Servo Writing Technology

Technical Specifications - Details

Xyratex Servo Writer SolutionServo Track Writing

  • Fully vibration tested
  • Auto clamp mechanism
  • High performance position servo system
  • Optional non-contact optical positioner
  • Short process time
  • Fully programmable via GUI
  • Remote diagnosis and reporting
  • Software can be fully integrated with factory system

The Xyratex Servo Writer is the solution for future generations of disk drive designs. It features high performance positioner technology and pattern generation together with a very compact rack mounted configuration. The rack mounting design includes a unique vibration isolation system. The nine cells operate independently and the packaging allows a density of over 16 servowriter cells per square metre, making the very best use of cleanroom floor space.

The positioning system is carefully designed to achieve very short move and settle times, and with Xyratex’s latest Xtreme 400 architecture, pattern generation of up to 400Mbit/sec is possible. Complete programmability permits a wide range of spindle speed, number of ‘T’ states and sectors.

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Optical ClockOptical Clock

  • Accurate – 25 ps 1 sigma jitter
  • Flexible – contiguous selection of clock cycles per rev
  • Repeatable – eliminates clock head variability
  • Reliable – eliminates clock head replacement
  • Stable – dynamic compensation for encoder errors and mounting eccentricity
  • Configurable – multi-encoder support via daughter board option

Xyratex is strengthening its Servo Writing Technology by introducing a high performance Optical Clock function to its product offerings. This technology combines a high sensitivity optical encoder with an intelligent interpolator (Patent Pending - US patent application number 60/695,845) which provides any desired frequency with dynamic run-out correction. The board architecture comprises a common main board with an encoder specific daughter board which enables the use of a wide range of optical encoders and upgrade without the cost of full replacement. The Optical clock will integrate seamlessly into the Xtreme 400 range of products or operate independently by providing a clock source locked to the magnetic disk.

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Servo Writer SoftwareServo Writer Software

  • Flexible open architecture allowing custom DLLs
  • Visual servo pattern development language
  • Hierarchical parameter description files
  • Configurable interface definition files
  • User configurable sequence scripts
  • Interactive debug GUI
  • Tools for integration with factory systems

To get the most value from its servo writing technology, Xyratex has developed a comprehensive suite of software tools designed to provide high levels of flexibility and ease of integration into your existing factory systems and processes. The suite includes a servo pattern creation language, servo pattern visualizer tool, configuration files, debug facilities and factory integration tool.

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Pattern Generator Card

Xtreme 400, Xyratex’s latest pattern generation architecture, is setting a new standard for the most demanding servo writing applications. The new pattern generator (together with its companion channel card) provides new levels of accuracy and precision, and capable of producing pattern frequencies up to 400Mbit/sec.

  • Pattern Frequencies to 400Mbit/sec Fs (200MHz written)
  • Clock Track Advanced Digital Phase Lock Loop (ADPLL) and verify logic
  • Clock Track Writer with user defined index pattern Pattern Generator Card
  • Multiple 4Mbit Open Architecture Pattern Buffers
  • Dynamically Configurable Pattern Encoder
  • Fully programmable clock writer/verifier
  • Flexible open architecture for maximum configurability and ease of integration
  • SRAM Based FPGA Pattern Generator Core to allow easy field upgradeability
  • Bank and Staggered head writing
  • Index or early pattern writing
  • On-the-Fly Processing Capability – embedded and user configurable 32 bit Nios DSP soft core for the generation of on the fly gray code schemes. This processing capability off-loads housekeeping and memory updates from the host PC, making the pattern generator a self-contained and configurable pattern generation engine. The Nios soft core in conjunction with the high speed general purpose pattern card bus interface can directly interface into 3rd party cards taking away host intensive requirements, such as positioner auto movement and head parametric analysis on the companion channel card. The Xtreme 400 architecture can support multiple Nios soft core processors working in cooperation to meet demanding customer requirements

The open architecture design offers complete programmability to support a wide range of spindle speeds, number of 'T' states and sectors, and its industry standard AT interface simplifies integration. A head parametrics option allows head measurements to be taken at the first point the drive is integrated. These can be used to support detailed quality audits throughout the manufacturing process.

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Motor Driver & Interlocks Card (MDIC)Motor Driver & Interlocks Card

  • Precision Trapezoidal Spindle Motor Controller with Positive Spin Logic
  • Customizable Options including Sine Wave Drive, Interfaces and Form Factor
  • Programmable Electrical and Pneumatic Functions Interface
  • Programmable Sequencing and Interlocks Capability
  • Continuous Monitoring of Power Supply Voltage
  • Custom Power Supply

The Xyratex Motor Driver & Interlocks Card is part of a range of high-performance servo writing components. It has a flexible and open architecture, which can be configured to control a variety of I/O devices including pneumatics and additional system boards.

The integrated spindle controller with positive spin logic, is fully programmable and provides excellent speed stability up to 20,000 rpm. These functions are controlled by an on-board DSP, which runs its own multi-tasking schedule. This allows all processes to run simultaneously achieving higher performance.

All interlock functions and voltage measurements are continuously monitored by the system to ensure correct synchronization and protect servo writing performance in the event of a fault condition.

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