Data Storage Products Overview

Reducing Costs, While Improving Performance
in Data Storage Applications

MicroE Systems has more than a decade of experience designing and manufacturing critical components and Ultra-precision positioning systems for the data storage industry. Today we supply these components to the majority of hard disk drive (HDD) manufacturers around the world.

Our early successes were achieved based on our breakthrough sub-nanometer encoder designs. These designs were created to replace bulky laser interferometers used in hard drive servotrack writing. By replacing the laser interferomerter, hard drive manufacturers were able to reduce production system costs ten fold, while doubling productivity.


Left: MicroE Systems' sub-nanometer encoder. Right: MicroE Systems' positioning system

Our next innovation was targeted at improving the speed and accuracy of the primary measurement loop in the servotrack writer application. The solution was an ultra-high-performance positioning system with extremely with fast seek and settle times. Designed to drive the servotrack writer head, the system was engineered for speed and stiffness. The actuator produced high torque through a stiff bearing/shaft assembly and achieved 4.68 nanoradian resolution. The positioner delivered fast, solid motion with sufficient resolution for HDD track densities in excess of 500k tpi. Today, the chances are very high that the drive in your PC, Tivo or other appliance was made using MicroE Systems' equipment.

Systems for Media Writing and Other Applications

MicroE Systems continues to develop innovative products as the data storage industry moves toward direct media writing. Our MP 7000 is one solution that addresses this opportunity. It is an ultra-high precision system, similar to our servotrack writer positioners, the difference being that the MP 7000 was scaled up for multi-disk media writing applications.


MicroE Systems' multi-disk media writing system, the MP 7000.

MicroE Systems has also developed an alternative to traditional magnetic clock technology. It is an optical clock that offers a number of important benefits. To begin, it eliminates the inevitable magnetic head crash, thereby improving yield while also eliminating periodic maintenance.


Components of MicroE Systems' optical clock system.

The optical clock also requires no space above the media unlike traditional high-bandwidth magnetic clock technologies. This will enable manufacturers to increase track density and HDD capacity in future generation designs. In addition, our optical clock is compatible with all magnetic media, including new high-performance coatings. Finally, the optical clock can provide direct feedback for velocity control of the air-bearing spindle. It therefore serves multiple functions and can save valuable real estate in equipment designs.