SERVO GAIN COMPENSATION IN A DISC DRIVE

Abstract: Improvements are realized in magnetic disc drives in minimizing servo gain variations from one head to another and in differing track offset positions by providing servo code patterns and methods of fabricating such patterns in which magnetic heads of differing widths overlap the same amount of servo code and in which servo gain variations in track offset positions are minimized by maintaining servo code overlap by the magnetic heads relatively constant up to substantially one-half track offsets of magnetic head.

Description: This invention relates to arrangements for servo gain compensation in a magnetic type of disc memory drive or file, and, more particularly to such a disc drive in which the discs have servo magnetic transitions or zones recorded thereon of individual configurations and overall patterns of such configurations, affording substantially uniform head-to-head as well as media servo gain characteristics. Background Art Magnetic disc drives use magnetic heads and recorded servo code in a track following servo mode for keeping the magnetic heads track centered during reading operations. The magnetic heads comprise a magnetic core having an air gap therein and having a coil wound thereon. These magnetic cores vary in effective magnetic widths due to their design and due to the manufacturing process. These physical variations among the magnetic heads result in variations in servo gain when they are individually connected in the servo loop. Efforts to compensate for these variations in servo gain have included manual adjustments of servo gain of the individual heads in the servo loops and arrangements for automatically compensating for such variation which latter are made in the circuits coupling the individual heads to the servo system. Such arrangements usually involve, individually calibrating the heads, determining the correction to bring all of the heads within a predetermined servo gain band width and externally storing the individual corrections which are to be made to compensate the servo gain variation with different heads. These approaches however, do not suggest the use, on the memory discs, of servo code patterns which are designed to compensate head-to-head servo gain variations, to compensate servo gain variations resulting from the radial position of the individual heads on the discs and to compensate servo gain variations resulting from the aerodynamic behaviour of the individual heads in flight. Along this line, US patent 4,412,165 describes a sampled servo position control system. Here servo codes provided at intervals on a record medium are used in a sampled servo system to define data tracks. The patent notes that problems arising from the magnetic medium or from the servo writing process can in some instances lead to misalignment of a servo path or track defined by the servo code with a corresponding desired data track. The problem is solved by measuring the position error signals with a head constrained in the correct on-track position. These position error signals are stored in the disc data section immediately preceding the associated faulty sample and used to keep the head on track with the data. While recording on the disc is described to store information to correct this off-track problem, there is no consideration with regard to specific configurations of magnetic zones or patterns of such configurations of magnetic zones for achieving uniform servo gain. There is one patent known to the applicants, however, that does refer to the use of the magnetic media for compensating servo gain variations. This is US patent 4,530,019. Here a code pattern, useful in providing data to a processing scheme to control the fine positioning of a transducer head of a disc drive unit, comprises an erased gap followed by an automatic gain control information code burst followed by a first burst of servo control information code followed by a second burst of servo control information code. Mechanical indexing is used in writing this code. Rotation of the disc is used as a primary time reference with all other time references being based on a transition between the erased gap and the automatic gain control burst. The servo control information bursts are written alternately off track by one half of the track separation between the track of interest and the next adjacent track to each side thereof. The pattern is decoded using a comparator circuit and an integrator. The decoded information being used to center the transducer over the track. Although the AGC information is stored on the disc it is only an automatic gain correction for that particular head and is not a servo code pattern which together with other servo code patterns in different tracks across the disc result in relatively uniform servo gain for that particular head at any location on the disc. US patent 4,588,636 is directed to a magnetic memory disc which has controlled magnetic characteristics in the radial direction achieved by controlling the thickness and composition of the magnetic layer which is formed on the disc. The procedure for forming such a disc coating is described in the Patent and involves an electroplating operation. Specific servo codes for achieving relatively uniform servo gain with a particular head at any location radially of the disc are not discussed. EP-A-0 097 208 discloses a head positioning system with automatic gain control but this system uses selected portions of three phase signals to produce a gain signal which is substantially independent of the width of a particular head. Disclosure of the Invention This invention, as defined by Claims 1 and 5, provides a new approach to servo gain compensation in a magnetic disc drive by providing write pattern and write width variations in servo code to minimize head-to-head and media dependent servo gain variations. