Storage devices and storage systems

Abstract

The application discloses a storage device and a storage system, and relates to the computer field.The storage device comprises a storage medium and a head, wherein the storage medium comprises a plurality of data tracks, a plurality of servo areas arranged at intervals are arranged on part of the data tracks, the servo areas are arranged at intervals between the data tracks, the interval distance between the data tracks containing the servo areas is related to the distance between a first reading head in the head for reading the servo areas, the data tracks are used for recording data, and the servo areas are used for recording addresses of the data tracks; the head is used for performing a reading operation on the servo areas, and performing a reading operation or a writing operation on a data track corresponding to an address indicated by the servo area. Compared with a parallel servo format scheme, the servo areas are embedded on part of the data tracks in the plurality of data tracks, the area occupied by the servo areas in the storage medium is reduced, the utilization of the storage medium is effectively improved, and the capacity density of the storage medium is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of computers, and more particularly to a storage device and storage system. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, tape drives based on Linear Tape Open (LTO) tape storage technology employ a parallel servo format, meaning that servo tapes and data tapes are arranged in parallel. For example, along the width of the tape body, five servo tapes are distributed, along with four data tapes sandwiched between the servo tapes. The head assembly includes a servo head and a read / write head. The servo head is used to read position data from the servo tapes, while the read / write head is used to read data from the data tapes or write data to the data tapes. Therefore, because the servo tapes occupy a large area of ​​the storage medium, the storage capacity of the storage medium is relatively low. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a storage device and a storage system, thereby increasing the capacity density of the storage medium by improving the utilization rate of the storage medium in the storage device.

[0004] In a first aspect, a storage device is provided, including a storage medium and a magnetic head. The storage medium includes multiple data tracks, some of which contain multiple servo areas. The servo areas on some data tracks are arranged at intervals, and the data tracks containing servo areas are also arranged at intervals. The distance between the data tracks containing servo areas is related to the distance between first read heads in the magnetic head used to read the servo areas. The data tracks are used to record data, and the servo areas are used to record servo information of the data tracks. The magnetic head is used to perform read operations on the servo areas and to perform read or write operations on the data tracks corresponding to the servo information indicated by the servo areas.

[0005] Compared to the parallel servo format, which is a scheme in which servo tracks and data tracks are arranged in parallel, the scheme provided in this application involves deploying multiple servo areas on a portion of multiple data tracks. The multiple servo areas are arranged at intervals on the data tracks, and the data tracks containing the servo areas are arranged at intervals. In other words, the servo areas are embedded on a portion of multiple data tracks. By reducing the area occupied by the servo areas in the storage medium, the utilization rate of the storage medium is effectively improved, and the capacity density of the storage medium is increased.

[0006] The storage device described in this application can be a magnetic tape or a hard disk drive. This application does not limit the specific form of the storage medium.

[0007] In one possible implementation, the data tracks containing the servo area are spaced apart by an arrangement of data tracks that do not contain the servo area.

[0008] Because the data tracks in the servo area are spaced apart from the data tracks in the non-servo area, i.e., the servo area is deployed at intervals of a certain number of non-servo area data tracks, the area occupied by the servo area in the storage medium is reduced, thereby improving the utilization rate of the storage medium and increasing the capacity density of the storage medium.

[0009] In another possible implementation, the data tracks containing the servo area are arranged at equal intervals. The distance between the data tracks containing the servo area is the same as the distance between the first read heads in the read / write head used to read the servo area.

[0010] Therefore, the same number of undeployed servo area data tracks are spaced between the data tracks of the deployed servo area to facilitate control of the read head to perform read operations on the servo area, and to perform read or write operations on the undeployed servo area data tracks corresponding to the addresses indicated by the servo area.

[0011] In another possible implementation, multiple adjacent data tracks containing servo areas are alternately arranged with multiple adjacent data tracks not containing servo areas.

[0012] In another possible implementation, multiple data tracks are divided into multiple data bands. Within the same data band, data tracks on different data tracks are separated by a servo area interval that does not contain a servo area, while data tracks belonging to different data bands that do contain a servo area are adjacent.

[0013] In another possible implementation, multiple servo zones are arranged at equal intervals on the data track containing the servo zones.

