Abstract: Provided is a magnetic tape that includes a data band, including servo patterns, data, and a guard space. The servo patterns is formed along a longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape with an interval provided between each of the servo patterns, each of the servo patterns formed across a full width of the data band. The data is disposed between the servo patterns. The guard space is disposed between each of the servo patterns and the data.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying signal degradation in a tape drive is disclosed in which a data signal read from the tape drive and the signal characteristics of the undecoded portion of the data stream are compared with a set of known values. The undecoded portion of the data may comprise the preamble portion of the signal and the comparison set of known values may be saved to local storage on the tape drive. If the comparison of the signal characteristics of the undecoded portion of the data stream and the known set of signal values indicates that data signal is degraded, a notification is generated that indicates that the signal at the tape drive is degraded.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for adjusting the track pitches of the tracks on a data storage tape. In one variation, the method comprises adjusting the observed pitch between the tracks by applying variable amounts of pressure on the surface of the tape. In another variation, the pressure is applied to a localized region on the tape. The pressure can be modulated to induces a change in the physical characteristic of the tape in and around the area where pressure is applied. In another aspect, an apparatus is configured with a magnetic read-head for detecting written tracks on a magnetic tape, and an actuator is provided to apply pressure on the tape to control the track pitch of the written tracks.

Abstract: A head apparatus includes: a head unit where a plurality of magnetic elements, which carry out reproducing and/or recording on data tracks on a magnetic tape, are disposed at equal intervals on a first straight line; a moving mechanism that moves the head unit; and a controller that carries out tracking control to cause the moving mechanism to move the head unit and keep the magnetic elements on the data tracks. The moving mechanism can rotate the head unit so as to increase or decrease an angle between a second straight line along a width of the magnetic tape and the first straight line. During tracking control, the controller causes the moving mechanism to rotate the head unit so as to increase or decrease the angle in accordance with changes in an interval between the data tracks and keep the respective magnetic elements on the respective data tracks.

Abstract: A magnetic tape of the present invention includes a plurality of data bands in which a data signal can be recorded and servo pattern portions composed of a burst signal. The servo pattern portions are formed at a predetermined interval in a longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape in a plurality of data bands, and positions of the servo pattern portions formed in the respective data bands in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape vary. According to such a configuration, a magnetic tape can be provided, which is traced stably by the magnetic head even if the magnetic tape is deformed due to temperature and humidity.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a data storage medium that includes a plurality of servo bands distributed across the data storage medium and a plurality of data tracks positioned between each of the plurality of distributed servo bands. The data storage medium comprises a servo band pitch of less than 200 micrometers. The large number of servo bands distributed across the data storage medium with a relatively small servo band pitch reduces the influence of media dimensional instability. In this way, the invention may substantially increase data read head positioning accuracy, especially in the case of narrow track widths. A read head array arranged in a two-dimensional matrix that includes a first servo read head, a second servo read head, and a plurality of data read heads positioned between the first and second servo read heads may be applied to a data storage medium as described herein.

Abstract: A tape head designed for transducing data on a magnetic recording tape that is subject to tape dimensional changes. The tape head includes two or more arrays of transducer elements having different transducer spacing distances corresponding to different track spacing distances to be transduced. One of the transducer arrays may be used for transducing the tape under nominal tape track spacing conditions. Another transducer array may be used for transducing the tape when the tape track spacing is reduced due to the tape shrinkage. Still another transducer array may be used for transducing the tape when the tape track spacing is enlarged due to tape expansion.

Abstract: A magnetic storage media includes a magnetic first-pole polarity initialized servo track segment and a magnetic second-pole polarity differential timing based servo pattern recorded on the magnetic first-pole polarity initialized servo track segment. The magnetic second-pole polarity differential timing based servo pattern represents magnetic encoded servo position information for facilitating a determination of a servo position error signal exclusive of noise.