Abstract: In one general embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes using, by the computer, a tape head and/or an actuator to detect the presence of external vibration. The method also includes selecting, by the computer, at least one frequency of interest, and using, by the computer, a discrete Fourier transform implemented as a Goertzel filter to determine a magnitude of the external vibration at the at least one frequency of interest. Compensation may optionally be applied to reduce an effect of the external vibration.

Abstract: A method, according to one embodiment, includes writing a plurality of shingled tracks using an array of writers, determining first and second positions of an array of readers relative to the shingled tracks, the first and second positions being above and/or beyond track edges of the shingled tracks, repositioning the array of readers to various locations between the first and second positions and reading data from the shingled tracks, determining a read offset point where read performance is about the highest during the reading performed when repositioning the array of readers between the first and second positions, and computing, using the read offset point, data describing a lateral writing position to use during writing such that shingled tracks are written in a location specified by a format. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes: determining a reading performance of a head positioned at a commanded lateral reading location based on one or more metrics; adjusting a lateral reading location of the head relative to a medium by moving the head in a lateral direction away from the commanded lateral reading location to an adjusted lateral reading location; determining a reading performance of the head after the adjusting; comparing the reading performance after the adjusting to the reading performance before the adjusting for determining whether the reading performance has improved; and selecting an optimal lateral reading location based on the comparing. The one or more metrics are selected from a group consisting of C1 error correction rate, and C2 error correction rate. Corresponding systems and computer program products are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining a reading performance based on one or more metrics, adjusting a commanded lateral reading location of a head relative to a medium, determining the reading performance after the adjusting, comparing the reading performance after the adjusting relative to the reading performance before the adjusting for determining whether the reading performance has improved, and selecting a commanded lateral reading location based on the comparing. In another embodiment, a controller is configured to perform the foregoing method. In yet another embodiment, a computer program product includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions readable and/or executable by a controller configured to perform the foregoing method.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining a reading performance based on one or more metrics, adjusting a commanded lateral reading location of a head relative to a medium, determining the reading performance after the adjusting, comparing the reading performance after the adjusting relative to the reading performance before the adjusting for determining whether the reading performance has improved, and selecting a commanded lateral reading location based on the comparing. In another embodiment, a controller is configured to perform the foregoing method. In yet another embodiment, a computer program product includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions readable and/or executable by a controller configured to perform the foregoing method.

