Abstract: Pulses generated from servo stripes of a servo tape system are narrowed by using non-linear gain enabling precise position of the read head. Non-linear gain based on the amplitude of each pulse is applied to each pulse to reduce jitter and distortion so as to more accurately position the read head. A non-linear gain device comprising multipliers apply a non-linear gain to a normal servo pulse signal prior, in one embodiment, to the signal being applied to a qualifier. The non-linear gain device further comprises a limiter so as to limit the gain beyond a certain threshold to 1.0. The limitation of the gain to 1.0 renders the actual amplitude of the pulse unchanged while narrowing the pulse and flattening the baseline. The resulting pulse possesses less jitter and less distortion qualities rendering the positioning of the read head more precise.

Abstract: Pulses generated from servo stripes of a servo tape system are narrowed by using non-linear gain enabling precise position of the read head. Non-linear gain based on the amplitude of each pulse is applied to each pulse to reduce jitter and distortion so as to more accurately position the read head. A non-linear gain device comprising multipliers apply a non-linear gain to a normal servo pulse signal prior, in one embodiment, to the signal being applied to a qualifier. The non-linear gain device further comprises a limiter so as to limit the gain beyond a certain threshold to 1.0. The limitation of the gain to 1.0 renders the actual amplitude of the pulse unchanged while narrowing the pulse and flattening the baseline. The resulting pulse possesses less jitter and less distortion qualities rendering the positioning of the read head more precise.

Abstract: Data signal dropout may cause loss of synchronization between the data signal and a data clock. A dropout resistant system for generating the data clock synchronized to the data signal includes a phase-locked loop. The phase-locked loop outputs the data clock having frequency and phase based on phase difference between the data signal and the data clock. The phase-locked loop holds constant the data clock frequency and minimizes phase shift during periods when an indication of the data signal quality drops beneath a threshold level.