Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval – Automatic control of a recorder mechanism – Controlling the head
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-04
2001-08-28
Hudspeth, David (Department: 2651)
Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval
Automatic control of a recorder mechanism
Controlling the head
C360S078040, C360S077040, C360S075000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06282052
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to storage devices. In particular, the present invention relates to servo loops in storage devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Storage devices, such as disc drives, typically use servo systems to position a read or write head over a recording track where digital information is stored. Like all mechanical structures, the servo system has resonant frequencies at which it physically resonates. When the servo system resonates it can become unstable or unpredictable if the resonant frequencies fall within range of operating frequencies of the servo system, which is the range of frequencies at which the servo system can move a head back and forth across the disc.
During design and/or manufacturer of current storage devices, the gain of the servo loop system is measured to determine resonant frequencies of the servo loop and the relative magnitudes of the servo loop gain at those frequencies. Typically, the servo loop gain's magnitude will have localized peaks near resonant frequencies. The magnitude of these peaks, as well as their relationship to the phase response of the servo loop, determine whether the servo loop is unstable.
Currently servo loop gain determinations are made by positioning the head at a radial position along a track and introducing noise signals of different frequencies into the servo loop system. The response of the servo loop at those frequencies is then measured to determine the open loop gain and phase response.
Unfortunately, such measurement systems are less than ideal and do not accurately describe the servo loop gain distribution of a disc drive during normal operations.
The present invention addresses these and other problems, and offers other advantages over the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A method for determining servo loop gain of a servo loop in a disc drive includes performing a plurality of seek operations, each seek operation moving a head in a disc drive across a plurality of tracks on the disc. Afterwards, the head is settled over a radial position on a track and a signal is injected into the servo loop at the first frequency. At least two values generated by portions of the servo loop are measured to determine a servo loop gain.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5305160 (1994-04-01), Funches et al.
patent: 5339206 (1994-08-01), Takahashi
patent: 5369345 (1994-11-01), Phan et al.
patent: 5654841 (1997-08-01), Hobson et al.
patent: 6072654 (2000-06-01), Eddy
Eddy Kyle K.
Galloway Paul A.
Davidson Dan I.
Hudspeth David
Magee Theodore M.
Seagate Technology LLC
Westman Champlin & Kelly P.A.
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus for determination of disc drive... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for determination of disc drive..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for determination of disc drive... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2551237