/or may be locally generated on the playback device. To build a playlist, a seed song's attributes may be compared against attributes of other songs to determine which other songs are similar to the seed song and thus included in the playlist. Another way to build a playlist is based on similarity of songs to a set of user provided-attributes, such as corresponding to moods or usage modes such as “resting” “reading” “jogging” or “driving” moods/modes. The playlist may be dynamically adjusted based on user interaction with the device, such as when a user skips a song, queues a song, or dequeues a song.

Abstract: A Data Storage Device (DSD) includes a disk with a zone of tracks to be sequentially written. A sequential write pointer is maintained indicating a next physical location for writing data in the zone. When a write command is received to write data in a target region at a physical location behind the sequential write pointer, it is determined whether a write count for each of the target region and an adjacent region before the target region has reached a threshold number of writes. If it is determined that the write counts for both the target region and the adjacent region have not reached the threshold number of writes, the sequential write pointer for the zone is moved to the physical location and the data is written at the physical location to fulfill the write command.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a perpendicular magnetic recording medium includes: a substrate; and a soft magnetic underlayer structure positioned above the substrate, where the soft magnetic underlayer includes: a coupling layer; a first soft underlayer positioned above the coupling layer; and a second soft underlayer positioned below the coupling layer, where a difference between a magnetic flux density of the soft magnetic underlayer structure at 25° C. and a magnetic flux density of the soft underlayer structure at 85° C. is less than or equal to about 10% of the magnetic flux density of the soft magnetic underlayer structure at 25° C.

Abstract: A data storage device can be configured at least with a first spin-torque oscillator disposed between and contacting a write pole and a shield on an air bearing surface. A second spin-torque oscillator can be disposed between and contact the write pole and shield with the second spin-torque oscillator separated from the air bearing surface by a first stabilization distance and from the first spin-torque oscillator by a second stabilization distance. The first and second spin-torque oscillators can be configured to magnetostatically couple and phase lock to produce a single microwave frequency in response to a bias field.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a biosample cartridge that includes radial slots for storing biosample carriers. The biosample cartridge has the same form factor as data tape cartridges used in automated tape libraries to allow the biosample cartridge to be handled by the same robotic mechanisms that handle the data tape cartridges. One aspect of the disclosure concerns a biosample cartridge that includes a rotatable biosample carrier holder. The biosample carrier holder includes radial slots for receiving biosample carriers which contain biosamples scanned and analyzed by automated tape libraries.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk comprising a plurality of data tracks, and a head comprising a first read element and a second read element. The first read element is positioned over a first data track and the second read element is positioned over a second data track. A first analog read signal emanating from the first read element is adjusted based on a second analog read signal emanating from the second read element in order to reduce noise in the first analog read signal due to interference from the second data track.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic disk drive includes a disk including a plurality of servo areas for detecting a positioning error, a head to write and to read data, and a processor. The processor detects a current positioning error of the head on the disk, while writing data to tracks of the disk so as to partially overlap with each other, calculates a predicted positioning error in a next servo area, determinates write inhibit, based on comparison between the current positioning error and a first threshold value, sets the first threshold value to a smaller value being used as the first threshold value to determinate the write inhibit in the next servo area.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a lubricating layer for providing lubrication to a magnetic recording medium includes a perfluoropolyether (PFPE) represented by: X—CF2CF2O(C3F6O)mCF2CF2—X, wherein m is in a range from 4 to 8 on average, and wherein X is This lubricating layer may be used in a magnetic disk, which includes a recording layer positioned above a nonmagnetic substrate, a protective film layer positioned above the recording layer, and the lubricating layer positioned above the protective film layer.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure involve a system and/or method for a target level driver of a host computer to obtain and maintain the state or mode of a physical or virtual tape drive storage system to restore the state of the tape drive storage system. The target level driver monitors one or more commands transmitted to the tape drive system from a user or administrator of the tape drive system. Through analysis and parsing of the one or more commands, the target level driver determines an operational mode state of the tape drive system and stores said mode state. Because the target level driver monitors the commands provided to the tape drive system, the stored operational mode state may include one or more operational modes not reported by the tape drive system.

Abstract: A method for operating a tape storage system includes simultaneously receiving readback signals from a set of data readers reading from data tracks of a set of adjacent data tracks extending along a longitudinal extension of a tape storage medium. Each data track has a width and each data reader has a width that exceeds the width of a data track. In the readback signal, of one of the data readers of the set a simultaneous presence of two defined waveforms is detected stemming from two different servo patterns arranged in servo sections of adjacent data tracks of the set. At least one of lateral position, velocity, gain and timing information is derived from a measure of the energy of the two defined waveforms detected in the readback signal of the data reader and applying this information in the operation of the tape storage system.

