Disk drive configuring one-dimensional and two-dimensional recording areas based on read element spacing

Abstract

A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk comprising a plurality of tracks, and a head comprising a first read element and a second read element. A spacing of the first and second read elements is measured, and based on the measured spacing, the tracks are grouped into radial bands that define at least one one-dimensional recording area on the disk and at least one two-dimensional recording area on the disk. When the head is within a first two-dimensional recording area, data recorded on the disk is detected by processing a first read signal generated by the first read element and by processing a second read signal generated by the second read element using a two-dimensional demodulation algorithm. When the head is within a first one-dimensional recording area, data recorded on the disk is detected by processing the first read signal using a one-dimensional demodulation algorithm.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.