Dual Actuator Magnetic Disk Device Parallel Track Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetic disk devices face performance deterioration due to the need for sequential access and increased seek time when writing or reading data across multiple tracks, particularly when using a single actuator, which limits access rate and management efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The magnetic disk device employs two actuators and magnetic heads, allowing independent and parallel access to multiple tracks, with a control circuit that distributes data in track units to optimize writing and reading operations, thereby reducing the number of tracks accessed and improving performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single actuator is used to access multiple tracks, then the device structure is simpler, but the access rate decreases and seek time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the actuator system into multiple independent actuators (first actuator and second actuator), each capable of independently accessing different tracks. This segmentation allows parallel access to multiple tracks simultaneously, resolving the contradiction by sacrificing some structural simplicity for significantly improved access rate.
2Device complexity
If a single actuator sequentially accesses multiple tracks, then the device structure is simpler, but the seek time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the actuator system into multiple independent actuators, the patent enables simultaneous access to multiple tracks without sequential movement. This eliminates the seek time penalty associated with moving a single actuator between tracks, as each actuator can operate independently on its assigned track.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent assigns specific tracks to specific actuators in advance (first actuator to first track, second actuator to second track). This preliminary assignment allows the system to prepare and execute parallel access operations, eliminating the need for time-consuming sequential seeking between tracks.
3Device complexity
If data is written across multiple tracks using a single actuator, then the device structure is simpler, but the data management efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments both the actuator system and the data management process. Multiple actuators handle different tracks simultaneously, and the control circuit distributes data across multiple actuators in parallel. This segmentation enables efficient data management by allowing simultaneous writing and reading operations across multiple tracks.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit performs preliminary data distribution by allocating specific data portions to specific actuators before the writing operation begins. This preliminary allocation enables parallel data processing and eliminates sequential bottlenecks, significantly improving data management efficiency.
4Speed
If multiple actuators are used for parallel track access, then the access rate increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements segmentation at the actuator level, creating multiple independent actuator units. Each actuator is a complete, functional unit capable of independent operation, which simplifies the control architecture compared to attempting to coordinate a single complex actuator across multiple tracks. The segmentation enables parallel operation while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances the access rate and reading performance by allowing simultaneous writing and reading across multiple tracks, reducing seek time and improving data management efficiency compared to single-actuator systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first magnetic head and a second magnetic head different from the first magnetic head
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a magnetic disk device includes a magnetic disk including a plurality of tracks, first and second actuators, and a control circuit. The magnetic disk includes the plurality of tracks. The control circuit writes, in a first track by using the first actuator, second data having a size corresponding to a first number among the first data. In addition, the control circuit writes, in a second track by using the second actuator, third data having a size corresponding to a second number among the first data. Each of the first track and the second track is a track among the plurality of tracks. The first number is a number of writable sectors included in the first track. The second number is a number of writable sectors included in the second track. The third data is data received subsequent to the second data.