Programmable write current waveform for high frequency magnetic recording

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/091,553, entitled “PROGRAMMABLE WRITE CURRENT WAVEFORM FOR HIGH FREQUENCY MAGNETIC RECORDING,” filed on Jul. 2, 1998.

[0003] The present invention relates generally to disc drive data storage systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods of, and apparatus for, writing data to magnetic media at high speeds.

[0004] A typical disc drive includes a drive controller, an actuator assembly and one or more magnetic discs mounted for rotation on a hub or spindle. The drive controller controls the disc drive based on commands received from a host system. The drive controller controls the disc drive to retrieve information from the magnetic discs and to store information on the magnetic discs. The actuator assembly includes an actuator coupled to the drive controller and an actuator arm for supporting a head-gimbal assembly over each magnetic disc. The headgimbal assembly carries a data head comprising a hydrodynamic air bearing and a transducer for communicating with the surface of the disc.

[0005] The actuator operates with the drive controller in a servo system. The actuator moves the data head radially over the disc surface for track seek operations and holds the transducer directly over a desired track on the disc surface for track following operations.

[0006] The transducer includes an inductive coil which reads data from and writes data to the magnetic disc by sensing or creating a changing magnetic field. A read/write preamplifier is connected to the transducer at first and second head contacts. The preamplifier includes a read circuit and a write circuit for controlling the read and write operations. The write circuit includes a write driver circuit which is connected across the head contacts. During write mode operation, the write driver circuit forces a write current through the inductive coil to create a magnetic field that polarizes adjacent bit positions on the recording surface. Digital information is stored by reversing the direction of the current flow in the inductive coil. This reverses the polarity of the magnetic field induced in the coil. This reversing of the polarity of the magnetic field in the coil is referred to as a flux reversal. Each flux reversal in turn reverses the polarization of selected bit positions. Each flux reversal represents a change from a logical “1” to a logical “0” or from a logical “0” to a logical “1”. The reversal of the direction of the write current flow in the transducer, and the corresponding flux reversal and reversal of the polarization of the recording surface, is referred to as a data transition or simply a transition.

[0007] The write driver circuit controls the direction of current flow through the inductive coil. The write driver circuit applies a limited voltage swing across the head contacts for reversing current flow and polarizing the adjacent bit position. The rate at which information can be stored on a recording surface through the magnetic head is directly proportional to the rate at which the direction of current can be reversed in the inductive coil. The length of time between two consecutive data transitions is referred to as the transition spacing. For a good write process, it is desirable to deliver a large swing in the write current in a time substantially shorter than the minimum transition spacing for the desired transfer rate. In other words, it is desirable to produce short rise times and fall times.

[0008] The strength of the magnetic field produced by the transducer which is required to switch the polarity of the magnetic medium is called the critical field. In turn, the amount of write current through the transducer which is required to produce the critical field is called the critical current. For a good write process, it is desirable that the write current have a very sharp gradient at the critical current.

[0009] Historically, the write current target waveform has been as illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows the ideal write current I_WI100, the actual write current I_WA102 and the magnetic field H 104 produced by the transducer as a function of time t 106. The ideal write current I_WI100 is a square wave having a magnitude slightly greater than the critical current I_C. However, the inherent capacitance of the transducer and the inductance of the transducer limit the rate at which the current in the transducer can change. Thus, the actual write current I_WAwaveform 102 has a finite rise time t_ri108 and fall time t_fi110 as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 also shows the magnetic field H 104 induced in the transducer by the write current I_WA102. As can be seen in FIG. 1, at high speeds the response of the transducer is not fast enough for the magnetic field response H 104 to track the shape of the write current waveform I_WA102. Thus, the magnetic field H 104 produced by the transducer has a relatively high rise time t_rh112 and fall time t_fh114. Furthermore, at high data transfer rates, the gradient of the induced magnetic field H 104 at the critical field values H_Care relatively low.

