Abstract: A motor current control method is provided to reduce voltage and current spikes within a spindle motor and a power supply. Subsequently, the amount of current applied to the spindle motor is monitored. In addition, an apparatus for limiting motor power is provided.

Abstract: A disc drive includes an apparatus for limiting coil energization current to a programmable value. A current sensor is operatively coupled to a coil and provides a signal which is indicative of current flow through the coil. A configurable voltage source is responsive to a control signal. A current inhibitor is operatively coupled to the output of the current sensor and the voltage source such that the current inhibitor selectively inhibits current flow through the coil based on results of a comparison between the current sensor signal and a voltage supplied by the configurable voltage source. A method of calibrating a current control threshold is also provided as well as a method of controlling the coil energization current.

Abstract: A servo track recording tape includes a plurality of data tracks and a servo band dedicated for servo information. The servo band includes substantially uniformly written servo carrier information across a predetermined servo carrier width along the length of the tape with at least one encoded track pitch defined therein. Each encoded track pitch has alternating erased and non-erased portions along the length of the tape for defining servo tracks. The alternating erased and non-erased portions of the at least one encoded track pitch include encoded information provided by varying the length of one or more of the erased portions. The encoded information may be representative of tape locations along the length of the tape. The servo band may include two or more encoded track pitches defined in the substantially uniformly written servo carrier information with each encoded track pitch defining corresponding servo tracks.

Abstract: A disc drive includes an apparatus for limiting coil energization current to a programmable value. A current sensor is operatively coupled to a coil and provides a signal which is indicative of current flow through the coil. A configurable voltage source is responsive to a control signal. A current inhibitor is operatively coupled to the output of the current sensor and the voltage source such that the current inhibitor selectively inhibits current flow through the coil based on results of a comparison between the current sensor signal and a voltage supplied by the configurable voltage source. A method of calibrating a current control threshold is also provided as well as a method of controlling the coil energization current.

Abstract: The tape in a data cartridge has a beginning of tape (BOT) zone adjacent a leading end, a load point (LP) zone adjacent the BOT zone, an end of tape (EOT) zone adjacent a trailing end, an early warning (EW) zone adjacent the EOT zone, and a data recording (DR) zone between the LP and EW zones. Servo tracks extending between the BOT and EOT enable the closed-loop servo operation of a tape deck during the recording of data at data flux transition densities within a predetermined range of flux transition densities. A BOT indicator includes a first type magnetic marker extending throughout the BOT zone and has a BOT flux density. An LP indicator includes spaced second type magnetic markers on the servo tracks at the border of the LP and DR zones. An EW indicator which is identical to the LP indicator is located on the servo tracks at the border of the DR and EW zones. An EOT indicator includes a first type marker extending throughout the EOT zone and has an EOT flux density.

Abstract: A head-track orienting system for use in magnetic recording tape drives is disclosed which automatically corrects for misalignment between the head assembly and a recorded servo track on the tape. Using a servo control loop, the system calculates head-track alignment error during operation of the tape drive and either pivots the head assembly or adjusts the tape cartridge to compensate for the error. Transverse head-track positioning mechanisms are also included in the system to locate and maintain a centered position of the heads on the servo track.