Disk drive with variable track density

摘要

A method of manufacturing a disk drive is disclosed in which servo information is written in tracks on a disk surface, the track width performance of the associated read/write transducer is measured, the track width performance is analyzed and a data track pitch is established. Based on the data track pitch established, a track location formula for data tracks on the surface is defined. For a disk drive with a plurality of read/write transducer-media surface combinations, a track location formula for data tracks is established for each combination. Disclosed is a method of measuring a track width performance of a read/write transducer which includes the steps of writing a first test pattern having a first waveform with the read/write transducer at location t on the surface of a magnetic medium, reading the first test pattern and measuring an error rate of the signal, followed by moving the read/write transducer in a first direction a predetermined distance from location t and writing a second test pattern comprised of a waveform different than the first waveform, moving the read/write transducer in a second direction to a position distance d from location t and writing a third test pattern comprised of a waveform different to the first test pattern. The first test pattern is read at location t and the error rate of the signal is measured. A disk drive including a disk having a first magnetic surface, a first read/write transducer associated with the first magnetic surface for reading and writing data in tracks in a plurality of zones each zone having a read/write frequency, a first load beam for supporting and positioning the first read/write transducer at a plurality of locations above the surface of the magnetic media as disclosed and the drives produced utilizing the steps of writing servo information in tracks on the surface at a track pitch, followed by measuring a track width performance of the read/write transducer and establishing a track pitch for data tracks as a function of the measured track width performance.