Data storage cartridge having a calibrated servo format region and methods for using same
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorRobert G. Biskeborn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tape cartridge according to one aspect includes a tape formatted with a timing-based servo pattern having at least two servo tracks thereon. The tape cartridge also includes a persistent memory device having stored therein a value corresponding to a difference between a specified distance between adjacent servo tracks and an average distance between adjacent servo tracks on the tape. The average distance is an average of actual distances between adjacent servo tracks over a portion of the tape. The persistent memory device also stores environmental condition data and drive condition data pertaining to the average distance. Various methods for using such a tape cartridge are also disclosed.
Claims25
A tape cartridge, comprising:
- a tape formatted with a timing-based servo pattern having at least two servo tracks thereon;
- and
- a persistent memory device having stored therein a value corresponding to a difference between a specified distance between adjacent servo tracks and an average distance between adjacent servo tracks on the tape,
- wherein the average distance is an average of actual distances between adjacent servo tracks over a portion of the tape,
- the persistent memory device also storing environmental condition data and drive condition data pertaining to the average distance.
A method of calibrating a tape drive, the method comprising:
- obtaining a tape having stored therewith data of an average servo track span of a portion of the tape;
- measuring a servo track span of the tape using a module of a tape drive running the tape;
- calculating a value by comparing the measured servo track span to the average servo track span;
- and
- storing the value in memory.
A method of calibrating a tape, the method comprising:
- loading a tape in a tape drive, the tape drive having a module of known servo reader span;
- taking servo track span measurements along a portion of the tape;
- computing an average of the servo track span measurements;
- calculating a difference between the average of the servo track span measurements and the known servo reader span;
- and
- storing the difference in association with the tape.
A method for checking a tape for aging, the method comprising:
- loading a tape in a drive having a module of known servo reader span;
- taking servo track span measurements along a portion of the tape;
- computing an average of the servo track span measurements;
- comparing the computed average of the servo track span measurements to an average servo track span derived from servo track span data created for the tape at an earlier date;
- and
- taking an action in response to a result of the comparing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.