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, multiple writing of a single magnetic transition or zone together with erasures of portions previously written transitions, using a specific head for writing of the servo code, is used to achieve servo code recordings which when read by the head used for recording results in minimum head-to-head and media induced servo gain variations. The write patterns may be single write (single stroke), exclamation or dash-dot write (exclamation sign), colon write (two dashes in a line), and dot-dash-dot write in a line. Write current, empirically determined, may also be varied, if needed, as the write head is moved across the disc to compensate the change in magnetic coupling between the head and the magnetic surface of the disc with the relatively uniform variation of the space between the head and the disc surface between the outer and inner tracks. This approach to servo gain control does not require external drive electronics as do the prior art arrangements discussed above. Using the approach of this invention, the servo gain does not depend upon head width. The heads have a wider, linear, track off center displacement range and all the heads can be made to overlap the same amount of servo code from the widest to the narrowest possible head within the manufacturing tolerance limitations. Head-to-head and head-to-track calibration and the determination of servo gain corrections are minimized, as are correction storage requirements on the disc or in external circuits together with circuits for addressing such corrections with each head and track selection. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1, is a plan view of a disc drive; Figures 2, 3 and 4 are side, bottom and rear views, respectively, of a typical magnetic transducer head. Figures 5, 6 and 7 illustrate differing servo code patterns, respectively. Figures 8 and 9 are servo code patterns written with wide and narrow heads, respectively, in which previously written magnetic transitions are trimmed using an off track head displacement determined from the narrowest head. Figures 10 and 11 are servo code patterns written with wide and narrow magnetic heads, respectively, exhibiting an overlapping code pattern, using only two head locations in writing, in which both magnetic heads, during reading, overlap the same amount of servo code and therefore have the same servo gain. Figure 12 illustrates a different way of formatting the servo code of Figure 11. Figures 13 and 14 illustrate the proportions of the servo code patterns based upon the dimensions of the widest and narrowest widths of a typical magnetic head, using the recording technique of Figures 10 and 11, respectively. Figures 15 and 16 are plots of voltages induced in the wide magnetic head and the narrow magnetic head of Figures 13 and 14 respectively, in off center positions on both sides of the track. Figure 17 is a position error signal plot for both of the heads. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention This invention is employed in a magnetic disc drive or file 1 which typically comprises a plurality of memory discs 2 which are axially spaced along a disc spin axis 3 in a parallel plane array. The disc surfaces are scanned by individual magnetic heads 4 which are used for writing and reading servo code and data code in concentric tracks. These heads are flexibly supported from one end of a movable head carriage 5, here shown as a rotary actuator, which moves the heads as a unit in an arcuate path over the disc surfaces. In operation the magnetic heads each literally fly above the adjacent surface of the spinning discs on the thin film of air clinging to the surface of each of the spinning discs. Such an arrangement is known in the art. Two phases of servo code 6 are recorded in bursts on the tracks in the data code fields 7 on the discs. The heads are individually, selectively connected in a servo loop for reading or writing, and position error signals from a head in scanning the servo code when reading are used by the servo for track centering the head. The two phases of servo code are designated A and B. The magnetic zone of phase A is recorded on one side of a track and the magnetic zone of phase B is recorded on the opposite side of that track. Phases A and B are circumferentially spaced within a cell as shown. All magnetic zones of phase A are aligned across the disc as are all of the magnetic zones of phase B. With a rotary actuator, alignment is along an arc described by the magnetic heads scanning the tracks. With a linear actuator, alignment is along a radius. The magnetic zones are recorded using