Overlapping processing of data tracks

A method comprising:

• receiving a read signal for a first data track of a plurality of data tracks on a storage medium, wherein the first data track includes a first plurality of data sectors and error correction data for the first plurality of data sectors;
• receiving a read signal for a second data track of the plurality of data tracks, wherein:
• the second data track includes a second plurality of data sectors and error correction data for the second plurality of data sectors;
• the second data track is different than the first data track;
• and
• the read signal for the second data track is received after the read signal for the first data track;
• processing, during a first track read operation period and using error correction codes, the first plurality of data sectors and the error correction data for the first plurality of data sectors to attempt to decode the first plurality of data sectors;
• and
• processing, during a second track read operation period following the first track read operation period and using the error correction codes:
• the second plurality of data sectors and the error correction data for the second plurality of data sectors to attempt to decode the second plurality of data sectors;
• and
• a portion of the first plurality of data sectors and the error correction data read during the first track read operation for the first plurality of data sectors to continue to attempt to decode the first plurality of data sectors.

A data storage device comprising:

• a storage medium comprising a plurality of data tracks;
• means for receiving a read signal for a first data track of a plurality of data tracks on a storage medium, wherein the first data track includes a first plurality of data sectors and error correction data for the first plurality of data sectors;
• means for receiving a read signal for a second data track of the plurality of data tracks, wherein:
• the second data track includes a second plurality of data sectors and error correction data for the second plurality of data sectors;
• the second data track is different than the first data track;
• and
• the read signal for the second data track is received after the read signal for the first data track;
• means for processing, during a first track read operation period and using error correction codes, the first plurality of data sectors and the error correction data for the first plurality of data sectors to attempt to decode the first plurality of data sectors;
• and
• means for processing, during a second track read operation period following the first track read operation period and using the error correction codes:
• the second plurality of data sectors and the error correction data for the second plurality of data sectors to attempt to decode the second plurality of data sectors;
• and
• a portion of the first plurality of data sectors and the error correction data read during the first track read operation for the first plurality of data sectors to continue to attempt to decode the first plurality of data sectors.

A data storage device, comprising:

• a storage medium comprising a plurality of data tracks;
• a channel circuit configured to:
• receive a read signal for a first data track of the plurality of data tracks, wherein the first data track includes a first plurality of data sectors;
• receive a read signal for a second data track of the plurality of data tracks, wherein:
• the second data track includes a second plurality of data sectors;
• the second data track is different than the first data track;
• and
• the read signal for the second data track is received after the read signal for the first data track;
• process, during a first track read operation period, the first plurality of data sectors using error correction codes;
• and
• process, during a second track read operation period following the first track read operation period, the second plurality of data sectors and a portion of the first plurality of data sectors using the error correction codes;
• and
• a servo controller configured to controllably position a read head over the plurality of data tracks on the storage medium, wherein:
• the plurality of data tracks is configured as continuous data tracks having a track length shorter than an integer number of revolutions;
• and
• the channel circuit is further configured to selectively cause the servo controller to skew the read head to maintain the read head on a prior data track for a next revolution for additional processing time.