Servo Sector Preamble Removal for Data Storage Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data storage devices face inefficiencies in disk format due to the need for preambles and sync marks in servo sectors, which occupy valuable space and can lead to increased write gaps during operations, limiting data storage capacity and operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves writing servo sectors without preambles and optimizing the servo gate operation to reduce write gaps, allowing for improved format efficiency by reserving more space for user data and using a shock sensor to detect off-track conditions, enabling early servo gate opening to read partial track IDs and adjust the disk locked clock for phase error compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If preambles and sync marks are included in servo sectors, then timing synchronization and gain adjustment are ensured, but data storage capacity is reduced due to occupied space and increased write gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the preamble from the servo sector structure, retaining only the essential sync mark and servo data. This elimination of redundant elements reduces the space occupied in each servo sector, thereby increasing the available space for user data while maintaining the critical synchronization function through the retained sync mark.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of servo sector composition by removing the preamble portion entirely. This parameter change in the data structure reduces the overhead per servo sector, allowing more efficient use of disk space for user data while the sync mark continues to provide necessary timing synchronization.
2Reliability
If preambles are written in servo sectors, then proper gain adjustment is achieved, but write gaps increase reducing operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the preamble from the servo sector write operation, eliminating the unnecessary write gap that followed each servo sector. By extracting this redundant element, the system reduces the time lost during write operations and improves overall operational efficiency while alternative methods are used to achieve the necessary gain adjustment.
3Reliability
If servo sectors occupy more space with preambles, then timing synchronization is maintained, but data segment usage between servo sectors is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the preamble portion from each servo sector, reducing the total space occupied by servo infrastructure. This extraction frees up disk space that can be reallocated to user data segments, increasing the area available for productive data storage while the essential sync mark remains to maintain timing synchronization.
Data Source
AI summary
A data storage device is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk comprising a plurality of servo sectors defining a plurality of data tracks, wherein each servo sector comprises a track ID followed by a sync mark followed by at least one servo burst, and a first servo sector does not include a preamble. During a read operation, a servo gate is opened in order to read the track ID, the sync mark, and the servo burst of the first servo sector. During a write operation, the servo gate is opened in order to miss reading at least part of the track ID of the first servo sector so as to reduce a write gap preceding the first servo sector.