Self-servo writing a disk drive by propagating interleaved sets of timing clocks and servo bursts during alternate time intervals

Abstract

The present invention may be regarded as a self-servo writing disk drive comprising a head having a read element radially offset from a write element. During a first time interval, the read element is positioned over a first radial location to read first A clock data to generate first circumferential timing information and first A servo bursts to generate first position control information. The first position control information is used for positioning the write element over a second radial location, and the first circumferential timing information is used for writing second B clock data and second B servo bursts to the second radial location. During a second time interval, the read element is positioned over the first radial location to read first B clock data to generate second circumferential timing information and first B servo bursts to generate second position control information. The second position control information is used for positioning the write element over the second radial location, and the second circumferential timing information is used for writing second A clock data and second A servo bursts to the second radial location.