A data storage device is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk comprising a plurality of data tracks, including consecutive data tracks N1 and N. A first write to data track N is performed using a first position error signal (PES) representing a position of the head relative to the data tracks. A track squeeze metric is generated for data track N1 based on at least the first PES of the first write. The track squeeze metric for data track N1 is accumulated during the first write, and the first write is aborted when the accumulated track squeeze metric for data track N1 exceeds a first threshold.

A modified hard disk drive (HDD) state is provided. The modified HDD state corresponds to a state wherein the heads of a hard disk drive assembly are parked as a baseline setting, but permitted to float over the platters for completing requests on a limited basis. This prioritizes HHD protection in certain contexts.

HDDs including multiple heads driven by separate actuator spindles can read from or write to one or more platters simultaneously. Simultaneous active heads can be used to increase data rate or for other purposes. The multiple independently-actuated heads can access the same platter or different platters and may be moved across an associated platter surface in a number of different ways. However, multiple independently operating actuators may lead to mechanical coupling between the actuators. For example, as certain resonant frequencies, the movement of one actuator arm may cause unacceptable movement of another actuator arm within the HDD. This mechanical coupling can have detrimental effects on the HDD. The disclosed coupling observer and disable systems detect and mitigate detrimental effects of mechanical coupling between the independently operated actuators.

According to one embodiment, a magnetic disk device includes a disk, a first head, a second head, an actuator configured to position the first head and the second head over the disk, and a controller configured to control the actuator based on a first value having a first waveform suppressing a disturbance component, wherein the controller is configured to invert, in the first waveform, a polarity of a third waveform succeeding a first timing with respect to a polarity of a second waveform preceding the first timing in a case where the first head is changed to the second head at the first timing.

A computer-implemented method, according to one approach, includes: receiving a request to read a plurality of files from a magnetic tape, and obtaining a tape directory which identifies regions on the magnetic tape in which the files are stored. The tape directory is used to map each of the files to one of the regions on the magnetic tape in which the respective file is stored. A first subset of the files stored in a same first region on the magnetic tape is also sorted into a first order. The computer-implemented method further includes simultaneously: sorting a second subset of the files stored in a same second region on the magnetic tape into a second order, and instructing a tape drive to read each of the files in the first subset according to the first order.

Methods and apparatus for allocating logical sectors and bands to store data on interlaced magnetic recording tracks. The systems and methods include formatting a data storage medium to include a plurality of bands, each band of the plurality of bands including a plurality of tracks, the plurality of tracks including a subset of top tracks interlaced with a subset of bottom tracks, and each track of the plurality of tracks including a number of sectors, formatting a first band of the plurality of bands, determining an isolation region of the first band, and formatting a second band of the plurality of bands responsive to determining the isolation region of the first band.

The present disclosure generally relates to tape heads for use in a tape drive system. The tape head includes a plurality of servo elements and a plurality of data elements disposed between the servo elements. An electrostrictive material is present in the tape head. Electrodes are coupled to the electrostrictive material to permit a voltage to be distributed across the electrostrictive material. The voltage causes the electrostrictive material to expand, and thus expand the tape head. By expanding the tape head by adding voltage, or contracting the tape head by lowering voltage, the spacing between adjacent data elements can be adjusted to match the spacing between adjacent data tracks on a tape.

A data storage device is disclosed comprising a first actuator configured to actuate a head over a disk, a second actuator configured to rotate the disk, a first control circuit configured to generate a servo command, and a second control circuit configured to receive the servo command from the first control circuit, control the first actuator or the second actuator using the servo command, and override the servo command to avoid an overcurrent condition.

A method includes processing, via an integrated circuit, data read from a first servo wedge; processing, via the integrated circuit, data from a second servo wedge; and skipping processing data from a third servo wedge positioned between the first servo wedge and the second servo wedge.

A magnetic disk device includes a case including a magnetic disk, a magnetic head configured to read or write data from or to the magnetic disk, an actuator configured to move the magnetic head, and a humidity sensor positioned within the case to measure a humidity in the case and output a measurement value; a control circuit configured to calculate a value of a voltage to be applied to the actuator based on a displacement amount of the magnetic head and the measurement value output from the sensor, and output the calculated value; and a servo controller configured to control the actuator by applying the voltage to the actuator according to the value output by the control circuit.