[0014] Therefore, by regularly arranging servo areas on the data tracks and embedding the servo areas into a portion of the data tracks, the utilization rate of the storage medium is effectively improved, the capacity density of the storage medium is increased, and the read / write operations on the servo areas and data tracks of the storage medium are facilitated by the read / write head.

[0015] In another possible implementation, the first read head is also used to read data recorded on the data track containing the servo area.

[0016] In another possible implementation, the first read head is located at both ends of the magnetic head.

[0017] The embedded servo format storage medium provided in this application effectively reduces the area occupied by the servo region in the storage medium and increases the capacity density of the storage medium. Compared with the magnetic head containing the servo head, the servo information and data are read by the time-division multiplexed read head, which meets the requirements of the storage medium for position positioning and tape deformation detection, and effectively reduces the manufacturing cost of the magnetic head by reducing the number of servo heads.

[0018] In another possible implementation, the read / write head also includes a second read head and a write head; the read head is used to read data on data tracks that do not contain a servo area, and the write head is used to write data on the data tracks.

[0019] In another possible implementation, the storage device also includes a controller; the controller is used to control the movement of the read / write head according to a control signal, perform read operations on the servo area, and perform read or write operations on the data track corresponding to the servo information indicated by the servo area.

[0020] In another possible implementation, the controller is specifically used to control the first read head to read servo information on the servo area and to read data recorded on the data track containing the servo area, according to the control signal.

[0021] In another possible implementation, the controller is specifically used to control the second read head to read data on the data track based on servo information.

[0022] In another possible implementation, the controller is also used to control the write head to write data on the data track based on servo information.

[0023] Secondly, a storage medium is provided, including multiple data tracks, with multiple servo areas deployed on some of the data tracks. The servo areas on some of the data tracks are arranged at intervals, and the data tracks containing servo areas are arranged at intervals. The distance between the data tracks containing servo areas is related to the distance between the first read heads in the read head used to read the servo areas. The data tracks are used to record data, and the servo areas are used to record the addresses of the data tracks.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the data tracks containing the servo area are spaced apart by an arrangement of data tracks that do not contain the servo area.

[0025] In another possible implementation, the data tracks containing the servo area are arranged at equal intervals. For example, the data tracks containing the servo area are arranged at equal intervals with the data tracks not containing the servo area. The distance between the data tracks containing the servo area is the same as the distance between the first read heads in the read / write head used to read the servo area.

[0026] In another possible implementation, multiple adjacent data tracks containing servo areas are alternately arranged with multiple adjacent data tracks not containing servo areas.

[0027] In another possible implementation, multiple data tracks are divided into multiple data bands. Within the same data band, the servo areas on different data tracks are spaced apart, while the servo areas on adjacent data tracks belonging to different data bands are not spaced apart.

[0028] In another possible implementation, multiple data tracks are divided into multiple data bands. Within the same data band, data tracks on different data tracks are separated by a servo area interval that does not contain a servo area, while data tracks belonging to different data bands that do contain a servo area are adjacent.

[0029] In another possible implementation, multiple servo zones are arranged at equal intervals on the data track containing the servo zones.

[0030] Thirdly, a storage system is provided, comprising a processor and a storage device as described in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof, the storage device being used to store data processed by the processor.

[0031] The technical effects of any of the design approaches in the second or third aspects can be found in the first aspect or the technical effects of different possible implementations of the first aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0032] Based on the implementation methods provided in the above aspects, this application can be further combined to provide more implementation methods. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a parallel servo format tape provided for the prior art;

[0034] Figure 2 This application provides a schematic diagram of the structure of a servo format with a body.

[0035] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of another servo format with a body provided in this application;

[0036] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a servo format for a mechanical hard disk provided in this application;

[0037] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of a storage device provided in this application;

[0038] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of reading and writing a tape body in an embedded servo format provided in this application;

[0039] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a storage system provided in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0040] To facilitate understanding, the main terms used in this application will be explained first.

[0041] Magnetic recording refers to a method of recording information using the properties of magnetism. Special methods are used to input and retrieve information during storage and use, thereby achieving the purpose of storing and retrieving information.

[0042] Data storage medium: This is the carrier and foundation for data storage. For example, data storage media can be removable hard drives, flash memory cards, or magnetic tapes. Data storage media can also be called storage media. Among them, magnetic media are widely used in production and daily life, with the main application product forms including hard disk drives (HDDs) and magnetic tapes.