recording fields called as the A field and the B field, hereinafter. Three types of magnetic heads are presently available for use in magnetic disc drives. These are known as the monolithic, the composite and the thin film magnetic heads. Each comprises a body having sliders for riding upon the disc surface at low disc surface speeds. The body carries a magnetic core having an air gap disposed adjacent the disc face. A coil inductively coupled to the magnetic core produces a magnetic field at the air gap which is used for writing servo and data codes. During reading, voltage is induced in the coil. As seen in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the magnetic head 4 comprises a body portion 12 and an electromagnetic device 13. The magnetic core of the electromagnetic device 13 may be an integral or separately attached part of the body 12. The bottom pole face 14 of the magnetic core (Figures 3 and 4) is of a width corresponding to the width of a magnetic zone. An air gap 15 is provided in the bottom pole face of the magnetic core. A coil 17 is wound about one leg of the magnetic core. The magnetic head is used for writing or for reading servo and data code on a magnetic disc surface. The bottom face of the body 12 at its lateral edges is provided with integral sliders 16 having smooth faces which engage the disc surface and ride the disc surface during disc spin up and spin down periods. In operation the magnetic heads each literally fly above the adjacent surface of the spinning discs. The surface speed of the disc varies between the outer and inner track radii being greater at the outer radius. Thus the head spacing from the disc surface on the slower moving air cushion at the inner radius is less than the head spacing from the disc surface at the outer radius. Figure 4 illustrates the magnetic head as viewed from the rear in a position spaced slightly above a magnetic disc 19 having magnetic zones or transitions 18. As seen in Figure 3, and in Figure 4, the magnetic core has a V-shaped bottom section, the flat bottom edge of which defines the pole face 14. The width of this pole face is approximately the width of, or slightly less than, the width of a track. When used for writing servo or data code, the coil 17 is energized in a manner to provide the magnetic field for recording the desired magnetic transitions or zones in the disc surface. The characteristics of the magnetic field at the air gap are well known and understood. The surface of the disc is uniformly magnetized in one direction. Writing, of the servo code involves establishing magnetic zones having leading and trailing edge transitions. The magnetic zones are of a magnetic polarity opposite that of the disc surface. Normally the coil 17 carries a constant current producing a constant magnetic field at the air gap 15 which is magnetically poled to correspond to the magnetization of the disc surface. Magnetic zones are written by changing the coil current in one sense at the leading edge transition and changing the coil current in an opposite sense at the trailing edge transition. The sense of these current changes being such as to produce the oppositely poled magnetic zones in the disc surface. Fringing flux at the side edges of the pole face 14 is a factor to be considered in such recording operations, as will be seen. Although magnetic heads are manufactured to close dimentional tolerances, there are dimentional differences among the heads. These dimentional differences result in head-to-head servo gain variations which require correction. The design width of a typical magnetic head may be 450 µ in. across the pole face. The tolerance in this dimension may be ± 75 µ in. The fringe magnetic field may add 100 µ in. Track to track spacing with such heads equals 650 µ in. With these dimensions, the width of the wide head equals 450 + 75 + 100 which equals 625 µ in. A narrow head has a width which equals 450 - 75 + 100 which equals 475 µ in. The difference in these width dimensions is 150 µ in., which is significant. The resulting servo gain variations from head width variations alone require correction. Servo Code Servo code patterns and methods of generating such patterns are described herein. These patterns are configured so that the wide and the narrow magnetic heads ideally overlap the same amount, or substantially the same amount, of servo code and thus exhibit the same or substantially the same servo gain when coupled in the servo loop. Figures 5, 6 and 7 illustrate servo code patterns having differently configured magnetic transitions or magnetic zones. In Figure 5 the opposite circumferentially spaced edges of the magnetic zones are defined by two dash lines. In Figure 6, the opposite circumferentially spaced edges of the magnetic zones are defined by the dot-dash lines, and, in Figure 7 the opposite circumferentially spaced edges of the magnetic zones are defined by the dot-dash-dot lines. Movement of a magnetic head 4 with respect to the surface of a disc having these servo code recordings, is represented by the arrows adjacent each of the figures. In Figure 6, a magnetic head is depicted by the rectangle 4. Its width corresponds closely to the width of a magnetic zone. The magnetic head 4 is shown in a track centered