Abstract: In a tape drive for storing and retrieving information to and from a media, a system for optimizing write performance includes a tape head and a controller. The tape head may include a write element. The controller may be for optimizing write performance in response to at least one media information signal that is stored on a media cartridge.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a tape read head bias signal control circuit configured to present to a tape read head a first amplitude bias signal in response to at least a first control signal and a second amplitude bias signal in response to at least a second control signal, wherein the second amplitude is lower than the first amplitude. The read head, thereby, may have a reduced operating temperature.

Abstract: Servo tracks combine low frequency transitions for fine transverse positioning with high frequency fields providing additional information. In one embodiment, each servo frame has a first field of recorded low frequency transitions, a second field of recorded low frequency transitions, and at least one high frequency field. The first low frequency field transitions are recorded on the tape such that a peak of each first field transitions varies in longitudinal position across the width of the servo frame. The second field of low frequency transitions are recorded on the tape such that a peak of each second field transition is not parallel with the peak of any first field transition. High frequency fields may provide one or more of timing information, longitudinal position information and gross transverse position information.

Abstract: Servo tracks combine low frequency transitions for fine transverse positioning with high frequency fields providing additional information. In one embodiment, each servo frame has a first field of recorded low frequency transitions, a second field of recorded low frequency transitions, and at least one high frequency field. The first low frequency field transitions are recorded on the tape such that a peak of each first field transitions varies in longitudinal position across the width of the servo frame. The second field of low frequency transitions are recorded on the tape such that a peak of each second field transition is not parallel with the peak of any first field transition. High frequency fields may provide one or more of timing information, longitudinal position information and gross transverse position information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for timing reads and writes to a moving physical storage medium capable of being operated over a continuous range of speeds is disclosed. Reference regions on the moving storage medium are read as the medium moves past a read head. This produces a timing signal, which can be processed to produce a clock signal. This clock signal can then be used to time reads and writes to and from the medium so that the medium may be read or written to at any speed, while preserving the same physical size for each recording item of data on the medium.