Robust track following in Hard Disk Drives with time delays: An infinite dimensional approach

Due to the existence of various sources of delays, the dynamical model of HDD (Hard Disk Drive) servo systems is actually infinite dimensional, although most of the existing algorithms simplified the model with Padé expansions or other finite dimensional approximations. In this paper, a robust loop shaping algorithm is developed for high accuracy track following of HDD servo systems with delays by using an H∞ synthesis approach for infinite dimensional systems. The H∞ controller is derived with a structure of an internal feedback loop including an FIR (Finite Impulse Response) filter and a first order IIR (Infinite Impulse Response) filter, which facilitates stable implementations. Digital implementation of the proposed control structure is further investigated by incorporating H∞ based sampled-data FIR filter design and approximation. Comparisons to other robust control methods are given, and the advantages of the proposed algorithm are demonstrated in terms of tracking TPI (Track-per-Inch) capability and transient responses using HDD factory measurement data.