[0043] Tape storage: a persistent storage method that uses magnetic tape as a data storage device.

[0044] Magnetic tape: A non-volatile storage medium, a strip of magnetically loaded material used to record sound, images, numbers, text, or other signals. Magnetic tape is typically packaged in a reel. Due to its sequential access characteristics, magnetic tape is used in traditional storage and backup, as well as for sequentially reading and writing large amounts of data. Magnetic tape can also be called a tape body. Optionally, magnetic tape can also be a device comprising a tape body and a reel wound around it.

[0045] A magnetic head (or read / write head) is a component that reads and writes data onto a magnetic tape based on magnetic principles. Magnetic heads are divided into write heads and read heads. Write heads record data by magnetizing the magnetic medium to change its magnetic field. Read heads read data from the magnetic medium by sensing its magnetic field.

[0046] Magnetic particle: A single-domain particle with hard magnetic properties. Magnetic particle, combined with binders and solvents, forms a magnetic paste, which is then coated onto the surface of a plastic or metal substrate (support) to create magnetic recording materials such as magnetic tapes, magnetic disks, and magnetic cards. Magnetic particle is the core component of magnetic coatings and a major factor determining the magnetic properties of magnetic recording media. Magnetic particle affects the properties of magnetic recording materials. Commonly used magnetic particles are broadly classified into two categories: oxide magnetic particles and metallic magnetic particles.

[0047] A tape drive is an economical, reliable, high-capacity, and high-speed storage device, serving as the core of a storage system for data writing and reading. Tape drives employ high-error-correction coding technology and write-after-read channel technology to improve the reliability of data backup. Based on the tape loading method, tape drives are generally divided into manual-loading tape drives and automatic-loading tape drives. Based on the form factor, tape drives are generally divided into consumer-grade tape drives and commercial-grade tape drives. Based on the height, tape drives are divided into half-height tape drives and full-height tape drives. Full-height tape drives are typically 60 millimeters (mm) tall, while half-height tape drives are typically 40 millimeters tall.

[0048] A magnetic tape drive is a single-drive product. It consists of a tape drive, magnetic heads, and a tape body. The tape drive moves the tape body, enabling the magnetic heads to read and write to the magnetic medium on the tape, thus performing read and write operations.

[0049] Tiny magnetic particles on a magnetic medium form a specific data bit, representing 0 and 1. The magnetic head reads data bits from the magnetic medium using a magnetoelectric mechanism and writes data bits onto the magnetic medium using an electromagnetism mechanism. Because numerous data bits are distributed across the magnetic medium, a specific arrangement format is needed to characterize the specific location information of each data bit. For example, the magnetic medium may employ a specific arrangement format such as... Figure 1 The data reading and writing are achieved through a similar position + data arrangement shown in (a). Here, "position" indicates the specific location information of the data on the magnetic medium. The servo format describes this data arrangement. The servo format affects how the data is arranged on the magnetic medium; from the user's perspective, position information occupies the space used by the data.

[0050] For example, such as Figure 1 As shown in (b) of the diagram, this is a schematic diagram of a parallel servo format tape provided by the prior art. Figure 1 As shown, the tape body 100 includes a servo band 110 and a data band 120. Five servo bands and four data bands sandwiched between them are distributed along the width of the tape body. Each data band includes multiple data tracks. For example, when reading or writing to data band 4, two servo read heads 111 located at opposite ends of the read / write head 110 read servo locations from servo band 0 and servo band 1, respectively. Read head 112 performs a read operation based on the position determined by the center line defined by the two servo locations. Alternatively, write head 113 performs a write operation based on the position determined by the center line defined by the two servo locations.

[0051] Assuming the servo tape width is 186 micrometers and the tape body width is 12.6 millimeters, the area occupied by the 5 servo tapes is: 5 * 186 μm / 12.6 mm = 7.4% of the tape body area.

