Patent ID: 6714368
Filing Date: 2004-03-30
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A method comprising the steps of:providing, in a disk drive, at least a first disk surface and at least a first head; writing at least a first data pattern of a first data density and a second data pattern of a second data density on the first disk surface using the first head; reading the first and second data patterns from the first disk surface using the first head upon expiration of at least a first predetermined time interval; calculating a first thermal decay rate associated with the first data pattern; calculating a second thermal decay rate associated with the second data pattern; determining whether the first thermal decay rate associated with the first data pattern satisfies a first thermal decay rate requirement; determining whether the second thermal decay rate associated with the second data pattern satisfies a second thermal decay rate requirement; and, selecting a density at which to record data on the first disk surface based upon whether the first thermal decay rate meets the first thermal decay rate requirement and whether the second thermal decay rate meets the second thermal decay rate requirement.