Abstract: A computer program product, according to one embodiment, includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith. The computer readable storage medium is not a transitory signal per se. Moreover, the program instructions readable and/or executable by a controller to cause the controller to perform a method which includes: determining, by the controller, whether a difference between information and corresponding design values is in a range; and computing, by the controller and using the information, data describing a lateral writing position to use during writing such that shingled track edges are aligned according to a format in response to determining that the difference between the information and corresponding design values is not in the range. The information corresponds to how an array of writers write and/or are expected to write to a magnetic medium during shingled recording.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes gathering information about how an array of writers write and/or are expected to write to a magnetic medium during shingled recording, and computing, using the gathered information, data describing a lateral writing position to use during writing such that shingled track edges are aligned according to a format. A method according to another embodiment includes obtaining a lateral offset from a nominal writing position, and applying the lateral offset for repositioning a writing position of an array of writers relative to a nominal writing position during writing in a first direction. A product according to one embodiment includes a magnetic recording medium; and data indicative of whether a lateral writing position offset was used while writing.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: collecting performance data corresponding to a tape drive and/or a magnetic tape head, storing the performance data in memory, and using the data to perform problem analysis. The performance data includes a resistance of the tape drive and/or magnetic tape head and a resolution of the tape drive and/or the magnetic tape head. Moreover, performing the problem analysis includes: determining a condition of the tape drive and/or the magnetic tape head, wherein the condition is selected from a group consisting of: wear, corrosion, defective leads and wire bonds. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method according to one embodiment includes collecting, by the computer, performance data corresponding to a tape drive and/or a magnetic tape head. The performance data is stored in memory, and used by the computer to perform problem analysis. A computer-implemented method according to another embodiment includes collecting, by the computer, performance data corresponding to a tape drive and/or a magnetic tape head. The collected performance data is condensed to reduce a size of the collected performance data. The condensed performance data is stored in memory, and used to perform problem analysis.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a module having first and second transducers of different transducer types positioned towards a media facing side of the module. The apparatus also includes a first protection structure for protecting the first transducer. The first protection structure includes a recessed portion of the media facing side adjacent the first transducer. The second transducer is protected by a second protection structure that is different than the first protection structure. The second protection structure includes a recessed portion of the media facing side adjacent the second transducer. An extent of recession of the recessed portion of the media facing side adjacent the second transducer is not as great as an extent of recession of the recessed portion of the media facing side adjacent the first transducer.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method according to one embodiment includes collecting, by the computer, performance data corresponding to a tape drive and/or a magnetic tape head. The performance data is stored in memory, and used by the computer to perform problem analysis. A computer-implemented method according to another embodiment includes collecting, by the computer, performance data corresponding to a tape drive and/or a magnetic tape head. The collected performance data is condensed to reduce a size of the collected performance data. The condensed performance data is stored in memory, and used to perform problem analysis.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a module having first and second transducers of different transducer types positioned towards a media facing side of the module. The apparatus also includes a first protection structure for protecting the first transducer. The first protection structure includes a recessed portion of the media facing side adjacent the first transducer. The second transducer is protected by a second protection structure that is different than the first protection structure. The second protection structure includes a recessed portion of the media facing side adjacent the second transducer. An extent of recession of the recessed portion of the media facing side adjacent the second transducer is not as great as an extent of recession of the recessed portion of the media facing side adjacent the first transducer.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a module having first and second transducers of different transducer types positioned towards a media facing side of the module, where the different transducer types are selected from a group consisting of data reader transducers, servo reader transducers, write transducers, piggyback read-write transducers and merged read-write transducers. The apparatus also includes a first protection structure for protecting the first transducer. The second transducer has either no protection or is protected by a second protection structure that is different than the first protection structure. In one embodiment, the first protection structure includes a coating on the media facing side of the module adjacent the first transducer. In another embodiment, the first protection structure is a recessed portion of the media facing side adjacent the first transducer.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes gathering information about how an array of writers write and/or are expected to write to a magnetic medium during shingled recording, and computing, using the gathered information, data describing a lateral writing position to use during writing such that shingled track edges are aligned according to a format. A method according to another embodiment includes obtaining a lateral offset from a nominal writing position, and applying the lateral offset for repositioning a writing position of an array of writers relative to a nominal writing position during writing in a first direction. A product according to one embodiment includes a magnetic recording medium; and data indicative of whether a lateral writing position offset was used while writing.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes recessing a portion of a media facing side of a module, the module having first and second transducers of different magnetic transducer types positioned towards the media facing side of the module, wherein the different transducer types are selected from a group consisting of data reader transducers, servo reader transducers, write transducers, piggyback read-write transducers and merged read-write transducers; wherein the recess is positioned towards one of the first transducers, wherein the recess forms a first protection structure for protecting the first transducer; and wherein the second transducer has either no protection or is protected by a second protection structure that is different than the first protection structure.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes applying a coating to a media facing side of a module, the module having first and second transducers of different magnetic transducer types positioned towards the media facing side of the module, wherein the different transducer types are selected from a group consisting of data reader transducers, servo reader transducers, write transducers, piggyback read-write transducers and merged read-write transducers; wherein the coating forms at least a portion of a first protection structure for protecting the first transducer; and wherein the second transducer has either no protection or is protected by a second protection structure that is different than the first protection structure.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a module having first and second transducers of different transducer types positioned towards a media facing side of the module, where the different transducer types are selected from a group consisting of data reader transducers, servo reader transducers, write transducers, piggyback read-write transducers and merged read-write transducers. The apparatus also includes a first protection structure for protecting the first transducer. The second transducer has either no protection or is protected by a second protection structure that is different than the first protection structure. In one embodiment, the first protection structure includes a coating on the media facing side of the module adjacent the first transducer. In another embodiment, the first protection structure is a recessed portion of the media facing side adjacent the first transducer.