Abstract: A system is provided having a guide member with features, such as grid and axes, which spatially correlate to tissue with a lesion adjacent the guide member, and a template device upon the tissue aligned with the features having a first aperture over the guide member, and a second aperture over the tissue with the lesion. A microscope captures one or more images of the tissue via the second aperture at one or more locations each spatially correlated with a location selected or being mapped along the guide member in the first aperture. Prior to imaging and template device placement, marks are recorded along the guide member when part of a tracing sheet is positioned in a folded state over the lesion to establish spatial correlation of the features of the guide member to the lesion when in an unfolded state and positioned for use with the template device and microscope.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for storing data on a magnetic tape comprises receiving data from two different hosts and simultaneously writing the data from the hosts to the magnetic tape using multiple transducers. In another approach, a method for storing data on a magnetic tape comprises receiving requests to establish a concurrent reservation from multiple hosts and allocating a unique stripe in a wrap to each of the hosts that sent the requests, wherein the wrap is a collection of data tracks to be written simultaneously in one direction of tape movement by multiple transducers of a tape head, and the wrap is logically divided into the stripes. Also, the method includes receiving data from the hosts and simultaneously writing the data from the hosts to the magnetic tape using the multiple transducers. Other systems and methods concerning storing data on magnetic tapes are described as well.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for storing data on a magnetic tape comprises receiving data from two different hosts and simultaneously writing the data from the hosts to the magnetic tape using multiple transducers. In another approach, a method for storing data on a magnetic tape comprises receiving requests to establish a concurrent reservation from multiple hosts and allocating a unique stripe in a wrap to each of the hosts that sent the requests, wherein the wrap is a collection of data tracks to be written simultaneously in one direction of tape movement by multiple transducers of a tape head, and the wrap is logically divided into the stripes. Also, the method includes receiving data from the hosts and simultaneously writing the data from the hosts to the magnetic tape using the multiple transducers. Other systems and methods concerning storing data on magnetic tapes are described as well.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for storing data on a magnetic tape comprises receiving data from two different hosts and simultaneously writing the data from the hosts to the magnetic tape using multiple transducers. In another approach, a method for storing data on a magnetic tape comprises receiving requests to establish a concurrent reservation from multiple hosts and allocating a unique stripe in a wrap to each of the hosts that sent the requests, wherein the wrap is a collection of data tracks to be written simultaneously in one direction of tape movement by multiple transducers of a tape head, and the wrap is logically divided into the stripes. Also, the method includes receiving data from the hosts and simultaneously writing the data from the hosts to the magnetic tape using the multiple transducers. Other systems and methods concerning storing data on magnetic tapes are described as well.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for storing data on a magnetic tape comprises receiving data from two different hosts and simultaneously writing the data from the hosts to the magnetic tape using multiple transducers. In another approach, a method for storing data on a magnetic tape comprises receiving requests to establish a concurrent reservation from multiple hosts and allocating a unique stripe in a wrap to each of the hosts that sent the requests, wherein the wrap is a collection of data tracks to be written simultaneously in one direction of tape movement by multiple transducers of a tape head, and the wrap is logically divided into the stripes. Also, the method includes receiving data from the hosts and simultaneously writing the data from the hosts to the magnetic tape using the multiple transducers. Other systems and methods concerning storing data on magnetic tapes are described as well.

Abstract: Noise in a same-gap, frequency-based servo tape system is reduced by applying correlated noise factors, generated during calibration, to filtered data write signals. The resulting noise values are subtracted from filtered servo signals, at frequencies F1 and F2, to generate first and second noise-compensated servo signals at frequencies F1 and F2. In one embodiment, the F1 and F2 data signals are filtered through two SOBP filters which output the magnitudes of the signals. The F1 and F2 servo signals are similarly filtered. In another embodiment, the F1 and F2 data signals are filtered through two Goertzel filters which output the real and imaginary components of the signals and the F1 and F2 servo signals are similarly filtered through two other Goertzel filters. Correlated noise factors are applied to the outputs of the write data Goertzel filters and the results subtracted from the corresponding outputs of the servo Goertzel filters.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to transfer information between data storage devices. The method provides an information storage assembly comprising a frame, a memory device disposed on that frame, information written to that memory device, a power supply removeably attached to the frame, and a first data storage device comprising a first identity removeably attached the frame. If the method detects an error in the first data storage device, then the method removes the first data storage device from the frame. The method further provides a replacement data storage device, removeably attaches that replacement data storage device to the frame, and determines if the replacement device uses the first configuration information. If the replacement device uses the first configuration information, then the method provides the first configuration information to the replacement data storage device from the memory device.

Abstract: A method to transfer information between data storage devices. The method provides an information storage assembly comprising a frame, a memory device disposed on that frame, information written to that memory device, a power supply removeably attached to the frame, and a first data storage device comprising a first identity removeably attached the frame. The method writes first configuration information to the memory device. If the method detects an error in the first data storage device, then the method removes the first data storage device from the frame. The method further provides a replacement data storage device, removeably attaches that replacement data storage device to the frame, and determines if the replacement device uses the first configuration information. If the replacement device uses the first configuration information, then the method provides the first configuration information to the replacement data storage device from the memory device.

