Abstract: Memory storage devices that employ atomic resolution storage technology are provided. A preferred memory storage device includes a storage medium that defines one or more coverage areas. Each of the coverage areas incorporates a storage area that is configurable in one of a plurality of structural states. Typically, the structural states represent information stored in the storage area. Electron beam emitters electrically communicate with the storage medium, with the storage medium and the emitters being configured to move relative to each other. So configured, each emitter is capable of providing a beam of electrons to a respective one of the coverage areas. The memory storage device also includes a first current source that selectively electrically communicates with at least one of the emitters. Additionally, a control system electrically communicates with the first current source that facilitates a controlled current flow from the first current source to the at least one emitter.

Abstract: A capacitance-based position sensor configured to sense relative position of a pair of objects. The sensor includes capacitor circuitry having a capacitor that varies in capacitance with relative position of the pair of objects. A source is coupled to the capacitor circuitry, and is configured to apply a time-varying input to the capacitor circuitry. The capacitor circuitry is configured to yield a time-varying, capacitance-dependent output in response to application of the time-varying input from the source. The sensor further includes an integrator configured to integrate, for a predetermined time period, a received signal that is based upon the time-varying, capacitance-dependent output from the capacitor circuitry. The integration yields an integrator output which is proportional to the value of the capacitance. This output is usable to determine relative position of the objects.

Abstract: A position sensor for use in connection with a movable system having a pair of objects that are configured to move relative to one another along an axis through an operative range of motion. The position sensor includes a first plate secured to one of the objects and a pair of second plates secured to the other of the objects. The second plates are adjacent each other and coplanar. The first plate and second plates are configured so that the second plates are spaced from and parallel to the first plate as the objects move relative to one another along the axis. The first plate and second plates are configured so that they form two variable, spaced-plate capacitors having capacitances that vary as the objects move relative to one another within the operative range along the axis. The position sensor is configured to use the capacitances to generate output usable to determine relative position of the objects along the axis.

Abstract: An electrostatic drive having a plurality of mover electrodes operatively secured to a mover, and a plurality of stator electrodes operatively secured to a stator. The mover and stator are configured to move relative to each other via electrostatic force generated between the mover electrodes and the stator electrodes. The electrostatic drive includes a driver configured to place the stator electrodes in any of a number of sequential voltage states, each being defined by a combination of LO and HI voltage levels at the individual stator electrodes. Transition from one voltage state to a sequentially adjacent voltage state produces a step size of relative movement between the mover and stator. For each of the sequential voltage states, the driver is further configured to selectively vary voltage applied at one of the stator electrodes to an amount between the LO and the HI voltage levels, in order to produce a proportionally smaller step size.

