Track seek method utilizing an ideal signal

摘要

A track seek method for a disk drive system. In the seek method of the present invention, the head is moved according to the characteristics of an ideal, electronically generated signal which is independent from data read off the disk. By varying the characteristics of the ideal signal, the seek profile is controlled. The ideal signal is sampled at times specified by an error signal which is based upon data read off the disk. The movement of the head is adjusted according to the sampled signal. Since track crossings correspond to ideal signal cycles, the number of tracks crossed is determined by counting the number of cycles of the ideal signal. Consequently, the position of the head is known at all times throughout the seek, thereby maintaining the seek in a closed-loop configuration during the entire seek. When the appropriate number of tracks have been counted, the head is stopped on the destination track and the head can access data contained therein. Furthermore, the seek operation's dynamic range may be increased by extending the range of each cycle of the ideal signal to cover more than one track.