Abstract: A method to erase a magnetic tape, where the magnetic tape is first mounted in a magnetic tape in a tape drive, where that magnetic tape includes a physical beginning of tape (“PBOT”), a physical end of tape (“PEOT”), and information written thereon between the PBOT and the PEOT. The method then establishes one or more critical areas located on the magnetic tape, attempts to erase the information, and determines if each of the one or more critical areas have been erased. In the event each of said one or more critical areas have not been erased, Applicants' method provides an error message.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to calibrate a servo sensor disposed on a tape head located adjacent a moving magnetic tape is disclosed where that magnetic tape includes at least one servo edge comprising an interface between a first recorded signal and a second recorded signal, and where the servo sensor provides a servo signal, and where an independent position sensor provides an IPS signal. The method first samples the servo signal and the IPS signal, calculates a transfer function, and forms a first calibration curve. The method then forms an average residual error value. If that average residual error exceeds the maximum allowable residual error, then the method applies an offset to the first calibration curve to form a second calibration curve. That second calibration curve is saved for subsequent use during, for example, read/write/erase operations.

Abstract: A method to calibrate a transducer, whereby the transducer provides a first signal, and whereby a reference provides a reference signal. The first signal is sampled at a sampling rate comprising a reference frequency, and a digital measured first signal waveform is formed. The reference signal is sampled at the sampling rate, and a digital measured reference signal waveform is formed. The real and imaginary components of the measured first signal waveform are determined at (P) harmonics of the reference frequency. A filtered first signal waveform is formed using those real and imaginary components. The real and imaginary components of the measured reference signal waveform are determined at (P) harmonics of the reference frequency. A filtered reference signal waveform is formed using those real and imaginary components. A transfer function is formed using the filtered first signal waveform and the filtered reference signal waveform. A calibration curve is formed using that transfer function.

Abstract: A method to calibrate a servo sensor disposed on a magnetic tape head disposed adjacent a magnetic tape, where that magnetic tape includes at least one servo edge comprising an interface between a first recorded signal and a second recorded signal, whereby the servo sensor is capable of detecting that first recorded signal and that second recorded signal, and whereby an independent position sensor provides an IPS signal comprising the position of the tape head with respect to the tape path. Applicants' method determines and uses initial servo signal information and initial IPS signal information to determine an initial transfer function. That initial transfer function is used to determine a positioning signal where the tape head is alternatingly moved in a first direction and an opposing second direction along a first axis as the tape moves along a tape path such that the position of the magnetic head along the first axis as a function of time comprises a periodic function having the positioning signal.

Abstract: A method to calibrate a servo sensor disposed on a magnetic tape head disposed adjacent a magnetic tape moving along a tape path. The method measures a maximum and a minimum servo signal ratio, establishes target maximum and minimum servo signal ratios, and determines if the measured servo signal ratios include the target ratios. If the measured servo signal ratios include the target servo signal ratios, then the method forms a filtered servo signal waveform using the measured servo signal waveform. The method then uses the filtered servo signal waveform to calculate a transfer function which is saved for subsequent track following.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to read and/or write information from and/or to a moving magnetic tape comprising one or more servo edges using a tape head comprising (N) servo sensors. Bach servo edge comprises an interface between a first recorded signal and a second recorded signal, where each of the (N) servo sensors detects that first recorded signal and that second recorded signal. The method calculates (N) target PES signals and provides (N) measured PES signals. Using the target and the measured PES signals, the method forms (N) weighted PES signals and averages those (N) weighted PES signals to form a Composite PES signal. That Composite PES signal is used to position the tape head.

Abstract: A method to erase a magnetic tape, where the magnetic tape is first mounted in a magnetic tape in a tape drive, where that magnetic tape includes a physical beginning of tape (“PBOT”), a physical end of tape (“PEOT”), and information written thereon between the PBOT and the PEOT. The method then establishes one or more critical areas located on the magnetic tape, attempts to erase the information, and determines if each of the one or more critical areas have been erased. In the event each of said one or more critical areas have not been erased, Applicants' method provides an error message.