Application of a novel anti-windup scheme to a HDD-dual-stage actuator

A novel discrete anti-windup technique is applied to a dual-stage actuator of an experimental hard disk drive (HDD) system. It is shown that this anti-windup technique can improve performance and retain stability of the dual-stage servo-system when the secondary actuator control signal saturates at its allowable design limits. Global stability is achieved despite saturation of both, the secondary actuator and the voice-coil-motor (VCM) actuator. The main contribution of the paper is the application of a theoretically sound anti-windup technique to an industrially relevant servo-system.