Method operating hard disk drive on the basis of predicted defect using hierarchical clustering and curve fit

摘要

A method of operating a hard disk drive (HDD) on the basis of a predicted new defect in a disk associated with the HDD is disclosed. The method includes detecting defects in a magnetic surface of the disk, defining a plurality of clusters by grouping the detected defects using a hierarchical clustering algorithm, calculating a curve fit for each one of the plurality of clusters, predicting a new defect likely to occur in the magnetic surface of the disk on the basis of the calculated curve fit; and writing data to the disk on the basis of the new defect prediction.