[0052] To address the issue of low storage capacity caused by the large area occupied by servo bands in the storage medium, this application provides a storage device including an embedded servo-formatted storage medium and a read / write head. This improves the utilization rate of the storage medium, increases the storage capacity per unit projected area, and provides an architectural innovation for a multi-fold increase in storage device capacity density. The storage medium includes multiple data tracks, with multiple servo areas deployed on some of the data tracks. The servo areas on some data tracks are spaced apart, and the distance between the data tracks containing servo areas is related to the distance between the first read heads in the read / write head used to read the servo areas. The data tracks are used to record data, and the servo areas are used to record the addresses of the data tracks. The read / write head performs read operations on the servo areas and performs read or write operations on the data tracks corresponding to the addresses indicated by the servo areas. Compared to the parallel servo format, where servo tracks and data tracks are arranged in parallel, multiple servo areas are deployed on some data tracks within multiple data tracks. This embeds the servo areas onto some data tracks, effectively improving the utilization rate and capacity density of the storage medium by reducing the area occupied by the servo areas.

[0053] The storage device described in this application may be a magnetic tape or a hard disk drive. This application does not limit the specific form of the storage medium.

[0054] The embodiments of the storage medium provided in this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0055] This application provides a storage medium including multiple data tracks and a servo area. The data tracks are used to record data. The servo area is used to record servo information of the data tracks.

[0056] Among these, some data tracks contain servo areas. The servo areas contained in some data tracks are arranged at intervals, and the data tracks containing servo areas are also arranged at intervals. The distance between the data tracks containing servo areas is related to the distance between the first read heads in the read head used to read the servo areas.

[0057] Understandably, some data tracks have server areas deployed on them, while others do not. Data tracks with server areas are interspersed with data tracks without server areas.

[0058] In some embodiments, data tracks with servo areas and data tracks without servo areas are arranged alternately in sequence. That is, they are arranged according to the pattern of data tracks with servo areas, data tracks without servo areas, data tracks with servo areas, and data tracks without servo areas.

[0059] In this configuration, data tracks with deployed servo areas can be multiple consecutive data tracks, and data tracks without deployed servo areas can also be multiple consecutive data tracks. Thus, multiple adjacent data tracks have servo areas deployed, multiple adjacent data tracks without deployed servo areas, and multiple adjacent data tracks without deployed servo areas are spaced apart by multiple adjacent data tracks without deployed servo areas. These adjacent data tracks with deployed servo areas and adjacent data tracks without deployed servo areas are arranged alternately.

[0060] In multiple adjacent data tracks where servo areas are deployed, the servo areas are located in the same position. This means that servo areas are deployed at corresponding positions on multiple adjacent data tracks, or servo areas are deployed at the same positions on multiple adjacent data tracks. In other words, the same number of servo areas are deployed on multiple adjacent data tracks, and the servo areas deployed on multiple adjacent data tracks are located in the same position.

[0061] In other embodiments, data tracks containing servo areas are arranged at equal intervals. Data tracks with servo areas and data tracks without servo areas are arranged alternately at equal intervals.

[0062] Understandably, the number of data tracks with servo areas deployed is the same as the number of data tracks without servo areas deployed. Alternatively, the distance between data tracks with servo areas deployed is the same.

[0063] For example, deploy servo regions on N adjacent data tracks, then space them M adjacent data tracks without servo regions, and then deploy servo regions on N adjacent data tracks again. That is, every N adjacent data tracks with servo regions are spaced M adjacent data tracks without servo regions. M and N are both positive integers, with M greater than or equal to N.

[0064] For example, suppose a server area is deployed every 3 data tracks across 9 data tracks. Server areas are deployed on data tracks 1, 5, and 9. No server areas are deployed on data tracks 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8.

[0065] It should be noted that the distance between data tracks containing the servo area is related to the distance between the first read heads in the read / write head used to read the servo area. For example, the distance between data tracks containing the servo area is the same as the distance between the first read heads in the read / write head used to read the servo area. This allows the first read heads in the read / write head to read the servo information recorded in the servo area, and the read / write head then determines the position of the data track based on the servo information and performs read / write operations on the data track.

[0066] Optionally, the distance between the first read heads in the magnetic head used to read the servo area can be adjusted according to the distance between the data tracks containing the servo area, so that the first read heads in the magnetic head used to read the servo area can read the servo information recorded in the servo area.

[0067] In other embodiments, multiple data tracks can be divided into multiple data strips. Each data strip can contain the same number of data tracks. The number of data tracks with deployed servo areas and the number of data tracks without deployed servo areas in each data strip can be the same or different. The number of data tracks with deployed servo areas and the number of data tracks without deployed servo areas can be the same in any two data strips.

