Abstract: The invention provides a system comprising a non-linear array of magnetoresistive (MR) heads arranged in a two-dimensional matrix for reading information stored on magnetic media. The non-linear array of MR heads may comprise a planar array formed by a plurality of linear arrays of MR heads stacked to define a plurality of layers. Each of the linear arrays may share at least one shield element with another linear array of the non-linear array. In general, each layer is offset by one written track pitch and the number of layers of the invention is equal to the number of written track pitches in a channel pitch. The invention can also be used in a system for reading and writing information to magnetic media at improved track pitches relative to conventional read/write systems. Accordingly, the invention can facilitate increased storage densities on magnetic media and may have advantages in terms of quality of readout and ease of manufacture relative to magneto-optical read heads or other read heads.

Abstract: The invention provides a system comprising an array of write heads and an array of magnetoresistive (MR) read heads. The array of read heads may comprise a linear array of MR heads, and the array of write heads may comprise a planar array of heads arranged in a two-dimensional matrix. Each channel of the array of write heads has a corresponding channel in the array of read heads. Data signals can be independently written to different tracks of a medium using the array or write heads and can be read using each channel the array or read heads. Moreover, the system can facilitate read and write operations at very small track pitches.

Abstract: A magnetic tape recording system employing a single bump read-while-write head, methods of minimizing crossfeed signals between the read and write channels of magnetic tape recording systems, and electronic circuitry to implement such methods.

Abstract: In general, the invention provides two-sided magnetic data storage tape comprising azimuthal magnetic transition layouts that can substantially reduce demagnetization of recorded magnetic transitions on the surfaces of the tape. The invention specifically balances the goal of simplified media manufacture with the goal of reducing or avoiding media degradation when the tape is spooled. The two-sided magnetic data storage tape defines a substantially similar easy axis of magnetic anisotropy on a first and a second side of the tape, which can simplify media manufacture. Recorded magnetic transitions on the opposing sides of the tape define azimuths that are substantially different, which can help avoid media degradation when the tape is spooled.

Abstract: The invention is directed to patterns of amplitude-based servo windows that eliminate the need for conventional track identification marks, and various servo writing devices and head configurations that facilitate creation of such servo patterns. The patterns of servo windows may also eliminate the need for conventional synchronization marks. In accordance with the invention, the patterns of servo windows, themselves, can distinguish one track from another track in one or more servo bands and inherently provide synchronization without the need for synchronization marks between servo frames. In other words, the same amplitude-based servo windows that define the centerlines of the tracks can be arranged to provide track identification information and possibly inherent synchronization information.

Abstract: The invention is directed to patterns of amplitude-based servo windows that eliminate the need for conventional track identification marks, and various servo writing devices and head configurations that facilitate creation of such servo patterns. The patterns of servo windows may also eliminate the need for conventional synchronization marks. In accordance with the invention, the patterns of servo windows, themselves, can distinguish one track from another track in one or more servo bands and inherently provide synchronization without the need for synchronization marks between servo frames. In other words, the same amplitude-based servo windows that define the centerlines of the tracks can be arranged to provide track identification information and possibly inherent synchronization information.

Abstract: The invention is directed to patterns of amplitude-based servo windows that eliminate the need for conventional track identification marks, and various servo writing devices and head configurations that facilitate creation of such servo patterns. The patterns of servo windows may also eliminate the need for conventional synchronization marks. In accordance with the invention, the patterns of servo windows, themselves, can distinguish one track from another track in one or more servo bands and inherently provide synchronization without the need for synchronization marks between servo frames. In other words, the same amplitude-based servo windows that define the centerlines of the tracks can be arranged to provide track identification information and possibly inherent synchronization information.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a highly permeable magnetic layer proximal to a recording layer. During recording, the permeable magnetic layer modifies the recording field from a recording head to produce consistently shaped recording transitions with a significant perpendicular component. The transitions are consistently shaped even though the distance between the recording head and the surface of the medium may change. Transitions so formed result in a reduction of noise from the medium surface roughness. The permeable magnetic layer further reduces noise caused by stray dipole fields.

Abstract: In general, the invention relates to a data storage tape including servo information on both sides of the tape. Techniques for writing servo information to both sides of the data storage tape are also described. For example, a mechanical arrangement of two servo write heads positioned with respect to the data storage tape can enable two-sided servo recording. In addition, a single servo write head may be used to write servo information to both sides of the data storage tape with the aid of a flux conductor. In that case, the magnetic field of the servo write head passes through the data storage tape to record servo information on both sides of the tape.

