Virtual Servo Tracks for Data Storage Head Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data storage devices face complexity in servo control systems due to varying radial densities of servo tracks across different disk surfaces, requiring separate compensation for each surface, which increases system complexity and reduces flexibility.
Innovation Solution
Converting physical position measurements into virtual position measurements using a nominal radial density, allowing the servo control system to operate uniformly across disk drives, regardless of actual radial densities, and enabling flexible servo writing across disk surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate compensation is applied for each disk surface to account for varying radial densities of servo tracks, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical servo track structure by converting physical position measurements into virtual position measurements. This virtual representation standardizes the radial density to a nominal value, allowing the servo control system to operate on a unified model rather than requiring separate compensation for each disk surface's actual varying density, thus reducing complexity while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the position measurement parameter from physical coordinates (which reflect actual varying radial densities) to virtual coordinates (which reflect a standardized nominal radial density). This parameter transformation allows the servo control system to work with uniform standardized values across all disk surfaces, eliminating the need for surface-specific compensation mechanisms
2Manufacturing precision
If separate compensation is applied for each disk surface, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal virtual position measurement system that can handle multiple disk surfaces with different actual radial densities through a single standardized interface. The virtual coordinate system serves all surfaces uniformly, allowing the servo control system to operate consistently across all surfaces without requiring surface-specific operation procedures or separate compensation adjustments
3Adaptability or versatility
If virtual position measurements are used to standardize radial density, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces virtual position measurements as an intermediary layer between the physical servo tracks and the servo control system. This intermediary transforms diverse physical measurements into a standardized virtual coordinate system that maintains precision while enabling adaptability. The conversion process preserves the essential positional information while abstracting away the variations in actual radial density, allowing the control system to operate adaptively without sacrificing measurement accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
A data storage device is disclosed comprising a first disk surface comprising servo tracks defined by servo sectors and recorded at a first radial density, and a first head actuated over the first disk surface. A servo sector on the first disk surface is read to generate a first physical position measurement that is converted into a first virtual position measurement corresponding to a nominal radial density of servo tracks different from the first radial density. The first head is servoed over the first disk surface based on the first virtual position measurement.