Hard Disk Drive Head Flying Height Stabilization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hard disk drives require a significant time for the head to reach a target flying height, leading to unstable write operations and potential weak data recording.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that includes loading drive data from a maintenance cylinder area to memory, writing test data into a spare area, performing a pre-write verify operation using an error correction code within a ready time, and subsequent original-write verify operation, to reduce the time for the head to reach the target flying height and enhance write operation reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the head performs a write operation after power is applied, then data can be recorded on the disk, but the head may not have reached the target flying height yet causing weak data writing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs a preliminary write operation (pre-write verify) within the ready time period to ensure the head reaches the target flying height before actual data writing begins. This preliminary action validates the head's positioning and stability, preventing weak data writing while optimizing the startup sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The verification process is segmented into two distinct operations: a pre-write verify operation performed within ready time to check head positioning, and an original-write verify operation performed afterward to confirm data integrity. This segmentation allows the system to address head positioning issues separately from data writing issues.
2Reliability
If a write verify operation is performed for a predetermined period after power is applied, then weak data writing can be prevented, but the time required for the head to reach target flying height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs a partial verification action (pre-write verify) during the ready time period that is sufficient to ensure head positioning reliability, but does not perform the full traditional write verify operation. This partial action provides adequate verification while minimizing the time impact on the ready time period.
3Loss of time
If test data is written into the spare area within ready time, then head positioning can be verified quickly, but additional operations are required afterward
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the verification function from the main data writing process and places it in a dedicated spare area within the maintenance cylinder. This separation allows the pre-write verify operation to be performed independently within ready time, and the original-write verify operation can be performed afterward without interfering with normal data writing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a hard disk drive and an operation method thereof. A method of operating a hard disk drive according to the present invention may include (a) loading drive data required to drive the hard disk drive from a maintenance cylinder area contained in a disk to a memory; and (b) writing test data output from a head into a spare area contained in the maintenance cylinder area, wherein the steps (a) and (b) are carried out within a ready time.