Abstract: A magneto-optic head includes a magnetic layer formed to have a substantially stabilized magnetic domain configuration. The magnetic layer includes a set of magnetic domains that includes one or more magnetic domains that are oriented such that they are substantially parallel to a major axis of the magnetic layer. In exemplary embodiments, the magnetic layer is deposited over a non-magnetic substrate and patterned, e.g., etched, in such a way that ordered magnetic domains form within the magnetic layer. For example, the magnetic layer may be patterned to have a height and width-to-height aspect ratio that yields one or more magnetic domains that are oriented such that they are substantially parallel to a major axis of the magnetic layer. In some embodiments, two magnetic layers are antiferromagnetically exchange coupled such that each magnetic layer includes a magnetic domain that is oriented substantially parallel to the major axis of that magnetic layer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a magnetic storage medium recorded with an amplitude-based servo pattern in which one or more first servo windows positioned above a centerline of a servo track have a different width than one or more second servo windows positioned below the centerline. The first servo windows may be larger or smaller than the second servo windows. In either case, by detecting the widths of the servo windows and detecting signal amplitude as a servo head passes relative to the servo track, servo tracking can be achieved without the use or need for additional synchronization marks in the servo pattern.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a highly permeable magnetic layer proximal to a recording layer. During recording, the permeable magnetic layer modifies the recording field from a recording head to produce consistently shaped recording transitions with a significant perpendicular component. The transitions are consistently shaped even though the distance between the recording head and the surface of the medium may change. Transitions so formed result in a reduction of noise from the medium surface roughness. The permeable magnetic layer further reduces noise caused by stray dipole fields.

Abstract: A data cartridge includes a housing having a surface resistivity in a range of approximately 106 ohms/square to approximately 1012 ohms/square, a non-tape storage medium contained within the housing, circuitry contained within the housing for accessing the non-tape storage medium, and an externally accessible electrical connector supported by the housing and electrically coupled to the circuitry.

Abstract: A system is described including a disk-based data cartridge that contains a plurality of disk drives, and that physically conforms to industry standard dimensions for magnetic data tape cartridges. A tape drive emulator receives the disk-based data cartridge and stores data within the plurality of disk drives in accordance with a format that emulates a tape storage format. A controller within the tape drive emulator utilizes RAID techniques to store data on the plurality of disk drives, thereby achieving increased performance, fault tolerance, or combinations thereof. A host computing device communicates the data to the tape drive emulator via a tape drive communication protocol. An automation unit selectively retrieves the disk-based data cartridge from a data tape cartridge library and engages the disk-based data cartridge with the tape drive emulator.

Abstract: Time-based servopositioning systems, methods, formats, and data recording media used in association with the same, employing bands of signals that differ from each other in the polarity of the servo signal, or the orientation of the servo signal, or the pattern width of the servo signal.

Abstract: A system and method to minimize the contribution of head channel spacing to the negative effects of transverse changes in dimensions of recording media having prerecorded servopositioning tracks. Multiple channels on the recording head are separated into multiple groups of head channels, and each group of heads is independently positioned relative to the pre-written servo tracks. The head comprises an actuator for each pair of head groups. The actuator adjusts the relative spacing between members of the pair in response to position error signals indicating misalignment between the heads and the pre-written servopositioning tracks on the medium.

Abstract: Magnetic data storage media having recording layers that include microscopic surface protrusions are described. A recording head of a magnetic drive may contact the protrusions, i.e., the protrusion tops may define a load bearing surface area of the recording layers of such media. The heights of the protrusions under the recording head and distribution of the protrusions on the recording layers of such media may be substantially uniform. The load bearing surface area may be relatively small when compared to the total surface areas of the recording layers of such media. Also, the average distance between any two adjacent protrusions on such media may be defined based on the length of bits recorded thereon.

Abstract: Time-based servopositioning systems, methods, formats, and data recording media used in association with the same, employing full amplitude recording signals to improve the available signal as media thicknesses decrease.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a highly permeable magnetic layer proximal to a recording layer. During recording, the permeable magnetic layer modifies the recording field from a recording head to produce consistently shaped recording transitions with a significant perpendicular component. The transitions are consistently shaped even though the distance between the recording head and the surface of the medium may change. Transitions so formed result in a reduction of noise from the medium surface roughness. The permeable magnetic layer further reduces noise caused by stray dipole fields.

Abstract: A system is described including a data tape cartridge carrying a non-tape storage medium, and a tape drive emulator that receives the data tape cartridge and stores data on the medium in a format that emulates a tape storage format. The tape drive emulator sequentially records the data within the logical storage areas of the non-tape storage medium, and maintains a library of tape marks on the storage medium to indicate locations within the stored data files. The library of tape marks may indicate, for example, file marks, sequential file marks, block marks, and other demarcations within the stored data. The tape drive emulator makes use of the library of tape marks to access the non-tape storage medium in response to tape access commands from a host computing devices.