A new positioning method for higher track density hard disk using embossed-servo-mark magnetic disks is proposed. An embossed-servo-mark medium with grooved-guard-band data tracks for 208 TPMM was developed using molded plastic substrate. The marks were magnetized so that conventional magnetic head can reproduce position signals. Simple analogy from optical disk track following to magnetic disk track following was taken and examined. A DSP controlled feed-forward servo was introduced to resolve the inherent eccentricity caused by mounting preformed tracks onto an independent spindle axis. The prototype drives with a form factor of 2.5 inches were designed introducing the disks, the servo scheme and the newly developed orthogonal MR head. As a result, an areal density of 650 kbits/mm2 (about 420 Mbits/in2) recording was successfully demonstrated on the media using 2.5-inch form factor prototype drives.

Embossed disks with discrete magnetic tracks and servo marks are proposed and evaluated. The tracks and the servo marks are made by etching the glass substrate. The guard band depth was decided to be 0.2 µm. Using the disks, the head positioning accuracy of 0.09µm (rms) and the recording density of 192 tracks per millimeter were demonstrated.