Abstract: An integral recording head, for use in a linear tape drive system, includes a circumferentially grooved roller guide assembly and a recording head actuator assembly. The circumferential groove feature is incorporated on the surfaces of the roller guide assembly, and provides a substantial frictional contact force that acts to reduce the lateral motion, and further attenuates high frequency lateral disturbances of the magnetic tape. The reduced high frequency content of the lateral disturbances significantly improves the ability of the actuator to achieve a desired track following control. The grooved roller guide assembly is formed integrally of two solid cylindrical contact surfaces separated by a circumferential slot that accommodates the recording head actuator assembly.

Abstract: A multi-channel tape recording head or apparatus that has cable connection pads aligned along a direction that runs substantially perpendicular to a multi-channel tape recording head actuation direction, which allows a ribbon-type external cable, connected to the cable connection pads, to bend in its most flexible direction when the multi-channel tape recording head moves.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for writing timing-based magnetic servo band patterns on magnetic storage media. The apparatus includes a magnetic head and a tri-state driver. The driver is adapted to control three magnetic head states including two writes states having positive and negative current outputs, respectively, for performing a write sequence and a rest state, having no current output for avoiding overwriting of the magnetic pattern between write sequences. The driver is further adapted to gradually change the magnetic head state from a rest state to a write state before beginning a write sequence and to gradually change the magnetic head state back to a rest state upon completing a write sequence. Thus, strong uniform signal pulses are produced upon playback of the magnetic pattern.

Abstract: An integral recording head, for use in a linear tape drive system, includes a circumferentially grooved roller guide assembly and a recording head actuator assembly. The circumferential groove feature is incorporated on the surfaces of the roller guide assembly, and provides a substantial frictional contact force that acts to reduce the lateral motion, and further attenuates high frequency lateral disturbances of the magnetic tape. The reduced high frequency content of the lateral disturbances significantly improves the ability of the actuator to achieve a desired track following control. The grooved roller guide assembly is formed integrally of two solid cylindrical contact surfaces separated by a circumferential slot that accommodates the recording head actuator assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for writing timing-based magnetic servo band patterns on magnetic storage media. The apparatus includes a magnetic head and a tri-state driver. The driver is adapted to control three magnetic head states including two writes states having positive and negative current outputs, respectively, for performing a write sequence and a rest state, having no current output for avoiding overwriting of the magnetic pattern between write sequences. The driver is further adapted to gradually change the magnetic head state from a rest state to a write state before beginning a write sequence and to gradually change the magnetic head state back to a rest state upon completing a write sequence. Thus, strong uniform signal pulses are produced upon playback of the magnetic pattern.