Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080198503 | AUTO-SERVO TAPE SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED RECORDING HEAD - A recording head comprises a first tape-head contact area including a first write element and a first read element, which itself may include an MR sensor element. The first read element is laterally offset as to the first write element, and no portion of the first read element lies in a region laterally overlapped by the first write element. A second tape-head contact area includes a second write element and a second read element, which also may include an MR sensor element. The second read element is laterally offset as to the second write element, and no portion of the second read element lies in a region laterally overlapped by the second write element. The first read and write elements of the first tape-head contact area are aligned with the second write and read elements of the second tape-head contact area so that an end portion of the second write element lies in a region that laterally overlaps only an end portion of the first write element. Data track widths less than one micron are achievable with this head design. | 08-21-2008 |
20080239559 | SERVO WRITING AND DECODING POSITION ERROR SIGNAL FOR LINEAR TAPE DRIVES - The present invention, in particular embodiments, is directed to methods, apparatuses and systems that facilitate recording of servo signals on a recording medium such as magnetic tape with high accuracy. Variation of inter-frame and intra-frame placement is substantially reduced by writing successive frames or sub-frames based on a detection of a previously-written frame or sub-frame by a read element. Appropriate placement of the read element in relation to servo write elements, on a multi-gap servo write head, ensures the correct placement of subsequent frames on the recording medium. | 10-02-2008 |
20080259490 | MAGNETIC TAPE DRIVING APPARATUS - A magnetic tape driving apparatus of the present invention includes a support member for separating a magnetic tape from a magnetic head on at least one of a tape input side and a tape output side of the magnetic head. The support member separates the magnetic tape from the magnetic head at least when a tape driving portion causes the magnetic tape to start running and/or to stop running. With this configuration, the magnetic tape driving apparatus does not suffer from damage to the magnetic head and the magnetic tape when the magnetic tape makes a transition from the stopped state to the running state and vice versa or changes in the running direction. | 10-23-2008 |
20080273258 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DECONVOLUTION OF MULTIPLE DATA TRACKS - A method for reading a magnetic medium having a data band thereon, the data band comprising a plurality of simultaneously written tracks. The method includes receiving signals from a plurality of adjacent readers simultaneously reading data tracks, wherein at least some of the readers that are currently reading overlie adjacent data tracks such that the reader generates signals from the adjacent data tracks; receiving a signal from at least one reader reading an alignment band; for at least each reader overlying adjacent data tracks, determining a fractional overlap of the reader relative to the underlying adjacent data tracks based on the signal from the reader reading the alignment band; and extracting data from readback of the data tracks based at least in part on the determined fractional overlaps of the readers relative to the adjacent data tracks thereunder. | 11-06-2008 |
20080278844 | SERVO CONTROLLING METHOD, RECORDING/REPRODUCING APPARATUS, MAGNETIC TAPE, AND MAGNETIC TAPE CARTRIDGE - A servo controlling method of the present invention is a servo controlling method for controlling a position of a magnetic head against a magnetic tape that is accommodated in a cartridge and has at least a data track and a servo track, and the method includes the steps of: reading tape variance information from a magnetic tape cartridge | 11-13-2008 |
20080285171 | SERVO SIGNAL RECORDING APPARATUS, SERVO SIGNAL RECORDING METHOD, AND MAGNETIC TAPE - A servo signal recording apparatus and servo-signal recording method for recording a servo signal on a magnetic tape that includes a magnetic layer having a data area capable of storing data and a servo area capable of storing a servo signal, the apparatus including a transportation unit for transporting the magnetic tape; a DC erasing unit on a downstream side in a magnetic tape transportation direction that performs DC erasure to a surface layer portion of the magnetic layer by magnetization in a longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape; and a servo signal recording unit on a downstream side of the DC erasing unit in the magnetic tape transportation direction, that rubs against the magnetic layer of the magnetic tape, and records a servo signal in the servo area by magnetization in a direction opposite to a direction of the magnetization of the DC erasing unit. | 11-20-2008 |
20090002877 | MEDIA PRESERVATION FOR INFORMATION TRANSDUCING DRIVE - An information transducing drive performs information transducing operations with respect to transducable media. In an example embodiment the drive comprises an information transducer ( | 01-01-2009 |
20090021856 | DIFFERENTIAL TIMING BASED SERVO PATTERN FOR MAGNETIC-BASED STORAGE MEDIA - A magnetic storage media includes a magnetic first-pole polarity initialized servo track segment and a magnetic second-pole polarity differential timing based servo pattern recorded on the magnetic first-pole polarity initialized servo track segment. The magnetic second-pole polarity differential timing based servo pattern represents magnetic encoded servo position information for facilitating a determination of a servo position error signal exclusive of noise. | 01-22-2009 |
20090027803 | High Areal Density Tape Head - A tape head designed for transducing data on a magnetic recording tape that is subject to tape dimensional changes. The tape head includes two or more arrays of transducer elements having different transducer spacing distances corresponding to different track spacing distances to be transduced. One of the transducer arrays may be used for transducing the tape under nominal tape track spacing conditions. Another transducer array may be used for transducing the tape when the tape track spacing is reduced due to the tape shrinkage. Still another transducer array may be used for transducing the tape when the tape track spacing is enlarged due to tape expansion. | 01-29-2009 |
20090073603 | TAPE HEADS FOR USE WITH MULTIPLE TAPE FORMATS - A magnetic head according to one embodiment includes an array of elements, the elements being selected from a group consisting of data readers, data writers, and combinations thereof, wherein a first subset of the elements is operable for reading or writing data in a first tape format, wherein a second subset of the elements is operable for reading or writing data in a second tape format, at least some of the elements being present in both subsets, wherein a spacing of servo bands on a tape written in the first format is different than a spacing of servo bands on a tape written in the second format. | 03-19-2009 |
20090073604 | Distributed servo patterns for data storage media - The invention is directed to a data storage medium that includes a plurality of servo bands distributed across the data storage medium and a plurality of data tracks positioned between each of the plurality of distributed servo bands. The data storage medium comprises a servo band pitch of less than 200 micrometers. The large number of servo bands distributed across the data storage medium with a relatively small servo band pitch reduces the influence of media dimensional instability. In this way, the invention may substantially increase data read head positioning accuracy, especially in the case of narrow track widths. A read head array arranged in a two-dimensional matrix that includes a first servo read head, a second servo read head, and a plurality of data read heads positioned between the first and second servo read heads may be applied to a data storage medium as described herein. | 03-19-2009 |
20090080108 | METHOD FOR WRITING A SERVO PATTERN IN TAPE - A tape has a component of magnetization pointing out of a plane of the tape. To write a pulse of a servo pattern to the tape, the tape is passed over a write head with a conventional write gap. Current having a fixed polarity is provided to the write head. Once the current achieves a desired value, the current is no longer provided to the write head. | 03-26-2009 |
20090103205 | Apparatus, Method and Program for Controlling Writing of Data by Tape Recording Apparatus - A technique for improving the performance of head alignment during reading of data from and writing data to a tape medium. An apparatus controls writing of data by a tape drive that drives a tape medium in both forward and reverse directions to record data. The apparatus includes a position obtaining unit that obtains the current position of the head of the tape drive with respect to the tape medium, a determining unit that determines whether the current position of the head is within a predetermined range on the tape medium, a generating unit that generates dummy data in response to determination that the current position of the head is not within the predetermined range, and a write control unit that writes dummy data on the tape medium until the current position of the head is within the predetermined range on the tape medium. | 04-23-2009 |
20090109566 | MAGNETIC TAPE - A magnetic tape of the present invention includes a plurality of data bands in which a data signal can be recorded and servo pattern portions composed of a burst signal. The servo pattern portions are formed at a predetermined interval in a longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape in a plurality of data bands, and positions of the servo pattern portions formed in the respective data bands in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape vary. According to such a configuration, a magnetic tape can be provided, which is traced stably by the magnetic head even if the magnetic tape is deformed due to temperature and humidity. | 04-30-2009 |
20090116140 | SYSTEM FOR ADJUSTING MISALIGNMENT BETWEEN A READ/WRITE HEAD AND A FLEXIBLE DATA STORAGE MEDIA - A system for adjusting misalignment between a read/write head and a flexible data storage media is provided. The system includes a head carriage assembly, a linear assembly that includes a pivot member pivotably supporting the head carriage assembly, and a magnetic, assembly coupled to the head carriage assembly. Current is applied to the magnetic assembly for dynamically positioning the head carriage assembly relative to a direction of media movement across the head carriage assembly. A first current is applied to the magnetic assembly for track following of media moving across the head carriage assembly. A second current is applied to the magnetic assembly for dynamically rotationally positioning the head carriage assembly to compensate for skew of flexible media moving across the head carriage assembly. | 05-07-2009 |
20090128949 | HEAD APPARATUS, DRIVE APPARATUS, AND TRACKING METHOD - A head apparatus includes: a head unit where a plurality of magnetic elements, which carry out reproducing and/or recording on data tracks on a magnetic tape, are disposed at equal intervals on a first straight line; a moving mechanism that moves the head unit; and a controller that carries out tracking control to cause the moving mechanism to move the head unit and keep the magnetic elements on the data tracks. The moving mechanism can rotate the head unit so as to increase or decrease an angle between a second straight line along a width of the magnetic tape and the first straight line. During tracking control, the controller causes the moving mechanism to rotate the head unit so as to increase or decrease the angle in accordance with changes in an interval between the data tracks and keep the respective magnetic elements on the respective data tracks. | 05-21-2009 |
20090161249 | MAGNETIC TAPE, MAGNETIC TAPE APPARATUS, SERVO PATTERN RECORDING APPARATUS, MAGNETIC TAPE PRODUCING METHOD, AND MAGNETIC TAPE RECORDING METHOD - Provided is a magnetic tape that includes a data band, including servo patterns, data, and a guard space. The servo patterns is formed along a longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape with an interval provided between each of the servo patterns, each of the servo patterns formed across a full width of the data band. The data is disposed between the servo patterns. The guard space is disposed between each of the servo patterns and the data. | 06-25-2009 |
20090174963 | TAPE-BASED DATA STORAGE SYSTEM AND HEAD ENABLING COMPOUNDED READING RATE - A tape-based data storage system according to one embodiment comprises a head having at least two modules, each of the modules having an array of readers and writers, wherein at least some of the writers in a first of the modules are aligned with at least some of the readers in a second of the modules in a direction parallel to a direction of tape travel relative to the head, wherein at least some of the readers in the first module are offset laterally from the readers in the second module in a direction perpendicular to the direction of tape travel relative to the head, such that in a first readback mode, the readers from the first and second modules simultaneously read unique tracks on a tape. | 07-09-2009 |
20090174964 | SERVO CHANNEL FOR TAPE DRIVE SYSTEMS - Provided are techniques for synchronous servo channel for a data tape drive. A servo reader is configured to read servo bursts from a data tape. An anti-aliasing filter is operable to output a bandlimited signal and is coupled to receive a servo channel signal comprising servo bursts from the servo reader. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is operable to output signal samples and is coupled to receive the bandlimited signal from the anti-aliasing filter. An interpolation and control unit is operable to output interpolated signal samples and control signals, has a first input coupled to receive the signal samples from the ADC, and has a second input coupled to receive the correlation signal samples from the dibit correlator. A dibit correlator is operable to output correlation signal samples and is coupled to receive the interpolated signal samples and control signals from the interpolation and control unit. | 07-09-2009 |
20090190250 | Robust LPOS Detection With Predictor and Bit Verifier - A tape drive system which includes the ability to reliably reproduce LPOS information even if both of the servo channels of the tape drive system could not detect the LPOS information due to defects. The system recognizes that an LPOS sequence is sequentially incremented by one if a tape is moving in a forward direction and decremented by one if the tape is moving in a backward direction. This sequential property of the LPOS information lends itself to LPOS prediction, where the LPOS prediction is the previous LPOS value plus one if the tape is moving forward and the previous LPOS value minus one if the tape is moving backward. Even if the LPOS words from the two servo channels are both bad, but not all of the bits in the LPOS word are bad. The system uses the remaining good bits from the two servo channels to verify all of the bits of the LPOS prediction word. | 07-30-2009 |
20090201603 | MOVING MAGNET ACTUATION OF TAPE HEAD - In one embodiment, a tape read/write head supported by a lever is biased in a first position, using magnetic attraction between a magnet supported by the lever, and a return path structure of magnetically permeable material. In the illustrated embodiment, the magnet centers itself, in the absence of a coil generated magnetic field, in the middle of a gap of the magnetic return path structure. In one aspect, the mass of the read/write head and one side of the lever may be balanced by the mass of the magnet and the other side of the lever. The lever and hence the tape read/write head carried by the lever, may be pivoted by conducting current through a coil to generate a magnetic field which is conducted by the return path structure to interact with the magnetic field of the magnet. As a consequence, the lever pivots on a pivot axis as a function of the magnitude and direction of the current through the coil. The face of the magnet may be divided into portions of opposite magnetic polarity to facilitate a relatively pure torque to be developed substantially without a net force. Other embodiments are described and claimed. | 08-13-2009 |
20090201604 | BALANCED LINKAGE ACTUATION OF TAPE HEAD - In one embodiment, first and second levers of a tape head actuator are balanced using first and second masses carried on first and second sides, respectively, of the first and second levers. The first and second levers are linked with a link member of the first mass which further includes a tape read/write head supported by the link member. In the illustrated embodiment, the levers are linked by the pivotally connected link members to form a four member linkage. The tape read/write head may be carried by the link member. Other embodiments are described and claimed. | 08-13-2009 |
20090213488 | METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING THE EFFECTS OF TAPE DIMENSIONAL STABILITY - A method, system, apparatus, and computer readable medium storing instructions for recording data tracks and a method and system for reading data tracks. For recording data tracks, virtual boundary of a first data track recorded on the storage medium is determined. The recording element is positioned based on the determined virtual boundary of the first track and a second data track is recorded by the positioned recording element. For reading data tracks, a first virtual boundary of a first data track and a second virtual boundary of the first data track are determined and a reading element is positioned at a center of the first data track based on the determined virtual boundaries. In the system of reading recorded data tracks, a number of forward reading elements and backward reading elements are provided. The forward reading elements have different pitches. | 08-27-2009 |
20090213489 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SERVO STRIPE WIDTH DETECTION AND COMPENSATION - A method and system for servo stripe width detection and compensation including moving a magnetic tape in a first direction across a magnetic tape head, the magnetic tape having a servo band including a first servo pattern and a second servo pattern, the magnetic tape head having a servo element; detecting a leading edge and a trailing edge of the first servo pattern with the servo element; detecting a leading edge and a trailing edge of the second servo pattern with the servo element; determining a first time from the leading edge of the first servo pattern to the leading edge of the second servo pattern; determining a second time from the trailing edge of the first servo pattern to the trailing edge of the second servo pattern; and determining a correction value from a difference between the first time and the second time. | 08-27-2009 |
20090219648 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR LIMITING FRAME SPACING ERROR DURING TIMING-BASED SERVO PATTERN FABRICATION - An apparatus, system and method to limit frame spacing error during timing-based servo pattern fabrication. An apparatus in accordance with the invention may include a first servo write head to simultaneously write servo stripes onto a first servo frame of a magnetic tape, and a second servo write head to simultaneously write servo stripes onto a successive servo frame of the magnetic tape. The first and second servo write heads may write the stripes substantially concurrently to minimize spacing error between the frames. | 09-03-2009 |
20090237833 | MAGNETIC TAPE APPARATUS USING PERPENDICULAR MAGNETIC RECORDING - Provided is a magnetic tape apparatus using perpendicular magnetic recording, which has the function corresponding to an soft-magnetic under layer with sufficiently large thickness and enables the magnetic tape to maintain life sufficiently. This magnetic tape apparatus comprises: a tape head comprising at least one write head element for perpendicular magnetic recording; and a soft-magnetic capstan belt having a surface contact with the magnetic tape and pressing the magnetic tape to the tape head at least during recording, for controlling running speed of the magnetic tape by causing the magnetic tape to run together with the soft-magnetic capstan belt. Further it is preferable that at least two capstan-belt axes are further provided, and the soft-magnetic capstan belt is a loop running among the at least two capstan-belt axes. | 09-24-2009 |
20090262452 | MULTICHANNEL TIME BASED SERVO TAPE MEDIA - A thin film magnetic recording head is fabricated by forming a substrate from opposing ferrite blocks which have a ceramic member bonded between them. This structure is then diced to form a plurality of columns, wherein each column has a ferrite/ceramic combination. Each column represents a single channel in the completed head. A block of ceramic is then cut to match the columned structure and the two are bonded together. The bonded structure is then cut or ground until a head is formed, having ceramic disposed between each channel. A ferrite back-gap is then added to each channel, minimizing the reluctance of the flux path. The thin film is patterned on the head to optimize various channel configurations. | 10-22-2009 |
20090279201 | JOINT SPECIFICATION OF SERVO FORMAT AND SERVO READER PARAMETERS FOR TAPE DRIVE SYSTEMS - A servo pattern, including stripes arranged in servo bursts for use in position error signal (PES) generation, is provided in which a stripe width is narrower than 1.7 μm and in which the stripes are oriented at an azimuth angle which in absolute value is equal to or larger than 6 degrees. | 11-12-2009 |
20090279202 | HEAD DESIGN FOR WRITING SERVO PATTERNS ON MAGNETIC TAPE - A servo write head is provided and is configured to simultaneously write at least two servo patterns in respective servo bands on linear magnetic tape. Centerlines of the servo patterns are substantially uniformly spaced in the lateral direction. In addition, the servo patterns of all adjacent respective servo bands are displaced relative to each other in a longitudinal direction by an amount that is related to a length of a servo frame and a type of the servo patterns. | 11-12-2009 |
20090296267 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR WRITING DATA ONTO TAPE MEDIUM - In a controller of a tape drive, when a command processing unit receives a Write FM | 12-03-2009 |
20090296268 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING TRAVELING OF TAPE - A system and method for controlling the traveling of a tape is provided. The system and method include passing data in a buffer to a channel input/output unit for writing the data to a tape. Once the data is written to the tape, a determining unit determines whether or not to perform backhitchless writing. If backhitchless writing is to be performed, then a speed determining unit determines a tape speed, where the time of data transfer from a host to the buffer is less than the time of data writing from the buffer to the tape. Thereafter, an operation signal output unit instructs a motor driver to change the speed of the tape to the determined tape speed after a backhitch is performed is a speculative FM. | 12-03-2009 |
20090296269 | SERVO SIGNAL RECORDING APPARATUS, INFORMATION RECORDING APPARATUS, AND TRACKING SERVO METHOD - In the apparatus and method of the invention, a servo signal reproduction unit generates a PES from a servo signal reproduced from a magnetic tape, and a frequency conversion unit performs FFT processing of the PES to generate frequency component information. Then, a filter value generation unit generates filter values based on the frequency component information and writes these to a memory. When recording various data signals to the magnetic tape, the filter values are read from the memory and a control filter serving as a notch filter is incorporated into a feedback control for a tracking servo. This enables periodic and narrow-band noise to be removed from a PES, consequently reducing PESs. Accordingly, learning-type optimum notch filter control that allows a magnetic head to follow recording tracks at high speed and with high precision is possible even when the recording track width is reduced and the tape speed is increased. | 12-03-2009 |
20090303633 | Same Wrap Backhitchless Write Method to Encode Data on a Tape Storage Medium - A method to write information to a tape storage medium by disposing a tape storage medium in a tape drive apparatus comprising a write head. The method moves the tape storage medium in a first direction, writes data from a buffer to the tape storage medium, and thereby empties the buffer while the tape storage medium is moving in the first direction. The method determines, while the tape storage medium is moving in the first direction, whether to enable a backhitchless write wherein the tape storage medium is not stopped and moved in a second and opposition direction, prior to writing new data to the tape storage medium. By not stopping the movement of the tape storage medium, and by not moving the tape storage medium in a reverse direction to reposition the write head, the method eliminates the time overhead required to stop the tape and reposition the tape head. Applicants' method achieves this time efficiency without adverse impact to the nominal storage capacity of the tape information medium. | 12-10-2009 |
20090310251 | INFORMATION RECORDING APPARATUS - The information recording apparatus of the present invention includes N servo heads. Servo signals outputted respectively from the servo heads are delayed by a delay circuit such that the peaks of the waveforms of the servo signals coincide with each other. The delayed servo signals are added up by an adder. Thus, the output level of the servo signal can be increased by N times and the S/N ratio of the servo signal can be also increased by √N times. As a result, the precision of PES improves and the amount of off-track can be reduced. Therefore, even if a magnetic layer in magnetic tape has a small thickness, it is possible to prevent the decline of the output level of the servo signal and the S/N ratio. | 12-17-2009 |
20100014188 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPROACHING A PREDETERMINED POSITION OF A CARRIER BELT WHICH MOVES IN ONE MOVEMENT DIRECTION - The invention relates to a method for moving to a predetermined position of a carrier tape | 01-21-2010 |
20100014189 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR READING OUT DATA RECORDED ON TAPE - An apparatus and method for reading out data recoded on a tape with a read head is provided. A command processing unit receives a request for reading out old data behind EOD of new data. A channel input/output unit receives, data read out with a read head and a buffer managing unit receives this data. A header information determining unit determines whether this data includes header information of the old data. If it is determined that this data includes the header information of the old data, a data set determining unit determines whether a data set is extractable from this data. If it is determined that data set is not extractable, a move signal output unit outputs a signal for moving the read head in a direction of the new data. | 01-21-2010 |
20100053801 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING DATA RECORDED ON A TAPE MEDIUM - A device and method are disclosed for processing data recorded on a tape medium. The device comprises a first control part controls a read head to read specific data recorded in a first area among data recorded in a first format on the tape medium. The device further comprises a second control part that controls a write head to write the specific data in a second area different from the first area of the tape medium and to write the specific data in a second format in a third area different from the second area of the tape medium. Moreover, the device may comprise a recording part for recording specific information that specifies a read position of other data among data recorded in the first format on the tape medium. | 03-04-2010 |
20100079905 | Method And Apparatus For Determining Position Of A Storage Medium - A system and method for determining the value of a longitudinal position (“LPOS”) bit of a storage medium. A system comprises a selector that selects a value for a longitudinal position (“LPOS”) bit from a plurality of possible values derived from LPOS information read from a storage medium. A quality determiner that determines a quality value for each of a plurality of LPOS values derived from the LPOS information. The selection of the value for the LPOS bit is based, at least in part, on the quality values. | 04-01-2010 |
20100118435 | MAGNETIC HEAD WITH PLANAR OUTRIGGER - A magnetic head according to one embodiment includes a substrate having a tape bearing surface; a plurality of elements coupled to the substrate and positioned towards the first tape bearing surface, the elements being selected from a group consisting of readers, writers, and combinations thereof; and an outrigger held in a fixed position relative to the substrate, the outrigger having a tape bearing surface; wherein the outrigger tape bearing surface and the substrate tape bearing surface lie along planes, the planes being offset from one another. | 05-13-2010 |
20100177433 | POSITION SIGNAL PROCESSOR - In one embodiment a tape drive system comprises a reel adapted to engage a tape cartridge, the tape cartridge comprising a tape media having a servo code written along a length of the tape media, a tape head comprising at least one servo element to detect the servo code, a drive assembly to induce relative motion between the tape and the tape drive, a servo system to control the lateral and longitudinal motion between the tape and the tape head, the servo system comprising a sampling circuit assembly to sample servo data from the tape media, wherein the sampling circuit assembly samples both positive readback waveforms and negative readback waveforms generated by servo code on the tape, a pulse time demodulator circuit module to generate timestamped, digital signals from signals generated by the sampling circuit assembly, and a position signal processor to calculate a position signal using the servo data from the pulse time demodulator circuit module. | 07-15-2010 |
20100177434 | POSITION SIGNAL PROCESSOR - In one embodiment a tape drive system comprises a reel adapted to engage a tape cartridge, the tape cartridge comprising a tape media having a servo code written along a length of the tape media, a tape head comprising at least one servo element to detect the servo code, a drive assembly to induce relative motion between the tape and the tape drive, a servo system to control the lateral and longitudinal motion between the tape and the tape head, the servo system comprising a sampling module to sample servo data from the tape media, and a position signal processor to calculate a position signal using the servo data from the sampling module, wherein the position signal processor calculates a position signal based on each adjacent servo element set. | 07-15-2010 |
20100177435 | SERVO PATTERN ARCHITECTURE TO UNCOUPLE POSITION ERROR DETERMINATION FROM LINEAR POSITION INFORMATION - A sequential data storage medium, such as for example and without limitation a magnetic tape, comprising a plurality of servo patterns encoded in a non-data region, wherein each of said servo patterns comprises a first subframe comprising 10 pulses, a second subframe comprising 8 pulses, and a third subframe comprising (N) pulses, wherein (N) is greater than or equal to 0. The first subframe and the second subframe do not encode any linear position (“LPOS”) data. The third subframe encodes up to (N) LPOS bits. | 07-15-2010 |
20100177436 | APPARATUS AND METHOD TO TRANSFER DATA TO AND FROM A SEQUENTIAL INFORMATION STORAGE MEDIUM - A sequential information storage medium, comprising a plurality of servo patterns encoded lengthwise thereon, wherein each servo pattern encodes at least one LPOS bit and comprises a width less than 187 microns. | 07-15-2010 |
20100177437 | Method for Bipolar Trailing Edge Timing-Based Servo Track Recording and Magnetic Tape Made Therewith - The present disclosure relates to the minimization of servo format transition bit length of magnetic recording media. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to bi-polar and trailing edge recording when formatting the servo track of magnetic recording media. In one embodiment, magnetic media having a timing-based pattern is written using a bi-polar energized recording head. In some embodiments, the magnetic media may be AC or DC erased. The recording head may include a plurality of independent recording channels, each of which may be magnetically energized individually. The bi-polar energized state of the recording head may be controlled to vary the bit length and bit sequence within the timing-based pattern. In further embodiments, the magnetic media may include both uni-polar and bi-polar transitions. | 07-15-2010 |
20100214688 | DUAL ACTUATOR FOR A READ-WRITE DATA STORAGE DEVICE - A data storage device includes a first head module independently moveably mounted relative to the storage device. The first head module includes at least one of a read element and a write element. In addition, the data storage device includes a second head module independently moveably mounted relative to the storage device. The second head module includes at least one of a read element and a write element operatively associated with the at least one of a read element and write element of the first head module. The second head module is selectively shiftable relative to the first head module in order to align the at least one of the read element and the write element of the first head module and the at least one of the read element and the write element of the second head module to one another. | 08-26-2010 |
20100214689 | DEVICE AND STRUCTURE FOR REDUCING TAPE MOTION AND STATIC FRICTION - A tape mounting apparatus for a magnetic tape data storage device which includes a movable structure movably attached to a base. The movable structure moves partially within the base and is powered by a motor unit. The moveable structure has at least a load position and a transport position. A tape guide device is positioned within the movable structure such that a tape passes over the tape guide device and between a tape reading head and the tape guide device. The base is attached to a body of a magnetic tape data storage drive. | 08-26-2010 |
20100214690 | ROLLER GUIDE FOR MAGNETIC TAPE WITH MULTIPLE GUIDING SECTIONS - A device for guiding a magnetic tape in a data storage drive including a cylindrical body rotatable about a longitudinal axis. The cylindrical body having opposing ends and defining a surface area for mating with a magnetic tape. A curved section at opposite ends of the cylindrical body is contiguous with the surface area of the cylindrical body. A plurality of vents in the cylindrical body allow air flow therethrough between the surface area and the tape. The amount of air flow between the cylindrical body and the tape produces varying frictional forces on the tape such that the tape is biased to a nominal position on the cylindrical body by air pressure on the tape resulting from the air flow interaction with the curved sections. | 08-26-2010 |
20100220410 | TAPE ARCHITECTURE AND A HEAD ARCHITECTURE FOR A LINEAR TAPE DRIVE HAVING A REDUCED ACTUATOR STROKE - A tape architecture and a head architecture for a linear tape drive having a reduced actuator stroke is disclosed. In one embodiment, the linear tape drive head assembly includes a top portion having a plurality of write elements and no read elements at a first side and a plurality of read elements and no write elements at a second side opposite of the first side, and a bottom portion laterally offset from the top portion having a plurality of read elements and no write elements at the aforementioned first side and a plurality of write elements and no read elements at the aforementioned second side. The tape is recorded with all the data tracks within each logical band oriented in the same direction. | 09-02-2010 |
20100226039 | COMBINING INFORMATION FROM PARALLEL SERVO CHANNELS - A weighted combining scheme exploits information from two servo channels operating in parallel. A timing-based servo module comprises two synchronous servo channels coupled respectively to receive two digital servo signals read from a data tape. Both channels have outputs for an unweighted parameter estimate and for a measure of the channel reliability. A weight computation module provides first and second weight signals using the measures of channel reliability from the servo channels. An offset computation module provides first and second offset terms which are summed with the unweighted parameter estimates. Multiplying nodes receive the unweighted parameter estimates and the weight signals and outputs offset weighted parameter estimates. A summing node receives the offset weighted parameter estimates and outputs a combined offset weighted parameter estimate to a servomechanism. | 09-09-2010 |
20100246057 | SERVO WRITER PROVIDING A PRE-WRITING, LONGITUDINAL MAGNETIC BIAS IN A MAGNETICALLY UNORIENTED TAPE SUPPLY - A servo writing method is provided for use with unoriented magnetic tape media. A biasing zone is formed, such as between a pair of permanent block or disk magnets, with a strong DC magnetic field that is substantially free of perpendicular components. The method includes feeding the tape through the magnetic biasing zone to form a longitudinal magnetic bias in the magnetic layer of the tape media. The method includes using a write head to write a servo pattern on the tape media after the forming of the longitudinal magnetic bias in the tape media, and the servo pattern produces an output that is substantially symmetric with high amplitudes. In one embodiment, the biasing zone is formed or defined as the gap between first and second magnetic assemblies oriented with a single direction of magnetization, such as in the same direction as the tape travel through the biasing zone. | 09-30-2010 |
20100302677 | APPARATUS AND METHOD TO ADJUST THE POSITIONS OF A WRITE ELEMENT AND READ ELEMENT DISPOSED ON A READ/WRITE HEAD - A method to adjust the positions of a write element and read element disposed on a read/write head comprising a first assembly independently moveable along a first axis and comprising a first servo element, a second servo element, and the write element disposed between the first servo element and the second servo element and a second assembly independently moveable along the first axis and comprising a third servo element, a fourth servo element, and the read element disposed between the third servo element and the fourth servo element. The method moves a sequential information storage medium adjacent to the read/write head along a second axis, wherein the second axis is substantially orthogonal to the first axis, and determines a dynamic skew for the sequential information storage medium with respect to the read/write head using the first servo element and the second servo element. The method then positions the first assembly with respect to the second assembly to correct for that dynamic skew angle. | 12-02-2010 |
20100315740 | APPARATUS AND METHOD TO ROTATE A READ/WRITE HEAD - A method is presented to rotate a read/write head rotatable along a first axis and comprising a first assembly having a first servo element and a second servo element. The method moves a sequential information storage medium adjacent to the read/write head along a second axis, wherein the second axis is substantially orthogonal to the first axis, and determines the rotation angle for the read/write head with respect to the sequential information storage medium using the first servo element and the second servo element. The method then positions the read/write head with respect to the second axis based upon the rotation angle. | 12-16-2010 |
20100328814 | CONTROL APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING APPARATUS AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM - A control apparatus connectable to a memory unit for storing data, for controlling a first tape writing unit including a plurality of first tapes and a second tape writing unit including a plurality of second tapes so that the first and second writing units write same data stored in the memory unit to one of the first tapes and one of the second tapes, respectively, has an obtaining unit for obtaining a progress value indicating a progress of writing data into the one of the second tapes upon completely writing the data into one of the first tapes and a controller for controlling the first and the second tape writing units so that the first and the second writing unit change the writing tapes to another of the first tapes and another of second tapes when the progress value being not more than a predetermined value. | 12-30-2010 |
20110002065 | RECORDING HEADS WITH EMBEDDED TAPE GUIDES AND MAGNETIC MEDIA MADE BY SUCH RECORDING HEADS - The present disclosure relates to apparatus and methods for recording heads with tape guides, including embedded tape guides. In one embodiment a magnetic recording head includes a contour modified to include a tape guide. The tape guide may include compliant or non-compliant edge guides. In another embodiment, a magnetic recording head includes a contour configured to impart a lateral force on the surface of tape streaming over the head. The head may include air-bleed slots, air skiving edges, non-symmetrical head surfaces, specific contour topographies, negative pressure elements, or any combination thereof. The streaming tape may be held referenced against the a tape guide by the lateral force. In a further embodiment, the present disclosure relates to magnetic tape wherein the written-in lateral tape motion is substantially eliminated. | 01-06-2011 |
20110007418 | COMBINING INFORMATION FROM PARALLEL SERVO CHANNELS - A weighted combining scheme exploits information from two servo channels operating in parallel. A timing-based servo module comprises two synchronous servo channels coupled respectively to receive two digital servo signals read from a data tape. Both channels have outputs for an unweighted parameter estimate and for a measure of the channel reliability. A weight computation module provides first and second weight signals using the measures of channel reliability from the servo channels. An offset computation module provides first and second offset terms which are summed with the unweighted parameter estimates. Multiplying nodes receive the unweighted parameter estimates and the weight signals and outputs offset weighted parameter estimates. A summing node receives the offset weighted parameter estimates and outputs a combined offset weighted parameter estimate to a servomechanism. | 01-13-2011 |
20110013313 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO SET A WRAP ANGLE OF A READ/WRITE HEAD - A method is presented for setting a wrap angle of a read/write head having a servo element and multiple read elements, where the servo element and the read elements can detect a servo signal. The method includes moving a sequential information storage medium having a longitudinal axis and a servo band encoded therein adjacent to the read/write head. The longitudinal axis and a flat upper surface of the read write head define the wrap angle. The method further includes detecting the servo signal using one of the read elements. If the read element is unable to detect the servo signal, then the remaining read elements are sensed to detect the servo signal. | 01-20-2011 |
20110043945 | SERVOMECHANISM WITH ADJUSTABLE PREDICTOR FILTER - A digital control system, and in particular a tape drive system having a track-following servomechanism with a predictor (also referred to herein as a predictor filter), is described. In certain embodiments, the servomechanism includes an actuator, a servo channel, and a predictor coupled to the servo channel. The predictor receives from the servo channel a lateral position estimate signal and determines a modified lateral position estimate signal that reduces a difference, introduced by a tape velocity-dependent delay, e.g., introduced by the servo channel, between the modified lateral position estimate signal and an actual lateral position. The modified lateral position estimate may be used to modify a control signal sent to the actuator. | 02-24-2011 |
20110051283 | Method To Minimize The Effects Of Tape Skew And Tape Dimensional Stability - A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for performing data write and data read operations on a tape storage medium. A dual head/tape actuator assembly, comprising two head/tape actuator assemblies, is implemented to perform data write and data read operations on a tape medium. Each of the head/tape actuator assemblies comprises a set of data writer elements and a set of data reader elements. During data write operations, the data writer elements on one head/tape actuator assembly are used to write data to a tape medium and the data reader elements on the other head/tape actuator assembly are used to read the data from the tape medium. During read operations, half of the data readers on one head/tape actuator assembly are used to read data from half of the written data tracks on the tape medium and half of the data readers on the other head/tape actuator assembly are used to read the other half of the written tracks. | 03-03-2011 |
20110075293 | Coatings For Tape Guides - A guide for guiding a magnetic data storage tape has a curved support portion for supporting a major tape surface and at least one flange adjoining the support portion. At least in a region of transition between the support portion and the at least one flange, the guide has an under coating of a diamond like carbon material, tungsten carbide, or similarly wear resistant material, and a surface coating having lower surface tension than the under coating. A tape guide apparatus and a method of making a tape guide are also disclosed. | 03-31-2011 |
20110102937 | POSITIONING COARSE SERVO ACTUATOR OF TAPE SERVO SYSTEM TO ALLOW FINE SERVO ACTUATOR TO FOLLOW TAPE SHIFT EXCURSIONS - Methods, servo systems, and data storage drives follow the lateral shift excursions of longitudinal tape, for example, from flangeless tape guides. A servo sensor is configured to sense lateral position of a tape head with respect to longitudinal servo tracks of the tape, a fine actuator is configured to translate the head laterally, and a coarse actuator is configured to translate the fine actuator laterally. Position error is determined between the head and a desired position related to the servo track, and the fine actuator operated to translate the head laterally to reduce the position error. In the embodiment, lateral shift excursion is sensed from the position error, and the coarse actuator is positioned substantially at a midpoint of the lateral shift excursion. Thus, the fine actuator follows the lateral shift excursions, while the coarse actuator remains at the midpoint. | 05-05-2011 |
20110109988 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMPENSATING FOR CROSSTALK BETWEEN NEARBY WRITERS - A recording system controller according to one embodiment includes a controller capable of selecting a level of a current or voltage applied to a first writer during the creation of a magnetic transition based on a current in at least one nearby writer. A recording system controller according to another embodiment includes a controller capable of selecting a timing of a current change applied to a first writer based on a current in at least one nearby writer for compensating for an effect of crosstalk from the at least one nearby writer. A method according to yet another embodiment includes selecting a level of a current or voltage applied to a first writer or selecting a timing of a current change applied to the first writer based on a current in at least one nearby writer for compensating for an effect of crosstalk from the at least one nearby writer. | 05-12-2011 |
20110157741 | LINEAR RECORDING DEVICE FOR EXECUTING OPTIMUM WRITING UPON RECEIPT OF SERIES OF COMMANDS INCLUDING MIXED READ AND WRITE COMMANDS AND A METHOD FOR EXECUTING THE SAME - A tape recording device, method, and computer program product are provided for performing operations of position movement, reading, and writing on a tape medium, and receiving a series of commands from an upper-layer device. The tape recording device includes a buffer for temporarily storing data related to the reading and an additional writing, a tape for recording the data stored in the buffer, a reading and writing head for reading data from the tape into the buffer and writing the data onto the tape, control means for reading data from a designated position of the tape and storing the data in the buffer, and for writing the data stored in the buffer onto the tape from a written data end position in response to an additional writing command, and a non-volatile memory for storing data stored in the buffer in response to an additional writing command. | 06-30-2011 |
20110199701 | SKEW ACTUATOR TO SERVO TRACK ZERO REFERENCE - A servo detection system for detecting servo tracks of a longitudinal tape. In a read/write head, two servo read heads are spaced laterally on a first head module, and a servo read head is on a second head module spaced longitudinally from the first module. A method comprises initially sensing a tape servo track with one servo read head of the first module and the servo read head of the second module to determine skew misalignment of the servo track. A zero reference value is stored representing the determined skew misalignment. The detection system switches from the one servo read head of each module, to the two servo read heads of the first module, and employs the stored value to position the read/write head in the zero skew position. The two servo read heads are then employed to read two servo tracks to identify the data band and to control skew. | 08-18-2011 |
20110199702 | LOCATING A HEAD ELEMENT OF A TAPE STORAGE DEVICE USING SERVO INFORMATION IN A DATA TRACK - To locate an access head element of a head assembly for a tape storage device, a storage tape having a data track that contains servo information is provided. The data track further contains data. The servo information that is in the data track is used to determine a position of the access head element. | 08-18-2011 |
20110199703 | MAGNETIC-TAPE DRIVE AND MAGNETIC-TAPE HEAD COMPATIBLE WITH MULTIPLE TAPE FORMATS - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to the design and implementation of backward-compatible magnetic tape drives ( | 08-18-2011 |
20110211278 | METHOD OF RETAINING A TRANSDUCER ON A BASE - A method of retaining a transducer for a digital storage apparatus that reads and writes data to a tape as the tape is moved in a tape drive path across the transducer. According to the method a head assembly is attached to the base to be movable relative to the base in a linear path that is perpendicular to the tape drive path. Movement of the head assembly is guided on a track that is partially defined by the head and partially defined by the base. At least two balls are disposed in the track between the base and the head assembly. A magnetic coupling retains the balls within the track. A linear motor operatively engages the head assembly to move the head assembly to follow the tape. | 09-01-2011 |
20110216440 | POSITIONING A COARSE ACTUATOR OF COMPOUND ACTUATOR TAPE SERVO SYSTEM AT MIDPOINT OF MAXIMUM PEAKS OF LATERAL TAPE MOVEMENT - Where a tape is subject to lateral shift excursions from one side of a head to another, a coarse actuator is positioned laterally to enable a fine actuator to follow lateral motion of a longitudinal tape having at least one longitudinal defined servo track. A position error signal loop is configured to sense servo sensor(s) and to determine position error between the head and a desired position related to the defined servo track(s). A servo control senses the lateral shift excursion of the defined servo track(s); determines a maximum positive peak and a maximum negative peak of the lateral shift excursion; and positions the coarse actuator substantially at a midpoint of the maximum positive peak and the maximum negative peak of lateral shift excursion of the defined servo track(s). Thus, the fine actuator follows the lateral shift excursion, while the coarse actuator remains at the midpoint. | 09-08-2011 |
20110216441 | APPLICATION OF CONTINUOUS POSITION ERROR OFFSET SIGNAL TO ACQUIRE SERVO TRACK - The method employs a servo system for positioning a head laterally to follow lateral motion of a longitudinal tape having longitudinal defined servo track(s), the servo system comprising a servo element configured to sense lateral position of the head with respect to an acquired servo track, a fine actuator configured to translate the head laterally with respect to the longitudinal tape, and a position error signal loop to operate the fine actuator to translate the head laterally to reduce position error. If the servo element is positioned away from the defined servo track(s), a continuous position error offset signal is applied to the fine actuator in a direction towards the defined servo track(s), whereby the fine actuator translates the head in accordance with the continuous position error offset signal; and, in response to the servo system acquiring the defined servo track(s), the continuous position error offset signal is discontinued. | 09-08-2011 |
20110267717 | LINEAR RECORDING TAPE WITH A REDUCED SERVO BAND WIDTH, AND SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING THE SAME - In one embodiment, a linear magnetic recording tape includes at least one servo band having a servo pattern readable by a servo reader of a magnetic head for positioning thereof, wherein the servo pattern is adapted to substantially fill a width b of the servo band, the servo band width h is less than or equal to about 1.2 B/N, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and b corresponds to a distance between data read/write transducers of the magnetic head in a direction transverse to a longitudinal length of the tape. In another embodiment, a method includes providing the linear magnetic recording tape, formatting the tape, and positioning the magnetic head within a first lateral tape region. Other linear magnetic tapes, systems, and methods are described according to other embodiments. | 11-03-2011 |
20120008234 | LOW FRICTION TAPE HEAD AND SYSTEM IMPLEMENTING SAME - A magnetic data storage system according to one embodiment includes a magnetic head; and guides on opposite sides of the magnetic head for directing a magnetic medium over the magnetic head. The magnetic head includes: outer portions each having a tape bearing surface and an array of transducers selected from a group consisting of readers and writers; and a central portion positioned between the outer portions, the central portion having a tape bearing surface and an array of transducers selected from a group consisting of readers and writers. An inner edge of each of the tape bearing surfaces of the outer portions is adapted for skiving air from the magnetic medium when the magnetic medium travels in a direction from the central portion towards the respective outer portion. The guides are oriented to direct the magnetic medium to fly over a leading one of the outer portions, engage a leading edge of the tape bearing surface of the central portion, and engage an inner edge of the tape bearing surface of a trailing one of the outer portions. | 01-12-2012 |
20120147496 | SERVOMECHANISM WITH ADJUSTABLE PREDICTOR FILTER - A digital control system, and in particular a tape drive system having a track-following servomechanism with a predictor (also referred to herein as a predictor filter), is described. In certain embodiments, the servomechanism includes an actuator, a servo channel, and a predictor coupled to the servo channel. The predictor receives from the servo channel a lateral position estimate signal and determines a modified lateral position estimate signal that reduces a difference, introduced by a tape velocity-dependent delay, e.g., introduced by the servo channel, between the modified lateral position estimate signal and an actual lateral position. The modified lateral position estimate may be used to modify a control signal sent to the actuator. | 06-14-2012 |
20120188665 | ADJUSTABLE SPAN RECORDING HEAD - In one general embodiment, a system includes a module having multiple transducers; and a sizing mechanism for actively applying a force to at least one lateral side of the module for selectively compressing the module, thereby adjusting a pitch between the transducers, wherein the lateral side of the module intersects an axis of the module oriented parallel to the direction of the force. Additional systems and methods are also presented. | 07-26-2012 |
20120200955 | USING A READ-WRITE DATA STORAGE DEVICE HAVING A DUAL ACTUATOR - A method of aligning read elements and write elements with a storage media in a data storage device includes determining a position of a data track associated with the storage media, shifting one of a first and second head module relative to the storage media. The first head module includes at least one of a read element and a write element and the second head module includes at least one of a read element and a write element operatively associated with the at least one of the read element and write element of the first head module. The first head module is selectively shiftable relative to the second head module. The method further includes aligning one of the at least one read element and write element of the one of the first and second head module that is shifted with the data track on the storage media. | 08-09-2012 |
20120243118 | Methods, Systems and Apparatus for Reducing the Effects of Tape Dimensional Stability - A method, system, apparatus, and computer readable medium storing instructions for recording data tracks and a method and system for reading data tracks. For recording data tracks, virtual boundary of a first data track recorded on the storage medium is determined. The recording element is positioned based on the determined virtual boundary of the first track and a second data track is recorded by the positioned recording element. For reading data tracks, a first virtual boundary of a first data track and a second virtual boundary of the first data track are determined and a reading element is positioned at a center of the first data track based on the determined virtual boundaries. In the system of reading recorded data tracks, a number of forward reading elements and backward reading elements are provided. The forward reading elements have different pitches. | 09-27-2012 |
20120307401 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FAST CENTER CALIBRATION OF A TAPE DRIVE FOR A FLANGELESS TAPE PATH - A servo system according to one embodiment includes at least one servo sensor for sensing a lateral position of a magnetic head with respect to at least one defined servo track of a longitudinal tape; a fine actuator configured to translate the magnetic head laterally with respect to the longitudinal tape; a coarse actuator configured to translate the fine actuator laterally with respect to the longitudinal tape; and a servo control. The servo control is configured to perform various operations that may be used to estimate a midpoint of lateral tape excursion of a flangeless tape path for calibrating a tape drive. Additional systems are also presented. | 12-06-2012 |
20120307402 | METHODS FOR FAST CENTER CALIBRATION OF A TAPE DRIVE FOR A FLANGELESS TAPE PATH - According to one embodiment, a method includes sensing a first servo sensor while a longitudinal tape is moved in a first direction; determining position error between the magnetic head and a desired position related to the at least one defined servo track; providing signals to operate a fine actuator to translate the magnetic head laterally in a manner to reduce the determined position error; calculating a first average position of the magnetic head for at least one first run-out cycle while the longitudinal tape is moved in the first direction; calculating a first offset of the magnetic head while the longitudinal tape is moved in the first direction; operating a coarse actuator to position the coarse actuator substantially at a target position using the first offset and the first average position. | 12-06-2012 |
20120314322 | Erasure and Servowriting of Magnetic Storage Media having Perpendicular Anisotropy - Magnetic storage tape and techniques for erasing and writing to magnetic storage tape having a perpendicular squareness greater than 50 percent and a longitudinal squareness less than 50 percent are described. In general, the magnetic tape may be biased with a remanence magnetization, or magnetic orientation, in any direction. One or two head systems may use various magnetic field patterns to create the desired remanence magnetization. Servo marks may have a remanence magnetization in an opposite magnetic orientation than that of the remaining bias on the servo track, e.g., substantially perpendicular to the magnetic tape. In some examples, a write head may alternate the direction of the magnetic field to continuously bias and write servo patterns to the magnetic tape. In addition, a symmetrical servo mark may be created in the magnetic tape with a write head having a gap width approximately equal to the length of the servo mark. | 12-13-2012 |
20130265671 | SYSTEM FOR FAST CENTER CALIBRATION OF A TAPE DRIVE FOR A FLANGELESS TAPE PATH - A servo system according to one embodiment includes a servo control configured to: determine position error between a magnetic head and a desired position related to at least one defined servo track on a longitudinal tape based on at least one servo signal; calculate a first average position of the magnetic head while the longitudinal tape is moved in a first direction; calculate a first offset of the magnetic head while the longitudinal tape is moved in the first direction based on a target position and an assumption that the first average position of the magnetic head occurred when the tape was at a top-most position or a bottom-most position of a supply reel; and operate an actuator to position the actuator substantially at the target position using the first offset and the first average position | 10-10-2013 |
20130335857 | VIBRATION DISTURBANCE ESTIMATION AND CONTROL - A tape drive configured to accurately position a head actuator in the presence of physical disturbances is disclosed. The tape drive includes a track-follow controller to position a head actuator over data tracks on magnetic tape. The tape drive further includes a disturbance observer configured to estimate a vibration disturbance and output a compensation signal to assist the track-follow controller to accurately position the head actuator over the data tracks in the presence of vibration. When estimating the vibration disturbance, the disturbance observer takes into account vibration frequency characteristics, such as frequency characteristics derived from a vibration specification associated with the tape drive, or frequency characteristics derived from known vibration disturbances experienced by the tape drive. A corresponding method is also disclosed. | 12-19-2013 |
20140022667 | TIMING-BASED SERVO FOR DETERMINING LATERAL HEAD VELOCITY - A servo track has identical servo pattern frames including two pairs of parallel magnetic transitions, the transitions of each pair spaced apart an equal distance, the transitions of the first pair at an azimuth angle to the longitudinal axis of the tape, the transitions of the second pair at an opposite azimuth angle. A servo channel receives signals at first times corresponding to when a servo read head detects the first and second transitions of the first pair of parallel transitions of a servo pattern frame, and second times corresponding to when the servo read head detects the first and second transitions of the second pair of parallel transitions. The servo channel determines a relative lateral movement and velocity between the tape and the tape head based on the azimuth angle and the ratio of the difference of the first and the difference of the second times. | 01-23-2014 |
20140036386 | TIMING-BASED SERVO FOR DETERMINING LATERAL HEAD VELOCITY - A servo track has servo pattern frames including two pairs of parallel transitions, the transitions of each pair spaced apart an equal distance, the first pair at an azimuth angle, the second pair at the opposite azimuth angle. A servo channel receives signals at first times corresponding to a servo read head detecting the transitions of the first pair of parallel transitions of a servo pattern frame, and second times corresponding to the servo read head detecting the transitions of the second pair of parallel transitions. The servo channel determines a relative lateral movement and velocity between the tape and the tape head based on respective functions of the ratio (T | 02-06-2014 |
20140063649 | DYNAMICALLY CONTROLLING TAPE VELOCITY - A maximum velocity is dynamically determined during a tape drive operation to obtain a statistical standard deviation of a position error signal (PES) that yields an amount of stopwrite (SW) operations that avoids backhitching. The tape velocity is adjusted to the maximum velocity. | 03-06-2014 |
20140063650 | ACCURATE RADIUS AND VELOCITY MEASUREMENT OF TAPE TRANSPORTS - A method according to one embodiment includes selecting an initial radius value (Rfull) for an outgoing reel, where Rfull is the initial radius of a tape on the outgoing reel; unwinding the tape from the outgoing reel; computing a radius value of the tape on the outgoing reel during the unwinding; adjusting the computed radius with an offset calculated from a direct measurement of velocity from the tape position; and outputting the adjusted computed radius. A method according to another embodiment includes selecting an initial radius value (R | 03-06-2014 |
20140126082 | FAST RECOVERY TO A WRITE STATE - Aspects of the present invention relate to an apparatus and corresponding method that includes transitioning from a monitor state to a stop write state when a determined position error is greater than a threshold error value for a first predetermined period, and transitioning from the monitor state to a write state when the determined position error is less than the threshold error value for a second predetermined period. Write operations are enabled and signals are provided to operate an actuator to translate a magnetic head laterally in a manner to reduce the determined position error while in the write state. Write operations are disabled and signals are provided to operate the actuator to translate the magnetic head laterally in a manner to reduce the determined position error while in the monitor state. Write operations are disabled while in the stop write state. | 05-08-2014 |
20140240866 | ADJUSTMENT OF TAPE WRITING MECHANISM, BASED ON TAPE DIMENSIONAL STABILITY AND POSITIONAL ERROR SIGNAL DISTRIBUTION - A determination is made in a tape drive of a potential deviation in tape dimensional stability of a tape, based on a current environmental condition and environmental conditions in which the tape is expected to be operational. A writing mechanism to write data to the tape is adjusted, based on the potential deviation in the tape dimensional stability. | 08-28-2014 |
20150009590 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE POSITION OF A HEAD RELATIVE TO A TAPE WITHIN A TAPE TRANSPORT SYSTEM - Controlling the position of a head within a tape transport system. A track-follow control system (TFCS) includes a controller device for generating a control signal as a function of a position error signal (PES), wherein the PES indicates a difference between the actual and target positions of the head relative to the tape, and an actuator for changing the actual position. The TFCS is adapted to select a controller device configuration from a plurality of configurations dependent on an operating tape speed. The configurations are predetermined depending on a vibration frequency domain profile indicative of environmental vibrations induced to the head and tape to determine the control signal for adjusting an actuator output signal relative to a lateral tape motion signal. The TFCS is also adapted to feed-back a signal depending on a difference of the actuator output signal and the lateral tape motion signal to generate the PES. | 01-08-2015 |
20150062747 | ALIGNING A FIRST ELEMENT COUPLED TO AN ACTUATOR WITH A SECOND ELEMENT OF A MAIN SYSTEM - A control system for aligning a first element coupled to an actuator with a second element of a main system includes a position sensor that measures an absolute position of the first element relative to the main system as a sensor signal, a position error signal-based compensator that generates a second control signal as a function of a position error signal, wherein the position error signal indicates a relative position of the first element as a difference between the actual position of the first element and a target position of the first element relative to the second element, a sensor-based compensator that generates a first control signal as a function of the sensor signal and the second control signal, and an actuator that changes the position of the first element relative to the second element dependent on the first control signal to align the first element with the second element. | 03-05-2015 |
20150103436 | MAGNETIC DATA STORAGE APPARATUS FOR USE WITH LINEAR RECORDING MEDIA HAVING A REDUCED SERVO BAND WIDTH - In one embodiment, a magnetic data storage apparatus includes a magnetic head having at least one group of N servo readers, a drive mechanism for passing a linear magnetic recording medium over the head, and a controller electrically coupled to the head. The controller is configured to position a first servo reader of the at least one group of N servo readers in a first lateral medium region of the recording medium with a servo band having a width b that is less than or equal to about 1.2 B/N, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and B corresponds to a distance between data read/write transducers of the magnetic head, and position the magnetic head in a second lateral region of width b with a second servo reader of the at least one group of N servo readers for reading the servo band. | 04-16-2015 |
20150302875 | SKEW ESTIMATION FOR A TAPE STORAGE DEVICE - An apparatus for operating a tape storage device comprises a tape skew estimation unit for estimating a value related to a skew of a tape storage medium arranged in the tape storage device relative to a head module of the tape storage device. A servo pattern decoder is configured to decode information encoded in a servo pattern written to one or more servo bands of the tape storage medium based on read-back signals of at least two servo readers of the tape storage device arranged for reading the servo pattern from the one or more servo bands and based on the estimated skew related value. | 10-22-2015 |
20150332718 | TAPE HEAD ASSEMBLY FOR LINEAR TAPE OPEN - A tape head assembly includes a set of data readers configured to simultaneously read data from a set of adjacent data tracks of a tape storage medium, each data track having a width; wherein the width of each data reader of the set along a lateral extension of the tape head assembly is equal to or less than the width of a data track wherein the lateral extension of the tape head assembly is orthogonal to a longitudinal extension of the tape storage medium when arranged in a tape drive containing the tape head assembly spanning at least the set of data tracks during reading; and a servo reader arrangement containing at least one servo reader arranged laterally offset from one of the data readers by less than the width of a data track. | 11-19-2015 |
20150356984 | MAGNETIC TAPE MEDIUM WITH MAGNETICALLY ENCODED SERVO BAND BURSTS - A magnetic tape medium includes at least one servo band along a longitudinal extension of the tape medium which at least one servo band comprises servo patterns organized in servo frames for supporting to determine positional information. At least one of the servo frames includes a first burst comprising at least two servo stripes inclined at a first angle with respect to a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal extension of the tape medium, followed by a second burst including at least two servo stripes inclined at a second angle with respect to a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal extension of the tape medium, which second angle is different from the first angle. At least one of the stripes of the first burst has a first magnetic polarity and at least one of the stripes of the second burst has a second magnetic polarity different from the first magnetic polarity. | 12-10-2015 |
20150380015 | HIGH DENSITY TIMING BASED SERVO FORMAT - A product according to one embodiment includes a magnetic recording tape having opposite ends and at least one servo track, a longitudinal axis of the magnetic recording tape being defined between the ends. The at least one servo track has a plurality of straight first magnetic bars, and a plurality of straight second magnetic bars spaced from the first magnetic bars. A width of each of the at least one servo track is defined in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the magnetic recording tape between sides of the servo track, the sides of each servo track extending along opposite ends of the each of the first magnetic bars. Lengths of the second magnetic bars between outermost ends thereof are less than the width of the associated servo track. | 12-31-2015 |
20150380033 | USAGE OF STATE INFORMATION FROM STATE-SPACE BASED TRACK-FOLLOW CONTROLLER - A method according to one embodiment includes generating track following controller state information based on a positional signal of a head relative to a medium. One or more portions of the state information corresponding to particular frequencies are used to determine at least one of: lateral tape movement, tape skew, vibration operation conditions, and roller performance. | 12-31-2015 |
20160005429 | QUASI-STATICALLY ORIENTED, BI-DIRECTIONAL TAPE RECORDING HEAD - A computer program product for orienting a head, according to one embodiment, includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith that are readable/executable by a controller to cause the controller to determine a desired pitch for transducers of a magnetic head for reading and/or writing to a magnetic tape, and are readable/executable by the controller to cause the controller to cause a mechanism to orient the magnetic head towards first and second positions to achieve the desired pitch when the tape travels in first and second directions, respectively. Outer data transducers of the third array are about aligned with outer data transducers of the second array when the magnetic head is positioned towards the first position, and the outer data transducers of the third array are about aligned with outer data transducers of the first array when the magnetic head is positioned towards the second position. | 01-07-2016 |
20160012840 | MAGNETIC HEAD AND SYSTEM HAVING OFFSET ARRAYS | 01-14-2016 |
20160012841 | MAGNETIC HEAD AND SYSTEM HAVING OFFSET ARRAYS | 01-14-2016 |
20160049167 | MAGNETIC HEAD AND SYSTEM HAVING OFFSET ARRAYS - In one embodiment, an apparatus includes at least first and second modules, a mechanism for orienting the modules to control a transducer pitch presented to a tape, and a controller physically configured to determine a state of expansion of the tape based on a readback signal from the tape. Each of the modules have an array of transducers. The first and second modules are fixed relative to each other. The transducers of the first module are about aligned with the transducers of the second module in an intended direction of tape travel thereacross when longitudinal axes of the arrays are oriented at an angle greater than 0.2° relative to a line oriented perpendicular to the intended direction of tape travel. The controller is physically configured to control the mechanism for altering the angle of the modules away from the nominal angle based on the state of expansion of the tape. | 02-18-2016 |
20160180872 | TAPE HEAD ASSEMBLY FOR LINEAR TAPE OPEN | 06-23-2016 |
20160189737 | CALIBRATING A TAPE DRIVE - A method for calibrating a tape drive is disclosed herein. The method includes writing a calibration track onto a tape cartridge using a first tape drive. The method includes reading the calibration track using a plurality of tape drives to measure a plurality of write element offset values, in which each write element offset value corresponds to each of the plurality of tape drives. The method includes determining a calibration factor based on an average write element offset value, in which the calibration factor is used to align a write element of a drive head of the first tape drive. | 06-30-2016 |
20160196845 | COARSE ACTUATOR POSITIONING ALGORITHM | 07-07-2016 |
20160196846 | DYNAMICALLY OPTIMIZING READ PERFORMANCE BY ADJUSTING SERVO-BASED HEAD LOCATION | 07-07-2016 |
20190147910 | PLANAR MONO COIL FOR TWO STAGE HEAD ACTUATOR | 05-16-2019 |