Modern Harddisk Design

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Today, magnetic Hard Disk Drives in the computer and server infrastructure can store many Terabytes raw Data, currently up to 16-32 TB each 3,5″-drive, 2,5″-drives even less about 6 TB. The storage capacity is typically limited by the physical structure size of the media, or the particle density. Classic Hard Disk Drives store data within microscopic magnetical structures called “grains”, by magnetizising them. By using smaller grain size structures in each new disk generation, manufacturers e.g. like SEAGATE®, WESTERN DIGITAL®, TOSHIBA® are able to store more data on given physical space, but there are some limits, depending on special parameters, like the number of platters, the physical size of the read/write head or the coating material which is used for the disk platter’s media surface. So every new generation of Hard Disk Drives needs new smart physical and technical concepts to enhance storage capacity, and development and production costs are always a large cost factor.

The new idea of developement.tech goes some steps further to enhance capacity in a dramatic way – we store data in two dimensions: additionally vertical in a logic bit array and not only in raw linear horizontal direction. Explained in simple words this is done by using different magnetization levels or strengths for each “raw bit”, and this is realized in both directions of the magnetic field (North/South), so that it is possible to apply a logic byte for each different level. A raw bit now does not contain only one bit; it’s capacity of storing data words depends only by the level of different magnetization curves/levels/strengths which can be written by the Hard Drives equipment.

It is the same principle like it is used for electronic chip based Solid State Disks, SSDs, which are standard for computers since several years, now, when it competes to performance AND capacity. SSDs are currently faster in read/write speed, but the concept of developement.tech is able to top fastest SSDs if it is realized in a concrete product !

While a Solid State Disk storage chip stores it’s information in different voltage levels, the concept of developement.tech stores information in different magnetization levels, but still on a rotating disk, which will give us some advantages. Physically and logically, it’s development and it’s technical solution is much more simple than the construction of even smaller read/write heads with every new generation of grain size.

If the media, controller and head equipment of the disk are able to magnetisize the media’s surface particles in 16 different steps, we can store in each step up to 4 logic bits than only 1. So the ability to use the raw disk’s capacity is 4 times higher than the classic technique is able to store. At developement.tech we call that technique

Logical Vertex Data Modulation

Magnetization Level Byte (Word)

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Level 1 = 0000 (0)

Level 2 = 0001 (1)

Level 3 = 0011 (2)

…

Level 14 = 1101 (13)

Level 15 = 1110 (14)

Level 16 = 1111 (15)

and so on.

The multiple combination of steps allows usual word lengths of e.g. 64-bit, 128-bit, 4096K or any other geometry which is used by the Hard Disk’s Controller. It is simple and efficient. The optional,  additional Servo-Information which is stored “virtually” in the direction of the magnetic field at the same time could be used e.g. for the equipment’s controller to navigate over the disk. The possibilities for Servo are endless and just a question of the engineer’s creativity. It is also allowed to use non-magnetizsised areas for special purposes.

The following figure explains the concept in a graphic way ->