[0068] For example, each data band contains N adjacent data tracks with deployed servo areas and M adjacent data tracks without deployed servo areas. The N adjacent data tracks with deployed servo areas are spaced M adjacent data tracks without deployed servo areas.

[0069] In other embodiments, servo areas on different data tracks within the same data band are separated by data tracks that do not contain servo areas, while data tracks containing servo areas in different data bands are adjacent. Alternatively, described alternatively, servo areas on different data tracks within the same data band are separated by data tracks that do not contain servo areas; and adjacent servo areas on different data tracks in different data bands are not separated by data tracks.

[0070] Understandably, within each data band, multiple adjacent data tracks with deployed servo areas are separated by multiple adjacent data tracks without deployed servo areas. Servo areas are deployed on adjacent data tracks between adjacent data bands.

[0071] For example, the arrangement of data tracks in each data band might be as follows: n adjacent data tracks for deployed servers, M adjacent data tracks for undeployed servers, and n adjacent data tracks for deployed servers. Servers are deployed on the first n data tracks and the last n data tracks. No servers are deployed on the middle M adjacent data tracks. In two adjacent data bands, adjacent servers on different data tracks are not separated by data tracks. In a data band, the data tracks for the n adjacent deployed servers are separated by M adjacent data tracks for undeployed servers.

[0072] In addition, multiple servo zones are deployed on the same data track in an alternating pattern.

[0073] In some embodiments, multiple servo areas are arranged at equal intervals on a data track containing servo areas. This regular arrangement of servo areas on the data track facilitates read and write operations by the read / write head on both the servo areas and the data track.

[0074] Understandably, multiple servo areas deployed on the same data track are arranged at equal intervals. The multiple servo areas deployed on the same data track are separated by a portion of the data track. In some embodiments, adjacent servo areas deployed on the same data track are spaced at the same distance.

[0075] For example, suppose servo regions are deployed every 3 data tracks across 9 data tracks. Servo regions are deployed on data tracks 1, 5, and 9. No servo regions are deployed on data tracks 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8. The servo regions deployed on data tracks 1, 5, and 9 are arranged in 6 evenly spaced rows.

[0076] Optionally, the distance between different servo zone intervals on the data tracks of the deployed servo zones can also be different.

[0077] Understandably, "some data tracks containing servo areas" means that some data tracks have servo areas deployed, while others do not. The data tracks containing servo areas are spaced apart from the data tracks without servo areas. The servo areas on the data tracks with servo areas can be arranged at equal intervals. This reduces the area occupied by servo areas in the storage medium, effectively improving the utilization rate and capacity density of the storage medium.

[0078] The following explanation uses magnetic tape as an example of a storage device to illustrate the tape itself. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a servo format with a body provided in this application.

[0079] like Figure 2As shown, the tape body includes multiple data tracks, which are divided into four data bands: data band 0, data band 1, data band 2, and data band 3.

[0080] Each data band includes a data track 210 with a server area 230 and a data track 220 without a server area 230. The data tracks 210 with server areas and the data tracks 220 without server areas are arranged at equal intervals.

[0081] Along the width of the tape, there are data tracks 210 with servo areas and data tracks 220 without servo areas spaced apart from each other. The number of data tracks 210 with servo areas spaced apart from the data tracks 220 without servo areas is the same.

[0082] Therefore, by arranging the servo area along the width of the tape at intervals of a certain number of data tracks, the area occupied by the servo area in the tape is reduced, thereby increasing the capacity density of the tape.

[0083] Multiple adjacent data tracks 210 with deployed servo areas are spaced apart by multiple adjacent data tracks 220 without deployed servo areas.

[0084] Optionally, multiple adjacent data tracks 210 with deployed servo areas are spaced apart by the same number of adjacent data tracks 220 without deployed servo areas.

[0085] Therefore, servo areas are regularly arranged on the data track to determine the position of the data track within the data band based on the servo information indicated by the servo areas in the two data bands, and to perform read and write operations on the data track.

[0086] In multiple adjacent data tracks 210 where servo areas are deployed, the servo areas are located in the same position. Alternatively, servo areas are deployed at corresponding positions on multiple adjacent data tracks 210. In this case, the same number of servo areas are deployed on multiple adjacent data tracks 210, and the servo areas deployed on multiple adjacent data tracks 210 are located in the same position.