position. As the magnetic head 4 traverses the magnetic zones in Figure 6 in track centered position, the voltages induced in the coil in traversing each zone are equal. Thus the voltage difference, which is zero, indicates the magnetic head is track centered. If the magnetic head were displaced to the left or to the right as viewed, the voltage induced in the coil 17 would be greater as the head passes over that magnetic zone having the greater overlap of the head. The difference in the induced voltages now indicates the direction and the amount of track offset. The gaps in the lines defining the leading and trailing edges of the magnetic zones are the result of side erasures, due to the fringe fields, in writing the servo code. In developing the servo code, it is desirable to provide maximum overlap of the code by both the wide and magnetic heads. It is desirable to have the same overlap of the magnetic zones for both the wide and the narrow magnetic heads and to have a wide linear range of overlap in track offset positions. It is further desirable to avoid having side erasures in the magnetic zones near the outer edges of the magnetic heads as would be the case in Figure 5, for example, since this can result in a servo gain characteristic with the head on track center which tends to be erratic. Rather it is desired that side erasures be as near the track center as possible, as in Figure 6 or in Figure 7. The magnetic heads are less sensitive to side erasures when they are near the center of the magnetic head. It will be appreciated from reviewing these figures that the edges of the magnetic zones defining the track centers may be recorded that they overlap to some extent, in which case the track centers bisect the overlap. The width of the magnetic zones of course in this situation would be greater than that indicated to maintain the same track center line spacing, as will be described. In the situation where overlapping of the side edges of the magnetic zones exists, it will be apparent that the magnetic head 4, when track centered, will overlap equal parts of the magnetic zones. Servo Code Patterns Figures 8-14 illustrate servo code patterns and the following specification describes methods for writing such servo code patterns so that the servo gain is minimally affected by magnetic head width. Excepting for Figure 16, these figures are developed in pairs. One servo code pattern for a wide head and a second similar servo code pattern for a narrow head. In all of these figures, the surface of the disc is represented by the surface of the paper and is of one magnetic polarity. The rectangles show areas of the opposite magnetic polarity. These rectangles represent magnetic zones. For drawing convenience, the patterns of these magnetic zones have been drawn so that what is actually an arc of a circle on the disc appears as a straight line across the paper. Radial displacement from the center of the disc occurs along parallel lines between the top and bottom of the paper in these figures, rather than along radial or arcuate lines. The center of the circle for consistency is assumed to be at the bottom of each of the figures. The drawings are to be interpreted with these considerations. Relative head motion in scanning the surface of the disc in the individual tracks is from left to right as viewed. The surface of the disc is divided into magnetic cells. As described in connection with Figure 1, there are two phases of servo code in each cell. One is the A phase comprising the A magnetic zones and the other is the B phase comprising the B magnetic zones. These respective magnetic zones are written by what is termed an A field and a B field. These fields are identical and produce identical magnetic zones which are 180° apart in the period defined by each cell. Track center lines are identified as N, N+1, N+2, N+3, and so forth. Half line tracks are defined by the track center line identifications defining the half line track boundaries. For example, N, N+1; or N+1, N+2; and so forth. The head that is used to write the servo code on a disc surface is also used to read that servo code. The dimensions of the magnetic head used in writing the servo code in Figures 8 through 14 are arbitrary. However, the same dimensions for the wide heads as well as the narrow heads are used throughout these figures so that comparisons of the servo code patterns are easily made. Figures 13 and 14, however, use wide and narrow magnetic head dimensions for an actual magnetic head and therefore provide a representation of an actual servo code pattern for an actual track spacing when the servo code is written using the wide and the narrow heads, respectively. Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate servo code patterns in accordance with one embodiment of the invention for wide and narrow magnetic heads respectively. This embodiment minimizes the difference in servo gain between the wide head and the narrow head and provide a wider linear range of servo gain as a function of track offset of the magnetic heads. This is accomplished by a servo code pattern which is overlapped the same amount by the wide head and the narrow head. With this pattern the servo code overlap is the same for both heads in track centered position and remains the same in all track offset positions up to the point where one side of the magnetic head (Figure 8) no longer overlaps one of the A or B magnetic zones. This occurs in situations where there is a gap between the sides of the magnetic zones at the track center. The track spacings are the same for both the wide and narrow head. The requirement is that all heads when track centered desirably overlap the same amount or substantially the same amount of servo code as the narrowest possible head. If the center-to-center track spacing is assumed to be 10 units and the width of the narrowest head is assumed to be 6 units, then a track offset constant, where W n is the width of the narrow head, is used in locating the magnetic head. Thus, the track offset constant for recording this servo code pattern, expressed in the drawing units, is Δ =3. In recording this servo code pattern, provision is made to "trim" (by erasing) part of an earlier produced magnetic zone. This is accomplished with the head in the Δ = ± 3 position by switching head current to erase one magnetic zone and skip the other. The recording sequence for each track is as follows: 1. Write both magnetic zones A and B on one track center line, say the track center line N. 2. Using field A, write magnetic zones A and erase overlapping sections of magnetic zones B on the half line track N, N - 1 above the track center line N. 3. Move the magnetic head 3 units above the track center line N. Trim the magnetic zones B and skip the magnetic zones A. 4. Move the magnetic head 3 units below the track center line N. Trim the magnetic zones A and skip the magnetic zones B. Now move the magnetic head to the center line track N + 1. 1. Write both of the magnetic zones A and B on the track center line N + 1. 2. Move the magnetic head to the half line track N, N + 1. Write magnetic zones B and erase overlapping sections of the magnetic zones A. 3. Move the magnetic head to a position 3 units above the track center line N + 1 and trim the overlapping portions of the magnetic zones A, skipping the magnetic zones B. 4. Move the magnetic head to a position 3 units below the track center line N + 1 and trim or erase the overlapping sections of the magnetic zones B, skipping the magnetic zones A. This entire sequence is repeated continuing with N + 2 and repeating the sequence recited with respect to center line tracks N and N + 1. By using the writing head to trim the A and B magnetic zones, the wide and narrow heads as well as any of those in betweeen will overlap the same amount of servo code and, hence, have the same servo gain. In short, the head corrects for its own width. This is evident in Figures 8 and 9 which are drawn to the same scale. The unit of measurement is indicated in each of these figures. Track spacing in both cases is 10 units. The head width in Figure 12 is 8 units and the head unit within Figure 13 is 6 units. The side edges of the magnetic zones in Figure 12 with respect to center line track N, for example, are spaced one unit away from track center line. Thus, the magnetic head having a head width of 8 units overlaps 6 units of servo code in traversing the magnetic zones on track center. Also as the 8 unit magnetic head is displaced to the left or to the right of track center it always overlaps 6 units of servo code excepting in an extreme off center track position in which it no longer overlaps both the A and B magnetic zones. In Figure 9, the A and B magnetic zones have edges on the track center line N. Thus, the narrow magnetic head which is 6 units wide overlaps 6 units of servo code, both when track centered and when track off centered. Side erasures 15 appear in the servo code of Figure 9. As long as the magnetic head overlaps both of the side erasures, whether or not the head is track centered, servo gain is uniform. Only a slight variation in servo gain results when the head is offset from track center sufficiently to overlap only one of the side erasures 15. Referring back to Figure 8, the side erasures occurred at the edges of the magnetic zones A and B adjacent track center line N, N + 1 and so forth. In each instance the trimming operation removed the contiguous portions of the magnetic zones. Summarizing, head to head servo gain variation is minimized since each head overlaps the same amount of servo code. Additionally, there is a wide linear range of servo gain in track off center positions, since, again, the magnetic heads overlap the same amount of servo code. In writing the servo code of Figure 8 and 9, the magnetic head must be positioned at four different locations. In trimming the magnetic fields, as the head traverses the magnetic zones, current must be applied to the magnetic head for one magnetic zone location, for example, to trim the A field but not for trimming the magnetic zone B. the reverse is true when trimming the magnetic zones B. Figures 10 and 11, using a simpler servo writing technique than that of Figures 8 and 9, also provides a servo code pattern in which all of the heads overlap the same amount of servo code, and, hence, have the same servo gain. As in the previous figures, the same head that is used for writing the servo code is used for reading the servo code. The method for writing the servo code patterns of Figures 10 and 11 is as follows: 1. Write magnetic zones A and B on the center line track N. 2. On the half line track N, N - 1 erase the overlapping portions of magnetic zones A and write magnetic zones B. 3. Write magnetic zones A and B on center line track N + 1. 