Dual Actuator Data Storage Device Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotating magnetic media data storage devices face limitations in data capacity and access speed compared to solid-state memories, with single actuators restricting areal data density and data access times due to mechanical limitations and skew angle capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Employing multiple separate actuators and transducing heads for a single data recording surface, allowing for customized optimization of different data regions for physical and mechanical capabilities, enabling increased data capacity and access efficiency without compromising error rates or form factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single actuator is used to access the recording surface, then the device complexity is reduced, but the areal data density and data access speed are limited due to mechanical constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the recording surface into multiple separate regions (first region and second region) and assigns different actuators to access different regions. This segmentation allows each actuator to be optimized for its specific region, improving overall data access speed and areal data density while managing device complexity through functional specialization
2Device complexity
If a single actuator is used to access the recording surface, then the mechanical structure is simplified, but the seek latency increases due to the need to service the entire surface
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the recording surface into multiple regions with dedicated actuators, the patent reduces seek latency as each actuator only needs to service its specific region rather than traversing the entire recording surface. This segmentation strategy directly addresses the time loss without significantly complicating the overall mechanical structure
Solution Approach 2:
Each actuator is designed to service only a portion of the recording surface rather than the entire surface. This partial action approach reduces the travel distance and time for each actuator, thereby reducing seek latency while keeping individual actuator structures simple
3Quantity of substance
If separate actuators are used for different regions, then the areal data density increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring different actuators with different properties optimized for their specific regions. Each actuator can be tailored to the characteristics of its assigned region, maximizing data capacity in each local area while managing overall device complexity through targeted optimization rather than uniform design
4Productivity
If a first transducing head writes data and a second transducing head reads data from the same region, then data access efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to separate actuators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the recording surface into separate regions for write operations and read operations, each serviced by dedicated actuators. This allows simultaneous write and read operations to occur in different regions, improving data access efficiency while managing device complexity through functional segmentation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables preliminary action by allowing data to be written to one region while simultaneously being read from another region. This parallel operation improves data access efficiency as read operations can begin before write operations complete, without requiring a single actuator to sequentially perform both functions
Data Source
AI summary
A data storage device can consist of a data storage medium that has a recording surface accessed by a first transducing head suspended by a first actuator and a second transducing head suspended by a second actuator. The first actuator may be configured to access a first region of the recording surface while the second actuator is configured to access a second region of the recording surface. The first and second regions can be separate and non-overlapping.