Abstract: A magnetic device includes a write element having a write element tip that defines a medium confronting surface. The write element is operable to generate a first field at the medium confronting surface. A conductor is proximate the write element tip and first and second conductive leads are connected to the conductor and configured to deliver a current to the conductor to generate a second field that augments the first field. First and second side elements are disposed on opposite sides of the write element tip in a cross-track direction at the medium confronting surface. At least a portion of the first conductive lead is disposed adjacent the first side element on a side opposite the medium confronting surface, and at least a portion of the second conductive lead is disposed adjacent the second side element on a side opposite the medium confronting surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for performing stratigraphic modeling using production data density profiles. At least some illustrative embodiments include a production logging tool data processing method that includes measuring one or more characteristics of a formation within a borehole, of fluids within the formation or of fluids within the borehole, calculating a density profile of each of the one or more characteristics, and defining a boundary between two reservoir simulation cells based at least in part upon the density profile. The method further includes performing a simulation of a production field including the borehole using said simulation cells and presenting the simulation results to a user.

Abstract: An example magnetic recording apparatus includes a magnetic recording medium, a magnetic recording head and a signal processor. The magnetic recording head includes a first magnetic pole; a second magnetic pole; a spin torque oscillator; a first coil to magnetize the first magnetic pole; and a second coil through which a current is passed independently of the first coil. The signal processor writes and reads a signal on the magnetic recording medium by using the magnetic recording head and includes a first current circuit to supply a recording current to the first coil and a second current circuit to supply a modulating current to the second coil.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure pertain to a system and method for providing controllable steady state current waveshaping in a preamplifier of a data storage system (e.g., hard disk drive). The preamplifier provides an output including a write current waveform having a steady state current level that is controllable via the write block circuitry of the preamplifier. This enhances the ability of the waveform to promote improved on-track and off-track write performance.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a disk storage apparatus includes a write controller and a refresh controller. The write controller is configured to perform shingled write, writing data on a disk, using, as write units, data areas including groups of tracks. The refresh controller is configured to count the number of times the shingled write has been performed in a data area adjacent to the inner or outer circumference of a data area, in accordance with a weighting value set on the basis of a shingled write direction, and to instructs that a refresh process be performed, when the number of times counted exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: Tape head with thermal tape-head distance sensor to reduce the distance between the tape and the head to allow an increase in areal density. A tape head designed for reading and/or writing to a tape, including: a tape bearing surface shaped to form an air bearing when moving the tape with respect to the tape bearing surface; a thermal tape-head distance sensor circuit adapted to sense heat dissipated at the level of the tape bearing surface by the tape and thereby sense a distance between the tape bearing surface and the tape; and tape-head distance control means connected to the thermal tape-head distance sensor circuit to receive a signal provided by the tape-head distance sensor circuit and configured to alter the distance according to a signal received from the tape-head distance sensor circuit. This invention is further directed to a method of tape-head distance control for the above tape head.

Abstract: An automation controller that includes a central processing unit configured to communicate via an input/output module with automation devices of a process controlled by the automation controller. The automation controller also includes a retention feature configured to toollessly couple with a detachable display and memory module. Further, the automation controller includes a controller connector configured to communicatively couple with a display connector of the detachable display and memory module such that the automation controller and the detachable display and memory module are communicatively coupled, wherein the central processing unit is configured to transmit data for presentation on a display of the detachable display and memory module and configured to receive data from a memory and/or a data entry feature of the detachable display and memory module when the detachable display and memory module is communicatively coupled to the automation controller.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording head includes a main pole, a write shield facing the main pole with a write gap interposed therebetween, a recording coil, and a high-frequency oscillator including an oscillation layer provided within the write gap between an end portion of the main pole and the write shield, and an intermediate layer and a spin-injection layer stacked on the oscillation layer. The oscillation layer, the intermediate layer and the spin-injection layer are stacked in a direction intersecting the gap length direction of the write gap, and at least one of the oscillation layer and the spin-injection layer is electrically connected to one of the main pole and the write shield.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting and compensating for lubrication disturbance (lube disturb) events on a rotatable data recording medium. In some embodiments, a lube disturb event is detected responsive to displacement of a data transducer away from a first memory location on a rotating data recording medium during a write operation to write data thereto. The lube disturb event arises responsive to a transfer of accumulated contamination from a data transducer to a lubrication layer on the rotating data recording medium and a smearing of the transferred accumulated contamination along the first memory location. The write data are stored to a different, second memory location instead of to the first memory location responsive to the detected lube disturb event.