4. On the half line track N, N + 1 erase overlapping portions of magnetic zone B and write magnetic zone A. 5. Write magnetic zones A and B on center line track N + 2. 6. On the half line track N + 1, N + 2 erase the overlapping portion of magnetic zone A and write magnetic zone B. 7. Continue this sequence until all of the servo code tracks are written. In writing this servo code, only two magnetic head locations per track to be written are required. There is no requirement for write current gating, as in the trimming operations of Figures 12 and 13, and all of the track centers for wide and narrow heads are aligned. Figure 12 is an alternative servo code pattern based upon the servo code pattern of Figure 11. This is the servo code which is written by the narrow head. In this arrangement instead of alternating the magnetic fields which write the magnetic zones A and B, magnetic zones A are written and then magnetic zones B are written. Three such zones in each sequence are illustrated in Figure 11. The servo code overlap is the same as that in the previous Figure 10. Likewise the servo code seen by the narrow head during a reading operation is the same. Thus, the head to head variation in servo gain is also minimized with the offset. Figures 13 and 14 illustrate the servo code pattern of Figures 10 and 11 for wide and narrow heads in an actual application. The standard core width of a typical magnetic head is 450 µ in. core width. Tolerance is ± 75 µ in. The fringing field is 100 µ in. on this actual head. The track to track spacing equals 650 µ in. The wide head equals 450 + 75 + 100 = 625 µ in. The narrow head equals 450 - 75 + 100 = 475 µ in. The code pattern scale, 50 µ in., is indicated on the drawings. With a wide head, the servo code overlap between the magnetic zones A and B at the track center is about 25 µ in, thus the linear range in track offset positions of the wide magnetic head is ± 300 µ in. The narrow head is 475 µ in. wide, the magnetic zone overlap on the servo code at track center is 175 µ in. Thus with the narrow head, the linear range of servo gain in track offset positions is ± 150 µ in. Write current variations, in writing the magnetic zones in all of the servo code patterns described, may be employed in further minimizing servo gain variations. The required write current across the disc is empirically determined and used during writing of the servo code. One approach in making this empirical determination is to determine a range of write currents providing optimum servo gain for a distribution of available magnetic heads. The linear ranges of the magnetic fields as seen The linear ranges of the magnetic fields as seen by the wide and narrow magnetic heads of Figures 13 and 14 are plotted in figures 15 and 16 respectively. The scale used here is the same as that used in Figures 13 and 14. These plots are idealized. Actual voltages induced in the magnetic heads in the indicated track offset positions would be rounded in the upper corners of these plots. The position error signal plot is shown in Figure 17. This, too, is plotted to the same scale as Figures 13 and 14 and shows the position error signal for both the wide head and the narrow head. 1. The automatic gain control (AGC) is such that (A+B)*K = 10 volts. 2. Then the position error signal PES equals K*(A-B). Therefore, PES = 3. Servo gain is the first derivative, i.e., slope, of the position error signal (PES) with respect to position. In the expressions above, A and B represent the fields or voltages induced in the magnetic heads by the magnetic fields of the A and B magnetic zones in the servo code. The voltage plots in Figure 21 are idealized and assume that the AGC is operating over the voltage amplitude. The position error signals are superimposed for about 1/2 of the track offset position in each direction. Beyond this point, the signal plot of the narrow head shown in dotted line digresses from the signal plot of the wide head. However, this digression is slight, in most applications will not require external servo gain compensation circuits and is beyond the usual field of interest. In the interest of simplicity in describing this invention only two phases of servo code have been used. It will be appreciated, however, that the principles of this invention are equally applicable in developing patterns of more than two phases of servo code per track cell. Head-to-head variations in servo gain are minimized using servo code in which magnetic heads of differing widths overlap the same amount of servo code and servo gain variation as a function of track offset of the magnetic heads is minimized by maintaining the same overlap of the servo code by the magnetic head in differing track offset positions, within limits. Substantially constant servo gain exists in track offset positions of substantially one half of the track width in each direction of offset. Industrial Applicability These magnetic servo code patterns are useful in all magnetic disc drives.

