Method and apparatus for minimizing seek time in a disk drive by increasing power amplifier power based on power amplifier voltage head room

摘要

A system for minimizing seek time in a disk drive having a power amplifier for controlling a servo actuator. The system includes at least one output terminal of the power amplifier connected to a processor for detecting and calculating a head room voltage for the power amplifier for seek operations, the head room voltage indicative of a margin of power available for controlling seek operations. A preferred method includes calculating a head room voltage for the power amplifier by detecting a saturation value of the amplifier during an acceleration phase in a first seek direction, and detecting an output voltage during a deceleration phase for a second seek operation in an opposite direction. The method further includes adjusting power to the power amplifier on a next seek operation based on the head room voltage calculated, such that at least some of the margin of power available identified by the head room voltage is used on the next seek operation for reducing seek time.