[0010] As data transfer rates have increased, one method used in previous art to compensate for the inability of the recording transducer to track the shape of the write current waveform was to increase the amplitude of the write current, as shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows the ideal write current I_WI116, the actual write current I_WA118 and the magnetic field H 120 produced by the transducer as a function of time t 106. The increased amplitude of the actual write current I_WA118 results in a shorter write current rise time t_ri122 and fall time t_fi124, and in turn a shorter magnetic field rise time t_rh126 and fall time t_fh128. The increased write current amplitude also results in a sharper gradient in the write current I_WA118 at the desired critical current I_C, which in turn results in a sharper gradient in the induced field H at the critical field value H_C. However, this method has the drawback that the transducer is deeply saturated at lower frequencies by the excessive write current. This magnetic saturation slows down the subsequent field reversal.

[0011] Another approach used in the prior art to reduce the rise and fall times and increase the gradient of the induced magnetic field is to reduce the damping of the transducer. This method has the drawback that the write current could ring excessively at the resonant frequency of the transducer when the next flux reversal is desired. This resonance can interfere with the next data transition, as the write current needs to be well settled prior to switching the direction of the current to ensure a proper flux reversal. Such an interference in one write signal which interferes with the transition to a new state is known as intersymbol interference (ISI).

[0012] There is a continuing need to reduce the rise and fall times of the transducer write field and increase the gradient of the write field at the critical field without strongly saturating the transducer core and without introducing excessive resonance in the write current.

[0013] The present invention provides a solution to this and other problems and offers other advantages over the prior art.

[0014] The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for reducing the rise and fall times of the transducer write field and increasing the gradient of the write field at the critical field without strongly saturating the transducer core and without introducing excessive resonance in the write current.

[0015] One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method of writing data to a magnetic data storage medium. First, a first amount of write current is provided to a transducer positioned near the data storage medium. After providing the first amount of write current, the amount of write current provided to the transducer is reduced to a second amount of write current of the same polarity as the first amount. The second amount of write current is lower than the first amount but higher than an amount of write current needed to sustain the polarity of a bit of data on the magnetic medium. The second amount of write current is then maintained at a steady state value.

[0016] According to another method of writing data to a magnetic data storage medium according to the present invention, a transducer is positioned next to the magnetic data storage medium and a multilevel electrical write pulse is provided to the transducer. The write pulse has a peak value and a steady state value that is lower than the peak value. The steady state value occurs after the peak value. In one embodiment, the magnitude of the steady state value is greater than or equal to the magnitude of write current required to sustain the polarity of a bit of data on the magnetic data storage medium.

[0017] Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a disc drive that includes at least one magnetic disc, at least one transducer and at least one write circuit. The transducer writes data to a surface of a magnetic disc. The write circuit provides a write pulse to the transducer. The write pulse has a peak value and a steady state value. The peak value occurs before the steady state value during a transient in the write pulse and has a greater magnitude than the steady state value.

[0018] These and various other features as well as advantages which characterize the present invention will be apparent upon reading of the following detailed description and review of the associated drawings.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a graph showing write current waveforms and a magnetic field waveform in accordance with the prior art.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a graph showing write current waveforms and a magnetic field waveform in accordance with the prior art.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a top view of a disc drive in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of a disc drive in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a graph showing write current waveforms and a magnetic field waveform in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a flow chart representing a method of writing data to a magnetic data storage medium according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a top view of a disc drive 200 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Disc drive 200 includes a disc pack 206 mounted for rotation about spindle 209. Disc pack 206 includes a plurality of individual discs, each of which include concentric tracks, or cylinders, for receiving and storing data in the form of magnetic flux reversals encoded on the tracks. Disc drive 200 also includes an actuator 216 mounted to a base 202 and pivotally moveable relative to discs 206 about pivot shaft 220. Actuator 216 includes an actuator arm assembly 217 which includes a plurality of actuator arms 214. Each actuator arm 214 is attached to one or more flexure arms 212. Each flexure arm 212 supports a data head 210. Data head 210 includes an air bearing, or slider, which supports a transducer for reading information from and encoding information to one of the discs 206. In an illustrative embodiment, actuator 216 includes a voice coil motor, shown generally at 218. Disc drive 200 further includes a drive controller (not shown) which is coupled to a host system or another controller which controls a plurality of drives. In an illustrative embodiment, the drive controller is a microprocessor, or digital computer. The drive controller is either mountable within disc drive 200, or is located outside of disc drive 200 with suitable connection to actuator 216.