Abstract: A tape drive for use with a magnetic recording tape, the tape drive including a system for determining the amount of tension on the magnetic recording tape, the magnetic recording tape having a length in the direction of tape travel and a width in the direction perpendicular to the length, the tape having first and second servo bands thereon spaced apart in a direction transverse to the length of the tape, the tape drive including servo elements configured to read the first and second servo bands on the tape; and a servo processor configured to determine changes in distance between the first and second servo bands, and to detect changes in the amount of tension along the length of the tape based on the determined changes in distance between the first and second servo bands.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device is disclosed for determining the position of a mover. The MEMS device has a bottom layer connected to a mover layer. The mover layer is connected to a mover by flexures. The mover moves relative to the mover layer and the bottom layer. The flexures urge the mover back to an initial position of mechanical equilibrium. The flexures include coupling blocks to control movement of the mover. The MEMS device determines the location of the mover by determining the capacitance between mover electrodes located on the coupling blocks of the flexures and counter electrodes located on an adjacent layer. The coupling block moves according to a determinable relationship with the mover. As the coupling block moves, the capacitance between the mover electrode and the counter electrode changes. A capacitance detector analyzes the capacitance between the electrodes and determines the position of the mover.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) motion sensor is disclosed for detecting movement in three dimensions of a semiconductor wafer structure. The MEMS device has top, middle, and bottom layers, with a mover attached to the middle layer by a flexure that allows the mover to move in three dimensions relative to the layers. The mover has mover electrodes that create a capacitance with counter electrodes positioned on an adjacent layer. The capacitance changes as the mover moves. A capacitance detector receives signals from the electrodes and detects movement of the mover based on the change in capacitances. The MEMS device processes the detected capacitances to determine the nature of the movement of the mover. The mover and counter electrodes comprise x-y electrodes for detecting movement in an x-y plane parallel to the middle layer and z electrodes for detecting movement in a direction orthogonal to the x-y plane.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device is disclosed for determining the position of a mover. The MEMS device has a bottom layer connected to a mover layer. The mover layer is connected to a mover by flexures. The mover moves relative to the mover layer and the bottom layer. The flexures urge the mover back to an initial position of mechanical equilibrium. The flexures include coupling blocks to control movement of the mover. The MEMS device determines the location of the mover by determining the capacitance between mover electrodes located on the coupling blocks of the flexures and counter electrodes located on an adjacent layer. The coupling block moves according to a determinable relationship with the mover. As the coupling block moves, the capacitance between the mover electrode and the counter electrode changes. A capacitance detector analyzes the capacitance between the electrodes and determines the position of the mover.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) motion sensor is disclosed for detecting movement in three dimensions of a semiconductor wafer structure. The MEMS device has top, middle, and bottom layers, with a mover attached to the middle layer by a flexure that allows the mover to move in three dimensions relative to the layers. The mover has mover electrodes that create a capacitance with counter electrodes positioned on an adjacent layer. The capacitance changes as the mover moves. A capacitance detector receives signals from the electrodes and detects movement of the mover based on the change in capacitances. The MEMS device processes the detected capacitances to determine the nature of the movement of the mover. The mover and counter electrodes comprise x-y electrodes for detecting movement in an x-y plane parallel to the middle layer and z electrodes for detecting movement in a direction orthogonal to the x-y plane.

Abstract: Embodiments of a data storage tape control system and methods are disclosed that may work to correct off-track errors, reduce the frequency of off-track errors, and/or reduce the negative effects of off-track errors in writing performance. The invented method slows tape speed in response to off-track errors, preferably by continuously decelerating while attempting writing multiple retries. The invented method helps prevent further off-track errors and the resulting frequent interruptions of writing, by helping improve head placement accuracy. Once a selected amount of data is written, for example, a standard data-set or other block of data, the tape speed optionally may be accelerated to the original target speed. While the average tape speed may be reduced during the invented writing procedure, the overall efficiency of writing may be increased compared to an operation in which off-track errors and writing failures occur repeatedly because of high tape speeds.

Abstract: A servo writer for writing servo code to a magnetic tape having a width, the servo writer comprising a tape head including a plurality of write elements and being configured to write servo code to a plurality of bands across substantially the entire width of the tape. A method comprising providing a tape having a width; and writing servo code on the tape using a servo writer configured to transport the tape in a length direction normal to the width, and configured to write servo code in linear bands along the length of the tape, the bands together occupying substantially the entire width of the tape.

Abstract: A servo writer for writing servo code to a magnetic tape having a width, the servo writer comprising a tape head including a plurality of write elements and being configured to write servo code to a plurality of bands across substantially the entire width of the tape. A method comprising providing a tape having a width; and writing servo code on the tape using a servo writer configured to transport the tape in a length direction normal to the width, and configured to write servo code in linear bands along the length of the tape, the bands together occupying substantially the entire width of the tape.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of formatting timing based servo bands, as used in linear data tape systems, in a way that allows differentiation between different adjacent pairs of servo bands. Each servo band is recorded with a similar or identical timing based pattern. However, the patterns in the various servo bands are offset longitudinally from each other, so that each pair of adjacent servo bands exhibits a unique inter-band timing relationship. The bands are recorded using a patterned write head with write gaps at different longitudinal offsets.

