Abstract: A device for recording and/or reading data to and/or from a magnetic tape includes a read/write head which has a first device set including a first plurality of magnetic data write and/or read elements and a second device set including a second plurality of magnetic data write and/or read elements. The device also includes a lateral positioning actuator and an azimuth actuator. The lateral positioning actuator and azimuth actuator are used together to position both device sets on the magnetic tape. The lateral positioning actuator laterally positions the read/write head such that during write and/or read operations the first and second pluralities of magnetic data write and/or read elements align laterally to first and second pluralities of recordable and/or readable data tracks on the magnetic tape. The azimuth actuator rotates the read/write head about an azimuthal angle. such that the elements align to lateral spacings.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying a servo pattern in tape media include a tape drive unit which moves the tape media lengthwise across a read head. The tape drive unit is adapted to use a tape comprising at least one servo band, each servo band including at least one servo pattern. The tape drive unit scans the read head across the servo band in a widthwise direction relative to the tape media. The system and method also include an electronic control unit that is adapted to verify the servo pattern.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying a servo pattern in tape media include a tape drive unit which moves the tape media lengthwise across a read head. The tape drive unit is adapted to use a tape comprising at least one servo band, each servo band including at least one servo pattern. The tape drive unit scans the read head across the servo band in a widthwise direction relative to the tape media. The system and method also include an electronic control unit that is adapted to verify the servo pattern.

Abstract: A device for recording and/or reading data to and/or from a magnetic tape includes a read/write head which has a first device set including a first plurality of magnetic data write and/or read elements and a second device set including a second plurality of magnetic data write and/or read elements. The device also includes a lateral positioning actuator and an azimuth actuator. The lateral positioning actuator and azimuth actuator are used together to position both device sets on the magnetic tape. The lateral positioning actuator laterally positions the read/write head such that during write and/or read operations the first and second pluralities of magnetic data write and/or read elements align laterally to first and second pluralities of recordable and/or readable data tracks on the magnetic tape. The azimuth actuator rotates the read/write head about an azimuthal angle. such that the elements align to lateral spacings.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A system and method for recovering from write errors during writing of a moving storage medium suspend write current while allowing the storage medium to continue moving. The system and method continue to format data for writing while the write current is suspended and resequence the data for subsequent storage. Information is recorded to distinguish previously written data from current data with error correction pointers adjusted accordingly. Write errors may be detected in a track following streaming tape system based on data errors from a read back check or based on positioning errors of a read/write head servo system, for example. By allowing the storage medium to continue moving through the error event, the system and method improve speed, capacity utilization, and throughput of the storage and retrieval process.

Abstract: A system and method for recovering from write errors during writing of a moving storage medium suspend write current while allowing the storage medium to continue moving. The system and method continue to format data for writing while the write current is suspended and resequence the data for subsequent storage. Information is recorded to distinguish previously written data from current data with error correction pointers adjusted accordingly. Write errors may be detected in a track following streaming tape system based on data errors from a read back check or based on positioning errors of a read/write head servo system, for example. By allowing the storage medium to continue moving through the error event, the system and method improve speed, capacity utilization, and throughput of the storage and retrieval process.

Abstract: A method for writing a servo pattern onto a length of magnetic tape includes writing a first frequency signal onto a first portion along the length of the tape, and writing a second frequency signal by simultaneously writing a plurality of spaced apart predetermined shapes. The predetermined spaced apart shapes are achieved by writing the second frequency using a writer having a split top pole. Passing the tape over the spaced apart top pole elements allows the writer to simultaneously write the plurality of spaced apart shapes. The tape can then be passed over a read module.

Abstract: A servo stripe pattern for determining the longitudinal position of the tape with respect to the tape head. A data field on each frame of the servo pattern includes a digital one or a zero. An adjacent series of data fields are arranged in a predetermined sequence defining synchronization and position count fields. The position count field allows the tape controller to accurately determine where, along the length of the tape, the tape head is currently positioned.

Abstract: A magnetic tape servo pattern with different frequency signals to define the frame boundary. A significantly different frequency field is used to signal the transition from one frame to the next.

Abstract: A magnetic tape servo pattern including track identification. Information from a track identification area intersecting one or more tracks on each frame in combination with information identifying the track as odd or even, is used to uniquely identify the track.

Abstract: A method for detecting a frame edge in a servo stripe on a length of magnetic tape. The method includes converting an analog signal to a digital signal and detecting a change in digital signal frequency at a frame edge. A detection signal is generated in response to the detected frequency change.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic tape head including a split top pole. The split top pole configuration allows multiple patterns to be written simultaneously onto a servo band.

Abstract: A method for identifyng a servo track. Information from the servo track about the odd or even number of the track is combined with information about the presence or absence of a track identification area to identify the track number.

Abstract: A method for determining the longitudinal position of a length of magnetic tape with respect to the tape head. A data field on each frame of the servo stripe includes a digital one or a zero. An adjacent series of data fields are arranged in a predetermined sequence defining synchronization and position count fields. Identifying the position count field allows the tape controller to accurately determine where, along the length of the tape, the tape head is currently positioned.

Abstract: A magnetic tape servo pattern including track identification. Information from a track identification area intersecting one or more tracks on each frame in combination with information identifying the track as odd or even, is used to uniquely identify the track.