[0026] During operation, the drive controller receives position information indicating a track of the disc 206 to be accessed. The drive controller receives the position information from an operator, from a host computer, or from another suitable controller. Based on the position information, the drive controller provides a position signal to actuator 216. The position signal causes actuator 216 to pivot about pivot shaft 220. In an illustrative embodiment, the position signal comprises a current supplied to the voice coil motor 218, causing actuator 216 to pivot about pivot shaft 220. This, in turn, causes data head 210 to move radially over the surface of the disc 206 in a generally arcuate path indicated by arrow 222.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of disc drive 200, showing the interrelationship between drive controller 230, read/write preamplifiers 232, transducers 234 and discs 206 according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Drive controller 230 communicates with at least one read/write preamplifier 232. Each preamplifier 232 communicates with at least one transducer 234. It should be noted that although FIG. 4 shows two read write preamplifiers 232, each of which communicates with two transducers, a disc drive in accordance to the present invention may include any number of read/write preamplifiers 232 and any number of transducers 234. Transducers 234 read information from and encode information to an associated surface of one of discs 206. Each transducer 234 includes an inductive coil which writes data to the magnetic disc 206 by creating a changing magnetic field. A read/write preamplifier 232 is connected to the transducer 234 at first and second head contacts. The preamplifier 234 includes a read circuit and a write circuit for controlling the read and write operations. The write circuit includes a write driver circuit which is connected across the head contacts.

[0028] During operation, drive controller 230 receives instructions for one or more of transducers 234 to read from or write to a surface of one or more of discs 206. Drive controller 230 then provides a signal to the preamplifier 232 that is associated with the selected transducer 234. Said signal indicates which transducer 234 is to be accessed and whether a read or write operation is to be performed. If a write operation is requested, drive controller 230 provides the data to be written to the appropriate preamplifier 232. The write circuit of read/write preamplifier 232 then forces a write current through the inductive coil of transducer 234 to create a magnetic field that polarizes adjacent bit positions on the surface of disc 206. Digital information is stored by reversing the direction of the current flow in the inductive coil. This reverses the polarity of the magnetic field induced in the coil. This flux reversal in turn reverses the polarization of selected bit positions. Each flux reversal represents a change from a logical “1” to a logical “0” or from a logical “0” to a logical “1”. The write circuit controls the direction of current flow through the inductive coil. The write circuit applies a limited voltage swing across the head contacts for reversing current flow and polarizing the adjacent bit position.

[0029] According to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the write circuit of read/write preamplifier 232 produces a write current as shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows the ideal write current I_WI150, the actual write current I_WA152 and the magnetic field H 154 produced by the transducer 234 as a function of time t 106, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The ideal write current I_WI150 is a two-level square wave. The first portion 156 of the ideal write pulse I_WI150 has a magnitude I_P160 which is significantly greater than the critical current I_C. In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the magnitude 160 of the first portion 156 of the write pulse I_WI150 is equivalent to the magnitude of the ideal write current I_WI116 of the prior art method depicted in FIG. 2. The second portion 158 of the ideal write pulse I_WI150 is of the same polarity as the first portion 156 of the write pulse I_WI150 and has a magnitude I_S162 which is significantly lower than the magnitude I_P160 of the first portion 156 of the write pulse I_WI150, but which is high enough to maintain the written transition. In the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the magnitude I_S162 of the second portion 158 of the ideal write pulse I_WI150 is greater than the magnitude of the critical current I_C. However, it is not necessary for the magnitude I_S162 of the second portion 158 of the ideal write pulse I_WI150 to be greater than the magnitude of the critical current I_C. The magnitude I_S162 of the second portion 158 of the ideal write pulse I_WI150 need only be high enough to maintain the written state of the bit of data on the magnetic medium 206.

