Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes measuring a current position error signal; calculating a standard deviation or a variance using the current position error signal sample; calculating a kurtosis value, using the current position error signal sample or derivative thereof; adjusting a threshold value using the kurtosis value; comparing the standard deviation or variance to the threshold value; enabling writing when the standard deviation or variance does not exceed the threshold value.

Abstract: Tape media life is increased by dynamically controlling a turn around point (TAP) on the tape media for either an end of a tape wrap or a directional change from a first longitudinal position tape section to a second longitudinal position tape section for reducing damage to the tape media caused by debris by monitoring the TAP for all tape media motion and adjusting tape deceleration for maintaining the TAP to be located at the second longitudinal position tape section.

Abstract: A method for accurately adjusting skew in the presence of tape motion includes performing a calibration run of magnetic tape in a tape drive. During the calibration run, the method records skew readings at selected intervals. The method then finds a range associated with the skew readings, such as by finding a high and low skew reading. The method then finds a center point of the range, and a difference between the center point and a desired center point. The method applies the difference to each recorded skew reading to generate a target skew reading for each recorded skew reading. The method generates a skew error signal that reflects the difference between each recorded skew reading and each corresponding target skew reading. The skew error signal will generally be consistent even as the tape moves, thereby allowing a technician to easily adjust and optimize the skew.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a data storage system includes a head; a drive mechanism for passing a medium over the head; a controller electrically coupled to the head; logic encoded in or available to the controller for: periodically determining a stopwrite threshold based on a standard deviation or a variance at a current position error signal sample, wherein a smoothing factor applied to a subsequent calculation of the standard deviation or variance is altered based at least in part on a current magnitude of the standard deviation or the variance; determining whether the current position error signal sample exceeds the stopwrite threshold; disabling writing when the current position error signal sample exceeds the stopwrite threshold; and enabling writing when the current position error signal sample does not exceed the stopwrite threshold. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described according to more embodiments.

Abstract: A data storage system according to one embodiment includes a head; a drive mechanism for passing a medium over the head; a controller electrically coupled to the head; logic for periodically determining a stopwrite threshold based on a current position error signal sample; logic for determining whether the current position error signal sample exceeds the stopwrite threshold; logic for disabling writing when the current position error signal sample exceeds the stopwrite threshold; and logic for enabling writing when the current position error signal sample does not exceed the stopwrite threshold. Additional embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Magnetic tape systems, magnetic tape and reel systems, magnetic tape drives and methods of manufacturing the systems and drives comprise, for the magnetic tape system, two lengths of magnetic tape of substantially equal width dimension; and a cleaning tape positioned between and joining the two lengths of magnetic tape, forming a combined multi-part tape having the cleaning tape contained between the two lengths of magnetic tape. In the tape drive, the tape, two reels, each reel supporting at least a distal end of the combined multi-part tape, and a magnetic tape head assembly are contained in a common enclosure, such that the magnetic tape drive is self-contained. Manufacturability is enhanced by having a very long combined multi-part tape made from two lengths of magnetic tape joined together by a cleaning tape.

Abstract: Magnetic tape systems, magnetic tape and reel systems, magnetic tape drives and methods of manufacturing the systems and drives comprise, for the magnetic tape system, two lengths of magnetic tape of substantially equal width dimension; and a cleaning tape positioned between and joining the two lengths of magnetic tape, forming a combined multi-part tape having the cleaning tape contained between the two lengths of magnetic tape. In the tape drive, the tape, two reels, each reel supporting at least a distal end of the combined multi-part tape, and a magnetic tape head assembly are contained in a common enclosure, such that the magnetic tape drive is self-contained. Manufacturability is enhanced by having a very long combined multi-part tape made from two lengths of magnetic tape joined together by a cleaning tape.

Abstract: Where a tape is subject to lateral shift excursions from one side of a head to another, a coarse actuator is positioned laterally to enable a fine actuator to follow lateral motion of a longitudinal tape having at least one longitudinal defined servo track. A position error signal loop is configured to sense servo sensor(s) and to determine position error between the head and a desired position related to the defined servo track(s). A servo control senses the lateral shift excursion of the defined servo track(s); determines a maximum positive peak and a maximum negative peak of the lateral shift excursion; and positions the coarse actuator substantially at a midpoint of the maximum positive peak and the maximum negative peak of lateral shift excursion of the defined servo track(s). Thus, the fine actuator follows the lateral shift excursion, while the coarse actuator remains at the midpoint.

Abstract: A servo detection system for detecting servo tracks of a longitudinal tape. In a read/write head, two servo read heads are spaced laterally on a first head module, and a servo read head is on a second head module spaced longitudinally from the first module. A method comprises initially sensing a tape servo track with one servo read head of the first module and the servo read head of the second module to determine skew misalignment of the servo track. A zero reference value is stored representing the determined skew misalignment. The detection system switches from the one servo read head of each module, to the two servo read heads of the first module, and employs the stored value to position the read/write head in the zero skew position. The two servo read heads are then employed to read two servo tracks to identify the data band and to control skew.

Abstract: A method, a servo system and a tape drive are provided to acquire lock on a servo signal. The servo signals of at least one servo element are monitored to detect a valid servo signal. If a valid servo signal is not detected than the fine actuator is moved in a first direction until either a valid servo signal is detected or the fine actuator travel limit is reached. When a valid servo signal is detected, the fine actuator is set to a neutral position and the coarse actuator is moved in the first direction. When the fine actuator travel limit is reached the fine actuator is moved to the first position and the coarse actuator is moved in a second direction, opposite of the first direction.

Abstract: A tape guide roller includes a first flange and a second flange separated by a barrel wherein at least one of the first flange and second flange comprise a soft material. The soft material can include acetal homopolymers, such as Delrin. It can also include soft metals, such as aluminum.

Abstract: A method for preventing dust from entering a tape drive system is disclosed. Initially, a cooling fan is allowed to rotate in one direction to provide airflow to the tape drive system. In response to a detection of a loading or unloading of a tape cartridge or a head brush operation, the cooling fan is allowed to rotate in a different direction to provide airflow in an opposite direction in order to blow any dust and debris, which may be introduced from a tape cartridge or may already be resident on a tape head, out the front of the tape drive system.