Software-based floppy disc data separator

[Fred Cisin]

On Wed, 16 Jun 2010, Philip Pemberton wrote:
> It's currently taking ~45 seconds to scan and decode 160 tracks (80
> track disc, both sides). It'd be nice to get that down by, say, half.

The rotational speed is 300 RPM (unless you modify the drive)
The heads only operate one at a time (unless you modify the drive).
You can only do one cylinder at a time (unless you modify the drive).

You have a minimum of 160 revolutions of the spindle at 300 RPM, PLUS
a minimum of 79 step (and settle) times.
What would be your theoretical maximum speed (unless you modify the
drive)?


Hmmm.  Howzbout: a drive that spins at least 600 RPM, and has a lot of
heads, each head having its own "logic board"?
With 4 heads on each side, you'd only need 20 revolutions.