Glossary

Actuator

The internal part of the drive that moves the read/write element from one location to another. Today's hard disk drives are equipped with voice-coil actuators (VCA) that are much faster than the previously used step motor. A typical drive's VCA consists of a rotary voice coil and the element-mounting arm. As current is applied to the rotor, it rotates at frequencies of 50 Hz or more, positioning the heads over the desired cylinder on the media.

Access time
See [Average access time]
Adaptive Battery Life Extender

A technology used in mobile hard disk drives to reduce power consumption by approximately 20 percent. It is accomplished by adapting power mode transitions based on the access patterns of individual users, rather than ...

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