Claims: A magnetic memory disc drive comprising: (a) a plurality of magnetic memory discs (2), each disc (2) having a surface of magnetic material on which are recorded radially disposed magnetic zones in servo code patterns (6) in a plurality of circumferential tracks; (b) means for rotating said discs (2); (c) a magnetic head assembly (5) including a plurality of individual magnetic heads (4) of differing widths, said assembly (5) enabling said heads (4) to move substantially radially and in unison over the surfaces of respective adjacent discs (2) for scanning across said tracks; characterised in that the individual heads (4) both record and read their own respective servo code patterns (6), and that said patterns (6) each comprise magnetic zones (A,B) having adjacent radial end portions which are relatively radially disposed with respect to track centre and with regard to head width, so as to enable each head (4) to overlap substantially the same amount of the magnetic zones (A,B) when scanning along said tracks, at least in a track centred position, whereby variations in servo gain between said heads (4) is minimised. A magnetic disc memory drive according to Claim 1 in which said magnetic zones (A,B) are recorded in A and B fields, the zones (A) in said A field being displaced from the zones (B) in said B field in the direction of disc rotation and the spacing of the adjacent radial end portions of the magnetic zones (A,B) in the A and B fields, in the radial direction increasing as the head width increases. A magnetic disc memory drive according to Claim 1 in which said magnetic zones (A,B) are recorded in alternating A and B fields, the zones (A) in said A field being displaced from the zones (B) in said B field in the direction of disc rotation, and the end portions of the magnetic zones (A,B) in the A and B fields, in the radial direction, overlapping by a decreasing amount as the head width increases. A magnetic disc memory drive according to Claim 1 in which a plurality of said magnetic zones (A) comprise a first group and a plurality of said magnetic zones (B) comprise a second group and are recorded in A and B fields on said disc, adjacent radial end portions of the magnetic zones (A,B) in the A and B fields defining a track centre therebetween, said adjacent end portions in the radial direction overlapping by a decreasing amount as the head width increases. A magnetic disc memory drive according to Claim 1 in which a plurality of consecutive magnetic zones (A) comprise a first group and a plurality of consecutive magnetic zones (B) comprise a second group in respective A and B fields on said disc (Fig. 16), adjacent radial end portions of the magnetic zones (A,B) in the A and B fields, define a track centre therebetween, and said adjacent radial end portions are spaced from said track centre an amount in relation to the width of the head thereat so that each head overlaps substantially the same amount of magnetic zone, at least in a track centered position. A method of recording servo code patterns (6) on a plurality of magnetic memory discs (2), each having a surface of magnetic material, in which method a writing current is supplied to each of a plurality of individual magnetic heads (5), during disc rotation, in order to record respective servo code patterns (6) as magnetic zones (A,B) on the surfaces of the respective adjacent discs (4), said heads (4) having differing widths, said zones (A,B) extending in a plurality of circumferential tracks on said discs (2), and each head (4) being moved in unison with the other heads (4) substantially radially of its respective disc (2) in order to scan across the tracks; the method being characterised by using each head (4) to erase end portions of recorded magnetic zones (A,B) that it has previously recorded so that the remainders of the magnetic zones (A,B) have adjacent radial end portions which are relatively radially disposed, with regard to head width, thereby enabling each head (2) to overlap substantially the same amount of the magnetic zones (A,B) when scanning along said tracks to read the servo code patterns, whereby variations in servo gain between said heads (4) is minimised. A method according to Claim 6 wherein the magnetic zones (A,B) are recorded in alternating A and B fields, the zones (A) in said A field being displaced from zones (B) in said B field in the direction of disc rotation, and the spacing of the adjacent end portion of the magnetic zones (A,B) in the A and B fields, in the radial direction increasing as the head width increases. A method according to Claim 6 in which said magnetic zones (A,B) are recorded in A and B fields, the zones (A) in said A field being displaced from zones (B) in said B field in the direction of disc rotation, and the adjacent radial end portions of the magnetic zones (A,B) in the A and B fields, in the radial direction overlapping by a decreasing amount as the head width increases. A method according to Claim 6 in which said magnetic zones are recorded in alternating groups in the A and B fields (Fig. 16), and the adjacent radial end portions of the magnetic zones (A,B) in the A and B fields, in the radial direction of the disc overlapping by a decreasing amount as the head width increases. A method according to any one of Claims 6-9 in which the value of the writing current is empirically determined for a particular distribution of magnetic heads (4) in order to optimise magnetic zone (A,B) recording for minimising said variations in servo gain between said heads (4).

Inventors: JACKSON, BRUCE J., KNOWLES, VERNON L., WILCOX, ROGER V.
Applicants: HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY
Application year: 1987
Main classification: G11B5
IPC codes: G11B5, G11B21