Data storage device with write caching for maximizing disk access during laser diode steady state

A method comprising:

• maintaining respective measures of write commands associated with respective ones of shingled magnetic recording (SMR) zones defined in a data storage device, wherein data associated with the write commands is stored in a write cache associated with the data storage device;
• selecting one of the SMR zones based on the respective measures;
• performing a pre-heat operation of a laser diode included in a head associated with the selected one of the SMR zones;
• and
• performing a continuous write operation in the selected one of the SMR zones following the pre-heat operation, wherein the continuous write operation writes at least a portion of data stored in the write cache associated with the selected one of the SMR zones,
• wherein the maintaining, the selecting, the performing the pre-heat operation, and the performing the continuous write operation are performed by one or more processing devices individually or in combination.

One or more processing devices comprising, individually or in combination:

• means for maintaining respective measures of write commands associated with respective ones of shingled magnetic recording (SMR) zones defined in a data storage device, wherein data associated with the write commands is stored in a write cache associated with the data storage device;
• means for selecting one of the SMR zones based on the respective measures;
• means for performing a pre-heat operation of a laser diode included in a head associated with the selected one of the SMR zones;
• and
• means for performing a continuous write operation in the selected one of the SMR zones following the pre-heat operation, wherein the continuous write operation writes at least a portion of data stored in the write cache associated with the selected one of the SMR zones.