[0030] The inherent capacitance of the transducer 234 and the inductance of the transducer 234 limit the rate at which the current in the transducer 234 can change. Therefor, the actual write current I_WA152 according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention is as shown in FIG. 5. Like the ideal waveform I_WI150, the actual write current I_WA152 has two distinct portions, although with the actual waveform I_WA152 a finite amount of time is required to attain the respective current levels. As can be seen in FIG. 5, when a data transition is desired, a peak current 164 is supplied to the transducer 234. This peak current 164 has a magnitude I_P160 which is substantially greater than the critical current I_c. In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the magnitude 160 of the peak current 164 of the write pulse I_WA152 is equivalent to the magnitude of the actual write current I_WA118 of the prior art method depicted in FIG. 2. This increased amount of write current I_WA152 is delivered for a time shorter than the minimum transition spacing. The increased amount of write current I_WA152 during the data transition results in a shorter write current rise time t_ri168 and fall time t_fi170. The increased write current I_WA152 further results in an increased gradient in the write current I_WA152 at the critical current I_C.

[0031] As seen in FIG. 5, after the peak current 164 is provided to the transducer 234, the amount of current I_WA152 provided to the transducer is reduced to a steady state current 166 having the same polarity as the peak current 164 and having a magnitude I_S162 which is significantly lower than the magnitude I_P160 of the peak current 164 of the write pulse I_WA150, but which is high enough to maintain the written transition. In the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the magnitude I_S162 of the steady state current 166 is greater than the magnitude of the critical current I_C. However, it is not necessary for the magnitude I_S162 of the steady state current 166 to be greater than the magnitude of the critical current I_C. The magnitude I_S162 of the steady state current 166 need only be high enough to maintain the written state of the bit of data on the magnetic medium 206. The magnitude I_S162 of the steady state current 166 may be dictated by the head/media combination and the write method used.

[0032] In the illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the write current I_WAis reduced as soon as the write current I_WAreaches the peak value I_P160. In an alternative embodiment, the peak current 164 is maintained at or near the peak value I_Pfor a predetermined length of time prior to reducing the write current I_WA152 to the steady state value I_S.

[0033] In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the magnitude I_P160 of the peak write current 164 is greater than or equal to twice the magnitude of the critical current I_C. In a further illustrative embodiment, the magnitude I_P160 of the peak write current 164 is approximately equal to twice the magnitude I_S162 of the steady state write current 166.

[0034] Providing the transducer 234 with the write current waveform I_WA152 shown in FIG. 5 results in a magnetic field H 154 coming out of the transducer 234 having the response characteristics as shown in FIG. 5. When the magnitude of the magnetic field H 154 reaches the critical field H_C, the data bit is written to the magnetic medium 206. The increased amount of write current I_WA152 during the data transition results in a shorter magnetic field rise time t_rh172 and fall time t_fh174. The increased peak current 164 further results in an increased gradient in the write current H at the critical field H_C. Reducing the write current I_WA152 to steady state value I_S162 prevents the magnetic field H out of the transducer 234 from rising significantly past the critical field H_C. This prevents the transducer 234 from becoming magnetically saturated, thereby maintaining the high speed of the flux reversals.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a flow chart representing a method of writing data to a magnetic data storage medium according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. At block 300, a data transition is requested by the drive controller 230. At block 302, the write circuit of read/write preamplifier 232 provides a peak amount of write current to transducer 234. At block 304, the write circuit reduces the amount of write current provided to the transducer 234 to a second amount of write current, less than the peak amount of write current. At block 306, the write circuit maintains the second amount of write current provided to the transducer 234. At item 308, it is queried whether a new data transition has been requested. If a new data transition has been requested, a peak amount of current is again provided to the transducer 234, as called for in block 302. Note that the polarity of the write current here applied to the transducer 234 will be opposite the polarity of the previously applied write current. If at item 308 a new data transition is not requested, the write circuit continues to provide the transducer 234 with the second amount of write current, as called for in block 306.

