Data band identification for tape servo system using multiple servo bands
AssigneeQuantum LTO Holdings, LLC
InventorsTurguy Goker, Laurie J. Mintz
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Abstract
A magnetic tape and servo elements of a magnetic head for reading and writing to the magnetic tape can ascertain servo band signals from different servo bands that are vertically aligned and adjacent to one another. When operating in a write or read mode, at least two servo elements can be activated to respond to a write/read operation based on a determined position across a width of the servo bands in the magnetic tape. The determined position is based on various pattern combinations from different servo band identifiers from the servo band signals.
Claims22
A magnetic tape comprising:
- a plurality of servo bands comprising corresponding servo band signals to be read by servo elements of a magnetic head;
- and
- a plurality of pattern combinations comprising servo band identifiers of the corresponding servo band signals from different servo bands of the plurality of servo bands;
- wherein a pattern combination of the plurality of pattern combinations indicates a vertical position that is associated with the servo elements of the magnetic head among the plurality of servo bands when performing at least one of:
- a write operation or a read operation to the magnetic tape.
An apparatus of a magnetic tape, comprising
- a magnetic head comprising a first servo element configured to read a first servo signal from a first servo band of the magnetic tape, and a second servo element configured to read a second servo signal from a second servo band of the magnetic tape;
- a processing device, coupled to the magnetic head, configured to determine a vertical location of the magnetic head among a plurality of servo bands along a width of the magnetic tape based on a pattern combination formed by servo band identifiers from the first servo signal and the second servo signal, and generate at least one of:
- a write operation, or a read operation, based on the vertical location of the magnetic head.
A non-transitory computer-readable storage device storing computer-executable instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for identifying a position of a magnetic head on a magnetic tape, the method comprising:
- reading, via at least two servo band elements concurrently, a plurality of servo band signals of a plurality of servo bands that are vertically adjacent to one another and vertically aligned along the magnetic tape;
- deriving servo band identifiers associated with the plurality of servo band signals that identify the plurality of servo bands;
- and
- in response to performing at least one of:
- a write operation or a read operation:
- determining a pattern combination from among a plurality of pattern combinations based on the servo band identifiers;
- and
- determining a position of the magnetic head among the plurality of servo bands based on the pattern combination.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.