Abstract: A magnetic head according to one embodiment includes a module, the module having first and second transducers of different transducer types positioned towards a media facing side of the module, wherein the different transducer types are selected from a group consisting of data reader transducers, servo reader transducers, write transducers, piggyback read-write transducers and merged read-write transducers; a first protection structure for protecting the first transducer; and wherein the second transducer has either no protection or is protected by a second protection structure that is different than the first protection structure.

Abstract: A magnetic head according to one embodiment includes a module, the module having first and second transducers of different transducer types positioned towards a media facing side of the module, wherein the different transducer types are selected from a group consisting of data reader transducers, servo reader transducers, write transducers, piggyback read-write transducers and merged read-write transducers; a first protection structure for protecting the first transducer; and wherein the second transducer has either no protection or is protected by a second protection structure that is different than the first protection structure.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes applying a coating to a media facing side of a module, the module having first and second transducers of different magnetic transducer types positioned towards the media facing side of the module, wherein the different transducer types are selected from a group consisting of data reader transducers, servo reader transducers, write transducers, piggyback read-write transducers and merged read-write transducers; wherein the coating forms at least a portion of a first protection structure for protecting the first transducer; and wherein the second transducer has either no protection or is protected by a second protection structure that is different than the first protection structure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system comprises a magnetic head, a protective coating on a media-facing side of the head, and an indentation in the protective coating having a dimension that, when the protective coating wears, is indicative of an amount of wear of the protective coating. A method, in another embodiment, comprises creating an indentation in a protective coating of a magnetic head, the indentation having a dimension that, when the protective coating wears, is indicative of an amount of wear of the protective coating. In another embodiment, a method comprises visually inspecting indentations in a protective coating of a magnetic head, wherein at least two of the indentations have differing dimensions that, when the protective coating wears, are indicative of the amount of wear of the protective coating. The method also includes estimating an amount of wear of the protective coating based on the visual inspection.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the performance of a magnetic recording system, comprising measuring a first set of finite impulse response filter tap values at time t1, measuring a second set of finite impulse response filter tap values are measured at time t2, where time t2 is subsequent to time t1, and calculating an actual loss parameter using the first set of tap values and the second set of tap values. The method then compares the actual loss parameter with a total effective loss threshold.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the performance of a magnetic recording system, comprising measuring a first set of finite impulse response filter tap values at time t1, measuring a second set of finite impulse response filter tap values are measured at time t2, where time t2 is subsequent to time t1, and calculating an actual loss parameter using the first set of tap values and the second set of tap values. The method then compares the actual loss parameter with a total effective loss threshold.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system comprises a magnetic head, a protective coating on a media-facing side of the head, and an indentation in the protective coating having a dimension that, when the protective coating wears, is indicative of an amount of wear of the protective coating. A method, in another embodiment, comprises creating an indentation in a protective coating of a magnetic head, the indentation having a dimension that, when the protective coating wears, is indicative of an amount of wear of the protective coating. In another embodiment, a method comprises visually inspecting indentations in a protective coating of a magnetic head, wherein at least two of the indentations have differing dimensions that, when the protective coating wears, are indicative of the amount of wear of the protective coating. The method also includes estimating an amount of wear of the protective coating based on the visual inspection.

Abstract: A method for reading data from a magnetic recording tape having multiple adjacent data tracks according to one embodiment includes simultaneously detecting signals from a plurality of read devices, at least some of the read devices being positioned over multiple data tracks while other of the adjacent read devices are positioned over single data tracks; determining which of the read devices is positioned over a single data track; and simultaneously reading data from the data tracks using only those read devices over the single data tracks. A method for reading and writing data to a magnetic recording tape according to another embodiment includes simultaneously writing data tracks to a magnetic medium; and simultaneously reading the data tracks on the magnetic medium using a plurality of adjacent read devices; wherein the number of the adjacent read devices is at least twice the number of the adjacent write devices.