[0036] In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the magnitude I_P160 and the duration of the peak current 164 are programmable, that is, stored in computer memory. In one embodiment, this computer memory resides in the read/write preamplifier 232. Illustratively, separate values of the magnitude I_P160 and the duration of the peak current 164 are stored for each transducer 234. In operation, when a given transducer is selected for writing, the corresponding magnitude I_P160 and duration of the peak current 164 are retrieved from memory and the write current is provided to the transducer according to these values. Pursuant to this embodiment, the optimum values of the magnitude I_P160 and duration of the peak current 164 for each transducer 234 are illustratively determined experimentally during the manufacture of the disc drive 200.

[0037] There are trade-offs to be made between the amplitude I_P160 and the duration of the overshoot. The values used for the amplitude I_P160 and the duration of the overshoot depend on the head/media combination and the desired transfer rate. Generally, the higher the amplitude I_P160 of the overshoot, the longer it takes for the write current to settle to the steady state value I_S162. The interconnect between the write driver and the transducer will also contribute to the final shape of the write current entering the transducer proper. For example, sometimes it is desirable to use a lower impedance interconnect. This reduces the rise time t_ri168 and fall time t_rf170 but increases the amount of time required for the write current I_WA152 to settle to its steady state value I_S162. Having the ability to control the duration of the overshoot could compensate for this increased settling time. Thus, depending on what the desired optimization target is, either the duration or the amplitude of the overshoot, or both, may be programmed.

[0038] The present invention offers many advantages over the prior art beyond those heretofore discussed as part of the description of the illustrative embodiments. For example, the increase in the gradient of the transducer output field H reduces the amount of noise generated in the recording media. Also, by optimizing the high frequency response of the recording process, the overwrite capability of a particular transducer/media combination is improved. Overwrite capability is the capability of the transducer to write new data over previously written data on the disc surface. Thus, improving the overwrite capability reduces the previously written data's effect on the newly written data. Additionally, by eliminating the need for a large steady state write current, the magnitude of the erase band could be reduced.

[0039] Furthermore, by having the amplitude and the duration of the write current overshoot properly adjusted, intersymbol interference (ISI) is also reduced. Still another advantage of the present invention is that, by reducing the steady state value of the write current, the size of the devices used in the write driver circuit can also be reduced. This results in lower parasitics and therefor smaller resonant frequency of the circuit comprised of the write driver and the transducer. This acts favorably toward the goal of increasing the transfer rate.

[0040] In summary, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method of writing data to a magnetic data storage medium 206. First, a first amount of write current I_P160 is provided to a transducer 234 positioned near the data storage medium 206. After providing the first amount of write current I_P160, the amount of write current I_WA152 provided to the transducer 234 is reduced to a second amount of write current I_S162 of the same polarity as the first amount I_P160. The second amount of write current I_S162 is lower than the first amount I_P160 but higher than an amount of write current needed to sustain the polarity of a bit of data on the magnetic medium 206. The second amount of write current I_S162 is then maintained at a steady state value.

[0041] According to another method of writing data to a magnetic data storage medium 206 according to the present invention, a transducer 234 is positioned next to the magnetic data storage medium 206 and a multilevel electrical write pulse I_WA152 is provided to the transducer 234. The write pulse I_WA152 has a peak value I_P160 and a steady state value I_S162 that is lower than the peak value I_P160. The steady state value I_S162 occurs after the peak value I_P160. In one embodiment, the magnitude of the steady state value I_S162 is greater than the magnitude of write current required to sustain the polarity of a bit of data on the magnetic data storage medium 206.

[0042] Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a disc drive 200 that includes at least one magnetic disc 206, at least one transducer 234 and at least one write circuit. The transducer 234 writes data to a surface of a magnetic disc 206. The write circuit provides a write pulse I_WA152 to the transducer 234. The write pulse I_WA152 has a peak value I_P160 and a steady state value I_S162. The peak value I_P160 occurs before the steady state value I_S162 during a transient in the write pulse I_WA152 and has a greater magnitude than the steady state value I_S162.

[0043] It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of various embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of various embodiments of the invention, this disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in details, especially in matters of structure and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. For example, a disc drive in accordance with the present invention may include any number of preamplifiers, each of which communicate with any number of data heads. Further, aspects of the invention are also applicable to optical storage technologies such as magneto-optic devices. Other medium configurations, such as magnetic tape, can also be used. Other modifications can also be made.