[0087] Along the length of the tape, multiple servo zones are deployed at equal intervals on the data track 210. The width direction of the tape is perpendicular to the length direction of the tape.

[0088] Understandably, along the length of the tape, the distance between adjacent servo zones on the data tracks where the servo zones are deployed is the same.

[0089] like Figure 2 As shown, the distance L1 between the i-th server region and the (i+1)-th server region is equal to the distance L2 between the (i+1)-th server region and the (i+2)-th server region.

[0090] Therefore, by arranging servo areas at intervals along the width of the tape using a certain number of data tracks, the area occupied by the servo areas in the tape is reduced, thereby increasing the tape's capacity density. Compared to the parallel servo format, where servo tracks and data tracks are arranged in parallel, deploying servo areas in some data tracks effectively reduces the area occupied by the servo areas in the tape, thus increasing the tape's capacity density by improving tape utilization.

[0091] In other embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, along the width direction of the data strip, each data strip includes a data track 210 with a servo area deployed and a data track 220 without a servo area deployed. The two data tracks 210 with servo areas deployed are separated by the data tracks 220 without servo areas deployed. In adjacent data strips, the data tracks 210 with servo areas deployed are not separated by the data tracks 220 without servo areas deployed.

[0092] For example, in data band 0, the first 5 data tracks 210 and the last 5 data tracks 210 are configured with servo areas. In data band 1, the first 5 data tracks 210 and the last 5 data tracks 210 are configured with servo areas. There is no space between the last 5 data tracks 210 with servo areas in data band 0 and the first 5 data tracks 210 with servo areas in data band 1, and no space between data tracks 220 without servo areas.

[0093] This allows for the determination of the position of the data track within the data band based on the servo information indicated by the servo area within the data band, enabling the execution of read and write operations on the data track.

[0094] In another possible implementation, the storage device is a hard disk drive (HDD). The HDD may include multiple concentric data tracks. Server areas can be deployed on some of the data tracks; that is, some data tracks have server areas deployed, while others do not. The data tracks containing server areas are spaced apart from the data tracks not containing server areas. The server areas on the data tracks with server areas can be evenly spaced. For example, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the storage medium includes data tracks 410 with servo areas 430 deployed and data tracks 420 without servo areas 430 deployed. Data tracks 220 without servo areas are spaced apart from the data tracks 410 with servo areas deployed. Multiple servo areas are deployed at equal intervals on the data tracks 410. It should be noted that the storage device may also include a first read head for reading the servo areas, and the distance between the data tracks containing the servo areas is related to the distance between the first read heads in the read head used to read the servo areas. For specific deployment schemes of the servo areas, please refer to the above description.

[0095] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a storage device provided in this application. Figure 5 As shown, the storage device 500 includes a storage medium 510, a magnetic head 520, a head driver 530, and a controller 540.

[0096] Storage medium 510 includes multiple data tracks. Some of the data tracks contain servo areas. The data tracks are used to record data, and the servo areas are used to record servo information for the data tracks. For further explanation regarding the storage medium, please refer to the description in the above embodiments.

[0097] The magnetic head 520 is used to perform read operations on the servo area, and performs read or write operations on the data track corresponding to the servo information indicated by the servo area.

[0098] The head driver 530 is used to move the magnetic head to perform read or write operations on the storage medium.

[0099] The controller 540 is used to control the movement of the head driver according to the control signal, thereby moving the head and enabling the head to perform read operations on the servo area. It performs read or write operations on the data track corresponding to the servo information indicated by the servo area.

[0100] For example, such as Figure 5 As shown in (a), the storage device 500 is described using magnetic tape as an example for the storage medium 510. The storage device 500 may also include a support member 550, a reel 560, and a tape body 511. When the storage medium 510 is loaded into the storage device 500, the support member 550 supports the tape body 511, and the rotation of the reel 560 causes the tape body 511 in the storage medium 510 to be wound onto the reel 560. During the movement of the tape body 511, the head driver 530 drives the head 520 to perform read or write operations on the tape body 511.

[0101] like Figure 5 As shown in (b) above, the storage device 500 is described using a mechanical hard disk as an example of storage medium 510. For example, the storage device 500 may include two read / write heads 520 for reading servo information from the servo area, so as to determine the position of the data track based on the servo information indicated by the two servo areas and perform read / write operations on the data track.

[0102] The read / write head can include multiple read heads and multiple write heads. The first read head is used to read servo information from the servo area and to read data recorded on the data tracks containing the servo area. The second read head is used to read data from the data tracks. For example, the second read head is used to read data from data tracks where no servo area is deployed. The write heads are used to write data to the data tracks. The first read head can be located at both ends of the read / write head. It should be noted that writing data to the servo area with the first read head is prohibited.

[0103] This application does not limit the number of read heads and write heads, or the arrangement of the read and write heads.

[0104] In some embodiments, the storage device may include multiple read / write heads, which together form a head group. The head group performs read or write operations on the storage medium.

[0105] For example, such as Figure 5 As shown in (c), the magnetic head 520 includes two read heads 521, two read heads 522, and two write heads 523. The two read heads 521 are located at both ends of the magnetic head 520. The two read heads 522 and the two write heads 523 are distributed between the two read heads 521 located at both ends of the magnetic head 520.

[0106] Compared to a magnetic head containing a servo head, a time-division multiplexed read head reads servo information from the servo area and data stored in the data track, effectively reducing the manufacturing cost of the magnetic head by eliminating the need for a servo head. If the storage medium is a tape, it can also meet the requirements for tape positioning and deformation detection.

[0107] In some embodiments, the controller is specifically configured to control the read heads located at both ends of the magnetic head to read servo information on the servo area according to control signals, and to control the read heads (e.g., a first read head or a second read head) to read data on the data track according to the servo information; or, to control the write heads to write data on the data track according to the servo information. The control signals may be gate signals or square wave pulse signals.

[0108] For example, the controller controls the head driver to move the head based on a high level of the control signal, causing the read head located at both ends of the head to read servo information on the servo area. The controller controls the head driver to move the head based on a low level of the control signal and the read servo information, causing the read head located between the two ends of the head to read data on the data track; or, the controller controls the head driver to move the head based on a low level of the control signal and the read servo information, causing the write head to write data on the data track.

[0109] It should be noted that the distribution pattern of high and low levels in the control signal can be set according to the arrangement or distribution characteristics of the servo areas on the data track in the above embodiments. That is, the interval between high and low levels in the control signal is the same as the interval between adjacent servo areas on the data track. This allows the controller to control the movement of the read head according to the control signal, so that the read head located at both ends of the read head reads the servo information on the servo area, and the read head located between the two ends of the read head reads the data on the data track, or the read head located between the two ends of the read head reads the data on the data track, or the write head writes data on the data track.

[0110] Understandably, when the read head located at either end of the read / write head moves to the servo area, it can read servo information from the servo area. When the read head located at either end of the read / write head moves to the data track, it can read data from the data track. When the read head located between the two ends of the read / write head moves to the data track, it can read data from the data track. When the write head located between the two ends of the read / write head moves to the data track, it can write data to the data track.

[0111] The servo information or servo location information in the servo area corresponds one-to-one with the data track in the data band.

[0112] In some embodiments, the storage medium is coated with magnetic particles, which may include south and north poles. The arrangement of the south and north poles of the magnetic particles in the servo area may differ from that in the data track, thereby distinguishing the servo area from the data track. After obtaining servo information from the servo area, the controller decodes the servo information according to the arrangement of the south and north poles of the magnetic particles in the servo area to determine the location of the data track where a read or write operation needs to be performed. After obtaining data from the data track, the controller decodes the data according to the arrangement of the south and north poles of the magnetic particles in the data track to obtain the data that needs to be acquired.

[0113] For example, such as Figure 6 As shown, the storage device 600 includes a storage medium 610 and a read / write head 620. The storage medium 610 includes four data bands. In each data band, the first five data tracks are configured with servo areas, and the last five data tracks are configured with servo areas. The servo areas configured on the same data track are arranged at equal intervals.

[0114] When reading data from the data track containing 0, the two read heads 621 located at both ends of the read head 620 are in the servo area and read the servo information at their respective positions according to the high level of the control signal. The two read heads 621 located at both ends of the read head 620 are in the data track and read the data on the data track according to the low level of the control signal. Read head 622 in the read head 620 reads the entire data from the data track determined by the servo information obtained by read head 621.

