Thermally Assisted Degaussing for EAMR Media Sanitization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current degaussing technologies are inadequate for securely sanitizing emerging energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) storage devices, as they require significantly higher magnetic fields than commercially available degaussers can produce, posing safety hazards and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A combination of heating elements and magnetic field generating elements is used to apply heat and magnetic fields to the magnetic storage device, reducing the required magnetic field strength by lowering the magnetic recording medium's magnetization and anisotropy, with thermal isolation to prevent heat transfer to the magnetic field generating element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If higher magnetic fields are applied to sanitize EAMR media, then data erasure effectiveness is improved, but safety hazards increase and device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies thermal energy to raise the temperature of the magnetic recording medium, which changes the magnetic anisotropy energy and reduces the coercivity. This parameter change allows the same degausser to effectively erase EAMR media at elevated temperatures without requiring dangerous high magnetic fields at room temperature. The thermal parameter modification enables conventional degaussers to handle next-generation media safely.
2Reliability
If higher magnetic fields are generated to sanitize EAMR media, then data erasure effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing thermal energy as an additional parameter, the system modifies the magnetic properties of the recording medium in situ. This allows existing degausser hardware to effectively sanitize EAMR media without requiring upgrades to magnetic field generation capabilities, thereby avoiding increased device complexity and cost.
3Temperature
If heating elements are added to the degausser, then magnetic field requirements are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines heating elements with the existing magnetic field generation components into an integrated degausser system. The heating mechanism is incorporated within the same housing and operational framework as the electromagnetic coils, allowing simultaneous or sequential application of thermal and magnetic energy without requiring separate standalone equipment, thus minimizing additional structural complexity.
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 approach efficiently and securely sanitizes EAMR storage devices with reduced magnetic field requirements, ensuring data erasure without safety hazards and maintaining degausser performance.
Implementation Method 1
one or more heating elements disposed proximate to the magnetic storage device, the one or more heating elements configured to heat the magnetic storage device to an elevated temperature
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic field generating element configured to apply a magnetic field to the magnetic storage device
Implementation Method 3
thermal isolation to prevent heat transfer to the magnetic field generating element
Data Source
AI summary
An improved degaussing system for sanitizing data stored in a magnetic storage device (MSD) includes a magnetic field generating element configured to generate a directional field toward a media tray for retaining the MSD. Heating elements disposed proximate to the media tray heats the MSD to an elevated temperature before or during application of a magnetic field. An insulating element at least partially encloses the heating elements to isolate the magnetic field generating element from the heating element.