Microfile-a one-inch disk drive technology demonstration

摘要

As the areal data density in magnetic storage continues to grow atna rapid pace (~50%/yr), small form factor disk drives becomenincreasingly viable. For certain applications, such as cameras orncommunication devices, where storage capacity requirements are lown(~50-200 MB), and where small size, low power consumption and high shocknresistance are important, very small disk drives may prove attractive,nespecially given the current and projected cost differential betweennmagnetic storage and semiconductor storage. As a joint effort betweennIBM Research and IBM Storage Systems Division, a technologyndemonstration of a miniature disk drive, called Microfile, has beenncompleted. The Microfile has a single 24 mm disk and two MR heads, withna capacity, using 1996 head/disk technology, of 100 MB. The majority ofnthe mechanical components are miniature versions of conventionalndesigns; however several key components-suspension, flex cable, andnactuator coil-have been integrated into a single planar suspensionnassembly. The sliders have a modified air bearing design to accommodatenthe relatively low linear velocity. A novel simplified host interfacen(IEEE P1285) is a low cost option under consideration for use in systemsnwith limited requirements. Functional mechanical prototypes have beennconstructed, and magnetic read/write capability has been demonstrated.nAspects of the Microfile design and fabrication are described