Method and apparatus for controlling and analyzing a data storage system
First Claim
1. A system for measuring attributes of a rotatable data storage unit using the head assembly on a controllable actuator, comprising:
- (a) means, disposed spaced apart from the actuator and internal to the storage unit, for reflecting a light beam of small cross section, generated externally to the storage unit, off a surface responsive to actuator position through a transparent window in the storage unit onto an image region along a path disposed at a distance from the actuator;
(b) means for generating a control signal in response to the position of the light beam along the path;
(c) means for adjusting the actuator position in response to the control signal to maintain the actuator at a predetermined relation to the selected image region while data transfer is effected by the head assembly; and
(d) means for measuring characteristics of the data transfer effected by the head assembly so that diagnostic indications of the data storage unit can be provided.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for controlling and analyzing data storage systems, and more particularly, to systems and methods for controlling and analyzing performance and physical attributes of a sealed disk drive unit using an externally accessible but internally integral positioning system. A disk drive having a sealed housing utilizes a reflective planar mirror on the rotary actuator controlling the head drive assembly. A narrow beam directed through a window on the side wall of the housing onto the mirror is reflected off at angle dependent on the actuator position to a beam sensitive detector. A translator system driven by a positioner disposed at a distance from the rotary actuator axis which is substantially greater than the distance between the actuator axis and the head assembly, is used to vary the relationship between the directed and reflected beams. This system incorporates the rotary actuator in a closed loop servo that positions the actuator precisely at different locations relative to the recording medium, so that the data may be written and analyzed at off-track track position increments. The invention further provides, at an early or later manufacturing stage, means for calculating bias torque and friction without the need for prerecorded embedded servo information.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A system for measuring attributes of a rotatable data storage unit using the head assembly on a controllable actuator, comprising:
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(a) means, disposed spaced apart from the actuator and internal to the storage unit, for reflecting a light beam of small cross section, generated externally to the storage unit, off a surface responsive to actuator position through a transparent window in the storage unit onto an image region along a path disposed at a distance from the actuator; (b) means for generating a control signal in response to the position of the light beam along the path; (c) means for adjusting the actuator position in response to the control signal to maintain the actuator at a predetermined relation to the selected image region while data transfer is effected by the head assembly; and (d) means for measuring characteristics of the data transfer effected by the head assembly so that diagnostic indications of the data storage unit can be provided. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for measuring attributes of a rotatable data storage unit using the head assembly on a controllable actuator, comprising:
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(a) means, disposed spaced apart from the actuator and internal to the storage unit, for reflecting a light beam of small cross section, generated externally to the storage unit, off a surface responsive to actuator position through a transparent window in the storage unit onto an external image region along a path disposed at a distance from the actuator; (b) means for generating a control signal in response to the position of the light beam along the path; (c) means for adjusting the actuator position in response to the control signal to maintain the actuator at a predetermined relation to the selected image region; and (d) means for measuring characteristics of the actuator during adjustment of its position so that diagnostic indications of the data storage unit can be provided. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification