Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes reading a codeword stored to a memory, computing a syndrome word based on a product of the codeword and a parity check matrix derived from a linear block code, setting a flag to a first value indicating that the codeword includes no errors in response to a first determination requiring that the syndrome word is an all-zero vector, setting the flag to a second value indicating that the codeword includes exactly one single-bit error in response to a second determination requiring that the syndrome word equals a column of the parity check matrix, setting the flag to a third value indicating that the codeword includes an odd number of multiple bit errors in response to a third determination, and setting the flag to a fourth value indicating that the codeword includes an even number of multiple bit errors in response to a fourth determination.

Abstract: A tape drive-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: determining a number of lateral position estimates to use for calculating a lateral position value, receiving lateral position estimates from a single servo channel, calculating the lateral position value by using the number of lateral position estimates, and using the lateral position value to control a tape head actuator. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: A tape drive-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: determining a length of a window of a servo pattern to use for calculating a lateral position estimate, and determining a number of the windows of the servo pattern to use for calculating a lateral position value. A lateral position estimate is calculated for each of the number of the windows of the servo pattern. Moreover, the lateral position value is calculated by using the lateral position estimates. The lateral position value is used to control a tape head actuator. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: A tape drive-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: determining a length of a window of a servo pattern to use for calculating a lateral position estimate, and determining a number of the windows of the servo pattern to use for calculating a lateral position value. A lateral position estimate is calculated for each of the number of the windows of the servo pattern using signals which correspond to each of the number of the windows. Moreover, the lateral position value is calculated by using the lateral position estimates. The lateral position value is used to control a tape head actuator. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes reading a plurality of narrow-spread (NS) codewords from M tracks of a magnetic tape medium using a plurality of read elements, the plurality of NS codewords collectively comprising data logically organized as a predetermined number of two-dimensional arrays. Each two-dimensional array includes a predetermined number of NS codewords positioned orthogonally to a predetermined number of wide-spread (WS) codewords, with a first NS codeword from a first two-dimensional array being read in its entirety from the magnetic tape medium prior to reading a second NS codeword from the first two-dimensional array. The method also includes laterally decoding each NS codeword from the first two-dimensional array read from the M tracks of the magnetic tape medium in succession prior to decoding any WS codewords from the first two-dimensional array. The NS codewords are protected with a stronger encoding than the WS codewords within each two-dimensional array.

Abstract: A tape drive-implemented method, according to another embodiment, includes: determining a length of a window of a servo pattern to use for calculating a lateral position estimate, determining a number of the windows of the servo pattern to use for calculating a lateral position value, receiving signals corresponding to each of the number of the windows of the servo pattern from a single servo channel, calculating a lateral position estimate for each of the number of the windows of the servo pattern, calculating the lateral position value by using the lateral position estimates, and using the lateral position value to control a tape head actuator. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: A mechanical resonator includes a spring-mass system, wherein the spring-mass system comprises a phase-change material. The mechanical resonator typically comprises an electrical circuit portion, coupled to the phase-change material to alter a phase configuration within the phase-change material. Methods of operation are also disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for managing digital datasets stored on a multi-tiered storage system that includes several tiers of storage, the datasets likely to be accessed by one or more applications interacting with the storage system. The method includes monitoring an access history of datasets accessed by the one or more applications; and while monitoring the access history: computing probabilities of access, by the one or more applications, of the datasets stored on the storage system according to metadata associated to given datasets as identified in the monitored access history; and based on the computed probabilities of access, selecting one or more of the datasets to be moved across the tiers. Related storage systems and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: A tape drive-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: causing a servo reader to move in a first direction over a high-density servo pattern which includes a plurality of high-density servo tracks. Each of the servo tracks includes at least two patterns written at different frequencies to produce different periodic waveforms during readback. Moreover, a readback signal is received from the servo reader as the servo reader moves in the first direction. The readback signal is used to set a gain parameter for each of the respective periodic waveforms. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: A tape head is provided for reading and/or writing to a magnetic tape. The tape head including a step-like cross-sectional profile, so as to exhibit a riser between two treads, the latter respectively formed by a tape-bearing surface and a recessed surface, wherein: the tape-bearing surface is essentially flat and configured to contact a magnetic tape, and comprises at least one transducer, the latter being a read or a write element, configured to read or write to the magnetic tape, respectively; and the recessed surface is recessed from the tape-bearing surface by a distance h corresponding to a height of the riser, a width w of the recessed surface along a direction parallel to a longitudinal direction z of circulation of the tape being such that a ratio h/w is at least of 0.01. Related tape head apparatuses for recording or reproducing multi-track tapes are also provided.

Abstract: A tape drive-implemented method, according to another embodiment, includes: determining a length of a window of a servo pattern to use for calculating a lateral position estimate, determining a number of the windows of the servo pattern to use for calculating a lateral position value, receiving signals corresponding to each of the number of the windows of the servo pattern from a single servo channel, calculating a lateral position estimate for each of the number of the windows of the servo pattern, calculating the lateral position value by using the lateral position estimates, and using the lateral position value to control a tape head actuator. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: An apparatus-implemented method according to one embodiment includes passing a magnetic recording tape over a plurality of modules having write transducers. Associated pairs of the write transducers are aligned along an intended direction of tape travel thereacross, and planes of deposition of write gaps of the write transducers in each associated pair are oriented at an angle of greater than 4 degrees relative to each other. The method further includes controlling a timing of writing of each of the write transducers individually for causing each pair of write transducers to write magnetic bars on the magnetic recording tape that are offset from one another in the intended direction of tape travel thereacross.

Abstract: A tape drive-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: determining a number of lateral position estimates to use for calculating a lateral position value, receiving lateral position estimates from a single servo channel, calculating the lateral position value by using the number of lateral position estimates, and using the lateral position value to control a tape head actuator. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: A tape drive-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: causing a servo reader to move laterally in a first direction over a high-density servo pattern on a moving magnetic tape, receiving a readback signal from the servo reader as the servo reader moves laterally in the first direction, using amplitudes of the readback signal to determine a maximum energy value of each of the at least two periodic waveforms, and using the maximum energy values to set a gain parameter for each of the respective periodic waveforms. The first direction is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the magnetic tape. Moreover, the high-density servo pattern includes a plurality of high-density servo tracks, the servo tracks including at least two patterns written at different frequencies to produce different periodic waveforms during readback. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: An apparatus-implemented method according to one embodiment includes passing a magnetic recording tape over a plurality of modules having write transducers, and causing the write transducers to write predefined patterns of magnetic bars on the magnetic recording tape. Associated pairs of the write transducers are aligned along an intended direction of tape travel thereacross. Planes of deposition of write gaps of the write transducers in each associated pair are oriented at an angle of greater than 4 degrees relative to each other. A timing of writing of each write transducer is controlled such that resulting patterns of magnetic bars written by each associated pair are offset from one another in the intended direction of tape travel.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving data to store to a magnetic tape medium using a tape drive, the data being organized into a predetermined number of two-dimensional arrays, each two-dimensional array including a plurality of narrow-spread (NS) codewords positioned orthogonally to a plurality of wide-spread (WS) codewords (relative spread referring to space occupied on the magnetic tape medium when written). The method also includes successively writing each of the NS codewords onto a plurality of tracks of the magnetic tape medium using a first number of channels of the tape drive capable of writing data to tape tracks simultaneously. A first NS codeword from a first two-dimensional array is completely written to the magnetic tape medium prior to starting to write a second NS codeword from the first two-dimensional array. Also, the plurality of NS codewords are protected with a stronger encoding than the plurality of WS codewords.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes reading a plurality of narrow-spread (NS) codewords from M tracks of a magnetic tape medium using a plurality of read elements, the plurality of NS codewords collectively comprising data logically organized as a predetermined number of two-dimensional arrays. Rach two-dimensional array includes a predetermined number of NS codewords positioned orthogonally to a predetermined number of wide-spread (WS) codewords, with a first NS codeword from a first two-dimensional array being read in its entirety from the magnetic tape medium prior to reading a second NS codeword from the first two-dimensional array. The method also includes laterally decoding each NS codeword from the first two-dimensional array read from the M tracks of the magnetic tape medium in succession prior to decoding any WS codewords from the first two-dimensional array. The NS codewords are protected with a stronger encoding than the WS codewords within each two-dimensional array.

Abstract: A tape head including a body exhibiting a tape-bearing area is provided. The body includes at least one transducer that is a read element or a write element, configured in the tape head so as for the tape head to read from or write to a magnetic tape, in operation. The tape-bearing area is essentially covered by an electrically conducting layer of material. This way, the exposed surface of the electrically conducting layer essentially forms the tape-bearing surface of the tape head, which surface contacts the magnetic tape, in operation. A tape head apparatus for recording or reproducing multi-track tapes including the tape head is also provided.

Abstract: A tape drive-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: determining a servo band configuration of servo bands on a magnetic tape, using servo readers on a magnetic tape head to read one or more of the servo bands based on the determined servo band configuration, and using information read from the one or more of the servo bands to position the magnetic tape head relative to the magnetic tape. An array of data transducers is positioned along the magnetic tape head, the array extending perpendicular to a direction of travel of the magnetic tape. Moreover, a group of the servo readers is positioned at each end of the array of data transducers, and a distance between each of the immediately adjacent servo readers in each of the groups of servo readers is less than or equal to one third of a prespecified width of each of the servo bands.

Abstract: An apparatus-implemented method according to one embodiment includes passing a magnetic recording tape over a plurality of modules having write transducers, and causing the write transducers to write predefined patterns of magnetic bars on the magnetic recording tape. Associated pairs of the write transducers are aligned along an intended direction of tape travel thereacross. Planes of deposition of write gaps of the write transducers in each associated pair are oriented at an angle of greater than 4 degrees relative to each other. A timing of writing of each write transducer is controlled such that resulting patterns of magnetic bars written by each associated pair are offset from one another in the intended direction of tape travel.