A plurality of configuration sets are used with a detector coupled to a decoder. A processor is coupled to the memory registers and the detector and operable to load a first one of the configuration sets into the detector. The detector to attempts detection of the bits in the digital stream for a first iteration between the detector and the decoder using the first configuration set. After the first iteration, a second one of the configuration sets is loaded into the detector. The second configuration set is different than the first configuration set. The detector to attempts detection of the bits in the digital stream for a second iteration between the detector and the decoder using the second configuration set.

Provided is a magnetic tape device including: a magnetic head having a magnetic element that acts on a magnetic layer formed on a front surface of a magnetic tape; and a guide member that is disposed at a position facing the magnetic head via the magnetic tape and guides the magnetic tape to the magnetic head, in which a back surface of the magnetic tape, which is provided on a side opposite to the front surface and is a surface coarser than the front surface, is slid on the guide member.

A magnetic tape cartridge includes a case in which a magnetic tape is accommodated and a storage medium provided in the case. At least one of reading or writing of data is performed by a plurality of magnetic elements, which are linearly disposed, with respect to the magnetic tape pulled out from the case. A disposition direction of the plurality of magnetic elements is tilted toward an entire length direction side of the magnetic tape with respect to a width direction of the magnetic tape. The storage medium stores tilt feature information indicating a feature of tilt of the disposition direction with respect to the width direction.

A method of decoding a codeword that satisfies a k constraint into output data includes, using a decoder of a hard disk drive system, converting each bit of the codeword in Non-Return-to-Zero format, extracting, from the converted codeword, a plurality of data blocks comprising a first data block and a plurality of remaining data blocks, performing a first analysis on the plurality of data blocks for modifying each of the plurality of data blocks that satisfies a first predetermined criterion, and performing a second analysis on the plurality of data blocks after the first analysis for modifying each of the plurality of data blocks that satisfies a second predetermined criterion to obtain the output data.

A method of decoding a codeword that satisfies a k constraint into output data includes, using a decoder of a hard disk drive system, converting each bit of the codeword in Non-Return-to-Zero format, extracting, from the converted codeword, a plurality of data blocks comprising a first data block and a plurality of remaining data blocks, performing a first analysis on the plurality of data blocks for modifying each of the plurality of data blocks that satisfies a first predetermined criterion, and performing a second analysis on the plurality of data blocks after the first analysis for modifying each of the plurality of data blocks that satisfies a second predetermined criterion to obtain the output data.

Example apparatus and methods provide a log structured block device for a hard disk drive (HDD). Data that is to be stored on an HDD is serialized and written as a series of data blocks using a sequential write. Information about where individual data blocks were supposed to be written (e.g., actual address, neighboring data blocks), where data blocks were actually written, and how often data blocks are accessed is maintained. During garbage collection, data blocks that are being accessed with similar frequencies may be relocated together, with the most frequently accessed (e.g., hottest) data blocks migrating to the outer cylinders of the disk and the least frequently accessed (e.g., coldest) data blocks migrating to the inner cylinders. Blocks stored in the same temperature regions that were intended to be located together when written may be repositioned to facilitate sequential reads.

Apparatus and method for managing a data storage device during extended idle conditions of the data storage device in which host access commands are not being received or serviced. In some embodiments, upon detection of an idle condition, a control circuit identifies a selected data transducer of the data storage device and a corresponding initial radial position of the data transducer with respect to an associated rotatable data recording surface. The control circuit performs a serpentine seek operation during the idle condition to gradually advance the selected data transducer in a selected radial direction across the data recording surface beginning at the initial radial position and ending at a final radial position. The serpentine seek operation prevents the transducer from being maintained in a stationary position during the idle condition, reducing the likelihood of damage through thermal asperity contact events, lubrication disturb, wear, etc.

A head stack assembly (HSA) includes: a preamp having first contacts disposed on a first side and second contacts disposed on a second side which is opposite to the first side; a main actuator circuit disposed proximate the first side of the preamp and having Contacts configured to be electrically connected to the first contacts of the preamp; and a flexure/suspension circuit disposed proximate the second side of the preamp and having flexure/suspension circuit contacts configured to be directly electrically connected to the second contacts of the preamp.

A head stack assembly (HSA) includes: a preamp having first contacts disposed on a first side and second contacts disposed on a second side which is opposite to the first side; a main actuator circuit disposed proximate the first side of the preamp and having Contacts configured to be electrically connected to the first contacts of the preamp; and a flexure/suspension circuit disposed proximate the second side of the preamp and having flexure/suspension circuit contacts configured to be directly electrically connected to the second contacts of the preamp.

Example preamplifier circuits, data storage devices, and methods to provide a preamplifier circuit with separate read and write power channels are described. The preamplifier circuit may include a write driver circuit configured to send a write signal to a writer element of a data storage device and a read driver circuit configured to receive a read signal from a reader element of the data storage device. The write driver circuit may receive a write power signal through a write power channel of a bus interface and the read driver circuit may receive a read power signal through a read power channel of the bus interface, where the write power signal and the read power signal are different. In some configurations, the different read and write power signals may be received from a switching regulator on the printed circuit board that mounts other data storage device electronics, such as the drive controller circuit and/or read/write channel circuit.