[0115] When writing data to the data track containing 0s, the two read heads 621 located at both ends of the read / write head 620 are in the servo area and read the servo information at their respective positions according to the high level of the control signal. The write head 623 located between the two ends of the read / write head 620 is in the data track and writes data to the data track according to the low level of the control signal. However, the write head 623 is prohibited from writing data to the servo area.

[0116] The addressing scheme for reading and writing data on the storage medium by the magnetic head can be referred to traditional addressing techniques, and will not be elaborated here.

[0117] The servo area occupancy of the tape in the servo format provided in this application can be as follows: when there are 16 heads in the head group for parallel reading and writing: 10% * 2 / 16 = 1.25%; when there are 32 heads in the head group for parallel reading and writing: 10% * 2 / 32 = 0.625%.

[0118] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a storage system 700 provided in this application. Figure 7 As shown, the storage system 700 includes a processor 710 and a storage device 720. The processor 710 is used to generate data. The storage device 720 is used to store the data generated by the processor 710.

[0119] In some embodiments, the storage device 720 includes a magnetic head and a storage medium. The processor 710 can also control the magnetic head in the storage device 720 to perform read or write operations on the storage medium according to control signals.

[0120] For explanations of storage devices, storage media, magnetic heads, control signals, etc., please refer to the descriptions in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0121] The processor 710 can be a CPU, but it can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), ASICs, FPGAs, or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0122] The processor may also be a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural network processing unit (NPU), a microprocessor, an ASIC, or one or more integrated circuits used to control the execution of the program in this application.

[0123] As an example, storage system 700 may include multiple processors. A processor may be a multi-core (multi-CPU) processor. Here, a processor may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or computing units used to process data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0124] It is worth noting that, Figure 7Taking the storage system 700, which includes one processor 710 and one storage device 720, as an example, the processor 710 and the storage device 720 are used to indicate a type of device or equipment. In specific embodiments, the number of each type of device or equipment can be determined according to business needs.

[0125] Storage device 720 can be a disk, such as a mechanical hard drive or a solid-state drive, or a tape drive containing an embedded servo format.

[0126] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are performed entirely or partially. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a digital video disc (DVD); or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive (SSD). The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application, and these modifications or substitutions should all be covered within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A storage device, characterized in that, include: A storage medium includes multiple data tracks, some of which contain servo areas. The servo areas on the data tracks are arranged at intervals, and the data tracks containing servo areas are also arranged at intervals. The distance between the data tracks containing servo areas is related to the distance between the first read heads in the read head used to read the servo areas. The data tracks are used to record data, and the servo areas are used to record servo information of the data tracks. The magnetic head is used to perform read operations on the servo area, and to perform read or write operations on the data track corresponding to the servo information indicated by the servo area.

2. The storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The data tracks containing servo areas are spaced apart by an arrangement of data tracks that do not contain servo areas.

3. The storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The data tracks containing the servo area are arranged at equal intervals.

4. The storage device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, Multiple adjacent data tracks containing servo areas are alternately arranged with multiple adjacent data tracks not containing servo areas.

5. The storage device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The multiple data tracks are divided into multiple data bands. In the same data band, the servo area is separated by data tracks on different data tracks that do not contain the servo area. Data tracks that contain the servo area but belong to different data bands are adjacent.

6. The storage device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, Multiple servo zones are arranged at equal intervals on the data track containing the servo zone.

7. The storage device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first read head is also used to read data recorded on the data track containing the servo area.

8. The storage device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first read head is located at both ends of the magnetic head.

9. The storage device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The magnetic head also includes a second read head and a write head; The second read head is used to read data on the data track; The write head is used to write data onto the data track.

10. The storage device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The storage device also includes a controller; The controller is used to control the movement of the magnetic head according to the control signal, perform read operations on the servo area, and perform read or write operations on the data track corresponding to the servo information indicated by the servo area.

11. The storage device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The controller is specifically used to control the first read head to read servo information on the servo area and to read data recorded on the data track containing the servo area according to the control signal.

12. The storage device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The controller is specifically used to control the second read head to read data on the data track according to the servo information.

13. The storage device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The controller is also configured to control the write head to write data onto the data track based on the servo information.

14. A storage system, characterized in that, The storage system includes a processor and a storage device as described in any one of claims 1-13, wherein the processor is used to generate data and the storage device is used to store the data.

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