Variable-Container Data Storage for Higher Density and TMR Averaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data storage devices face challenges in maximizing data density and minimizing track misregistration (TMR) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) due to variations in track density and defects on disk surfaces.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a distributed sector encoding scheme that interleaves data into logic blocks of varying sizes, assigning them to containers of different sizes, and mapping these blocks across multiple sectors to optimize track utilization and distribute defects across larger areas, thereby enhancing data density and reducing TMR and SNR variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If data is written using fixed-size sectors, then the data storage structure is simple, but data density cannot be maximized and track misregistration variations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the storage structure into variable-sized containers that can hold different numbers of logic blocks (e.g., 15, 16, or 17 logic blocks per container). This segmentation allows flexible adaptation to track capacity variations while maintaining an organized storage hierarchy with containers, spans, and sets, thereby maximizing data density without overwhelming complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic container sizes that can be adjusted based on track characteristics. Containers are configured to hold varying numbers of logic blocks depending on the specific track's capacity and defect distribution, allowing the storage system to adapt dynamically to different conditions rather than using fixed-size sectors.
2Reliability
If tracks are spaced farther apart, then TMR variations are reduced, but data track density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by distributing defects and data locally across different container spans and sets. By spreading logic blocks across multiple tracks in a distributed manner, the system achieves closely spaced tracks while locally managing TMR variations through strategic data placement and redundancy distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of track misregistration into a benefit by using distributed sector encoding where no single sector is critical. The distributed arrangement across multiple tracks means that TMR variations affect multiple redundant copies rather than a single data point, transforming potential data loss into an opportunity for error correction and recovery.
3Reliability
If distributed sector encoding is implemented, then TMR averaging and SNR improvement are achieved, but encoding complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data into logic blocks that are distributed across multiple sectors and tracks. This segmentation enables TMR averaging by spreading related data elements across different physical locations, and improves SNR through distributed encoding where redundancy is spread across multiple sectors rather than concentrated in one location.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributed sector encoding scheme serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides TMR averaging, improves SNR, enables defect distribution, and maintains data redundancy. This multi-functionality justifies the increased encoding complexity by delivering multiple reliability benefits from a single encoding approach.
4Productivity
If variable container sizes are used, then integer numbers of containers fit tracks more efficiently, but container assignment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic container size selection where the number of logic blocks per container (15, 16, or 17) is chosen based on the specific track's capacity requirements. This dynamic approach allows integer numbers of containers to fit tracks more efficiently, maximizing capacity utilization while the system manages the assignment complexity through structured span and set organization.
Data Source
AI summary
Various illustrative aspects are directed to a data storage device, comprising: one or more disks; a write mechanism configured to write data to disk surfaces of the one or more disks; and one or more processing devices, which are configured to: encode, based on a distributed sector encoding scheme, data into a plurality of logic blocks of data, wherein the logic blocks of data comprise the data to be written being interleaved across a plurality of sectors; assign at least some of the logic blocks to a plurality of containers of two or more container sizes, the container sizes comprising a relatively larger container size and a relatively smaller container size; and output a write signal to the write mechanism to write the logic blocks in accordance with the assigning of the at least some of the logic blocks to the plurality of containers.