Abstract: A timing-based servo system for positioning a magnetic head relative to a magnetic storage medium, the magnetic storage medium having a servo pattern written thereon, the system comprising a head including a servo read element configured to read the servo pattern and produce a signal, the signal including recognizable signal events corresponding to the servo read element reading servo transitions; a servo decoder configured to receive the servo signal, determine the position of the head, with respect to the servo band, in response to the amount of time between the signal events, and generate an error signal indicative of actual head position relative to desired head position with respect to the servo band, the servo decoder including time capture logic configured to determine the amount of time between the signal events, the time capture logic including a multiple phase clock generator.

Abstract: An adaptive media speed drive unit for use with a magnetic storage medium, the magnetic storage medium having a timing based servo pattern written thereon, the servo pattern including transitions, the drive unit including a magnetic head including a servo read element configured to read the servo pattern and produce a signal, the signal including recognizable signal events corresponding to the servo read element reading servo transitions; a servo decoder including time capture logic configured to determine the amount of time between the signal events; and a digitally controlled oscillator configured to produce a tracking clock which a write element can use to write data to the magnetic medium with a uniform spacing regardless of magnetic medium speed.

Abstract: A linear tape system has a tape head to read and write a linear data storage tape. As the tape moves in a longitudinal direction, the tape head senses magnetic transition stripes in longitudinal servo bands to control the lateral position of the tape head relative to the tape. The system is equipped with a linear speed calculating unit that derives timing data from the servo band stripes and computes a linear speed of the data storage tape in the longitudinal direction. The linear speed calculation produces a result that is independent of the lateral position of the tape head relative to the tape.

Abstract: A device for formatting a linear data storage tape includes a servo write head configured to write a pattern of magnetic transition stripes along a servo band of the linear data storage tape. The servo write head is configured to produce stripes having lateral widths that are significantly greater than that of a servo read element of a data read/write head designed for use with the linear data storage tape. Each stripe has either a positive non-zero azimuth or a negative non-zero azimuth. The device also includes a magnetic readback element that produces a servo verify signal. The magnetic readback element extends laterally across the full widths of the magnetic transition stripes and is oriented at an azimuth between the positive and negative non-zero azimuths of the magnetic transition stripes. A pulse detector is configured to detect pulses in the servo verify signal.

Abstract: A head positioning system achieves higher track alignment accuracy for audio, video, or data recording or playback. In a digital tape drive embodiment, the positioning system includes a servo read head for receiving conventional servo code from the tape, a voice coil motor that moves the head in relation to the tape, a light source mounted to move with the head, a lateral effect photodiode that is illuminated by the light source to monitor misalignment of the head and tape, and a control circuit. The positioning system locates the head in alignment with the tape when conventional positioning in response to the servo code is not possible, such as when the tape is not moving. Movement of the light source modulates two currents provided by the photodiode. The control circuit drives the source according to the normalized sum of the currents and drives the motor according to the difference of the currents.

Abstract: A servo system positions a read head for following a magnetic tape track by determining position information from a composite signal read from the tape by the read head. The servo system includes the read head, a discriminator circuit that provides a drive signal in response to the composite signal, and a head positioner that moves the read head in response to the drive signal. One frame of the composite signal in one embodiment includes four sync pulses followed by four position pulses. Sync pulses have a pulse width less than the pulse width of position pulses. The discriminator includes range check circuits that validate sync and position pulses and includes an arithmetic circuit that determines a ratio of sync-to-position time divided by sync-to-sync time. The discriminator provides the drive signal in response to a moving average of such ratios.

Abstract: A device for reading data from or writing data to magnetic storage media, the device comprising a head having a plurality of read/write elements for reading data from or writing data to magnetic storage media in respective tracks, and a plurality of servo elements for reading servo code from the media in respective bands different from the data tracks, the read/write elements and servo elements being arranged such that a plurality of the tracks operated on by the read/write elements are disposed between two servo bands operated on by two of the servo elements.