Microactuator DAC Range Adjustment for Temperature Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data storage devices face challenges in accurately positioning the head over a disk due to temperature-induced changes in microactuator gain and sensitivity, which can lead to excessive control signals damaging the microactuator or affecting servo system performance.
Innovation Solution
A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is configured to adjust its range based on operating temperature, reducing the maximum amplitude of control signals to prevent microactuator damage and increasing resolution, thereby improving servo system performance by decreasing quantization error.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the DAC range is maintained at a fixed level, then the device complexity is reduced, but the microactuator may be damaged by excessive control signals at high temperatures or the resolution is insufficient at low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the DAC output range based on measured microactuator gain at different operating temperatures. The system transitions from a fixed DAC range to a dynamically adaptable range that is optimized for current operating conditions, resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple fixed architecture and achieving temperature-compensated safety and performance
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the DAC output parameter (voltage or current range) based on temperature-induced gain variations in the microactuator. By measuring the actual microactuator gain and adjusting the DAC scaling factor accordingly, the system maintains optimal control signal levels across temperature ranges without requiring hardware changes
2Measurement precision
If the DAC range is increased to improve resolution, then the head positioning precision is improved, but the microactuator may be damaged by excessive control signal amplitude at high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the DAC output parameter (range and resolution) based on measured microactuator gain at the current operating temperature. At low temperatures where microactuator gain is lower, the DAC operates with higher output range and resolution to maintain positioning precision. At high temperatures where gain is higher, the DAC reduces its output range to prevent excessive control signals that could damage the microactuator. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between maximizing resolution and preventing damage
3Reliability
If the DAC output range is reduced to prevent microactuator damage, then the microactuator safety is improved, but the head positioning resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic adaptation of the DAC output characteristics based on real-time temperature and microactuator gain measurements. Rather than using a fixed reduced range that would always prioritize safety over resolution, the system dynamically scales the DAC output to provide maximum resolution within safe boundaries for each operating condition, resolving the contradiction between safety and resolution
Data Source
AI summary
A data storage device is disclosed comprising a disk, a head, and a microactuator configured to actuate the head over the disk. The data storage device further comprises control circuitry comprising a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) configured to generate a control signal applied to the microactuator. The control circuitry measures an operating temperature and then adjusts a range of the DAC based on the measured operating temperature.