- Seagate prototypes obtain 7TB per platter, the best density for HDD analysis
- Ten-platter drives allow experimental HDDs to achieve 70TB whole capability
- HAMR makes use of localized heating to put in writing knowledge on smaller magnetic bits
Seagate Know-how has introduced plans to commercialize a 3.5-inch HDD with a complete storage capability of 70TB.
This follows research-level prototypes attaining 7TB per platter, the best areal density reported for an HDD prototype.
The corporate introduced these outcomes at a symposium organized by the Japan HDD Affiliation and a seminar hosted by the Nationwide Institute for Supplies Science.
Know-how behind ultra-high capability
The prototype drives depend on a mixture of heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) and shingled magnetic recording (SMR).
HAMR makes use of localized heating to put in writing knowledge on smaller magnetic bits, whereas SMR partially overlaps tracks to extend storage density.
These improvements construct on perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR), which has been used for roughly 20 years to enhance areal density however is now reaching sensible limits.
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Extra supporting applied sciences embody granular ferromagnets comprised of iron-platinum, glass substrates for platters, and multi-sensor magnetic heads with two learn heads.
Collectively, these improvements permit prototypes to achieve densities close to 8TB per platter, with projections suggesting as much as 10TB per platter as soon as HAMR and SMR are absolutely optimized.
Seagate’s improvement roadmap reveals regular enhancements in platter density over the previous decade.
Capacities elevated from 3TB per platter in 2018 to 6TB in 2024, largely pushed by successive generations of HAMR know-how.
On the identical time, growing the variety of platters in high-capacity drives has contributed to whole storage development.
Ten-platter drives at the moment are frequent for experimental ultra-high capability HDDs, positioning them to develop into the biggest HDDs commercially out there by the late 2020s.
Combining these improvements with optimized learn/write applied sciences additionally makes these drives among the many quickest HDDs at present in improvement.
HAMR know-how has steadily elevated areal density from 1.3 Tbit/sq inch in 2017 to three.7 Tbit/sq inch by the primary half of 2025 when mixed with SMR.
Projections point out that 10TB per platter drives are theoretically possible inside just a few years.
Past that time, attaining 15TB per platter would require breakthroughs corresponding to full bit-patterned media to isolate magnetic bits utterly.
Seagate’s analysis signifies a practical, though nonetheless experimental, path towards the most effective HDDs when it comes to capability.
Whereas 70TB drives might now seem achievable by late 2025 or early 2026, the timeline for commercially out there 10TB per platter drives stays unsure.
By way of PC Watch (initially in Japanese)
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