What are perpendicular units?

6 Vertical storage allows ten times the data capacity increase while maintaining data integrity. To increase the drive capacity, the bits were reduced to suit more data. However, when the bit density becomes too large, the magnetic particles begin to interfere with each other, causing the bits to "turn" or reverse orientation. This is referred to as Super Para-Magnetic effect and results in corrupt or lost data.

To overcome this density barrier, perpendicular units use slightly stronger plates designed to store "built -in" data bits vertically . The head floats above the plate and creates a magnetic field that rests the data bits to the "up" or "down" orientation.

For a gross comparison, imagine a library with a single layer of books laid flat, end-end via the shelf. This is the way traditional plates hold data bits. Now build books vertically and press them on one side and you can attack many other books on the shelfi the same size. This is the basic principle of perpendicular discs.

Because perpendicular units can maintain much more data on the plate, they are well suitable for mobile devices such as laptops and portable sound players. As an example, Hitachi points out that the 6-Gigabyte micro Drive used in MP3 plays about 3,000 songs. Using perpendicular technology, the unit could hold 30,000 songs. Industry initiates say the price of discs will continue to decline despite the new technology. Perpendicular units should be smaller for gigabyte than the same size standard drive, because the cost of the material is reduced when more data is suitable for fewer plates.

Toshiba was the first manufacturer in the market for perpendicular driving Hnavemes in August 2005. Followed by Hitachi, while Seagate, Fujitsu and other manufacturers also release perpendicular units. The initial product is focused on laptops and electronic devices, but soon budOU follow general use of perpendicular units. Hitachi allegedly plans to release 1-Terebyt units in 2007