Abstract: A device for reading data recorded on a recording medium having multiple tracks, the device including: a receiver that receives designations of a number of data elements to be read; and a determination unit that determines an order of reading the data elements so that, no matter on which track of the tracks each of the data elements is recorded, the data elements are read in an order of recorded locations of the data elements in a direction along the tracks on which the data elements are recorded.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatuses that provide for variable data density on a disc data storage medium, where the variable data density may have a circumferential definition and a radial definition. In some examples, devices and methods may include measuring a read or write performance attribute on a disc data storage medium and selectively setting a data density rate that may vary in a circumferential direction for the disc data storage medium based on the read or write performance attribute. In other examples, apparatuses can include a data storage device having a disc data storage medium and a controller configured to measure a performance attribute of the disc data storage medium and to selectively set different Bits Per Inch (BPI) for data storage within different areas of the disc.

Abstract: A Dynamic Wave-Shaping (DWS) write driver for use in a preamp in a disk drive is described. The DWS write driver includes a Dynamic Current Booster (DCB) that adds a current component (WDCB) to the standard write driver signal (including overshoot) that is a function of the bit spacing in the write data input waveform supplied to the write driver. The invention allows dynamic control of the bit-pattern dependent overshoot amplitude without requiring significant preamp overhead. Embodiments of the Dynamic Current Booster include a programmable analog feed-forward timer at the preamp level. The boost current amplitude is a function of the time between the transitions that represent bits. In embodiments, the polarity of the boost current WDCB can be programmed to be positive or negative.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reading electronic memory comprising a current source, a spin transfer oscillator, an external field source, coupled to the current source, for generating an RF signal, the spin torque oscillator positioned proximate a magnetic media comprising a plurality of bit regions of varying magnetic permeability, wherein a frequency of the RF signal varies in response to the permeability of a bit region in the plurality of bit regions being proximate the spin torque oscillator.

Abstract: Devices and methods for reducing thermal stress within a head of a storage device are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a method includes writing a selected pattern to a storage medium of a storage device using a head of the storage device; reading the selected pattern from the storage medium using the head to provide a data signal; and calculating an instability value of the head based on the data signal. The method can further include reconfiguring the storage device if the instability value is greater than an instability threshold by performing at least one of: deactivating a heater if the head includes two or more heaters; and increasing a fly height between the head and the storage medium.

Abstract: An information processing system includes a first information processing apparatus coupled to a first magnetic-disk-device groups including first magnetic disk devices whose motors rotate, a second information processing apparatus coupled to a second magnetic-disk-device group including one or more second magnetic disk devices whose motors rotate and a plurality of third magnetic disk devices whose motors are in a stop state. A management apparatus which included in the system is configured to manage the first and second information processing apparatuses, wherein, when data is to be written, the management apparatus outputs a write request to any of the plurality of first magnetic disk devices and any of the one or more second magnetic disk devices, and when data is to be read, the management apparatus outputs a read request to any of the plurality of first magnetic disk devices.

Abstract: The present invention, in some embodiments, relates to magnetic heads having modules with arrays of transducers able to read and/or write while the arrays are positioned at different angles relative to a magnetic medium, thereby enabling reading and/or writing in more than one data storage format. An apparatus according to one embodiment includes at least two modules, each of the modules having an array of N+1 transducers. Axes of the arrays are oriented about parallel to each other. N of the N+1 transducers of a first array of a first of the modules are about aligned with N of the N+1 transducers of a second array of a second of the modules when the axes of the arrays are tilted at a first angle between about 0.1° and about 10°.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes apparatuses and techniques of improved sequential-access of storage media. In some aspects an indication that a storage media interface failed to access a block of storage media is received during a sequential-access of the storage media and the storage media interface is caused to attempt to read a next block of the sequential-access subsequent the sector failed to be accessed during the same sequential-access.

Abstract: According to at least one embodiment, a magnetic disk apparatus includes a disk, a random number generator, a determination module, and a refresh module. The disk includes a plurality of tracks. A random number generator generates a random number within a range of N integers in accordance with writing to a first area of a first track of the plurality of tracks. A determination module determines whether the generated random number includes a predetermined number. A refresh module refreshes a second area of a second track near the first track based on a result of determination of the determination module. The second area corresponds to the first area.

Abstract: Systems and method relating generally to data processing, and more particularly to systems and methods for utilizing multiple data streams for data recovery from a storage device.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes performing synchronization between a source disk and a target disk. The performing includes reading data, in a first read, with a first size from a source disk, writing the data from the first to a target disk, reading data, in a second read, with the first size from the source disk, determining if the data from the first read is equal to the data from the second read, reducing the first size if the data from the first read is not equal to the data in the second read and repeating the reading data in the first read, the writing, the reading data in the second read and the determining.