Split band multichannel magnetic recording head having scaled reader widths
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorRobert Biskeborn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, includes an inner array of data transducers on a module, the data transducers of the inner array being aligned along a common axis that extends between distal ends of the module. Two outer arrays of data transducers are positioned to sandwich the inner array therebetween. Inner servo readers are positioned between the inner array and the outer arrays. Outer servo readers are positioned toward outer ends of the outer arrays. Widths of at least some of the outermost data transducers in the inner array are less than widths of at least some of the innermost data transducers in the inner array.
Claims20
An apparatus, comprising:
- an inner array of data transducers on a module, the data transducers of the inner array being aligned along a common axis that extends between distal ends of the module;
- two outer arrays of data transducers positioned to sandwich the inner array therebetween;
- inner servo readers positioned between the inner array and the outer arrays;
- and
- outer servo readers positioned toward outer ends of the outer arrays,
- wherein widths of at least some of the outermost data transducers in the inner array are less than widths of at least some of the innermost data transducers in the inner array,
- wherein a pitch between data transducers in the inner array is about the same as a pitch between at least some of the data transducers in each outer array.
An apparatus, comprising:
- an inner array of data transducers on a module, the data transducers of the inner array being aligned along a common axis that extends between distal ends of the module;
- two outer arrays of data transducers positioned to sandwich the inner array therebetween;
- inner servo readers positioned between the inner array and the outer arrays;
- and
- outer servo readers positioned toward outer ends of the outer arrays,
- wherein widths of at least some of the outermost data transducers in the inner array are less than widths of at least some of the innermost data transducers in the inner array,
- a drive mechanism for passing a magnetic medium over the module;
- and
- a controller electrically coupled to the module,
- wherein the controller is configured to simultaneously transduce data on two data bands of a magnetic recording tape using all of the arrays, and perform track following using at least the outer servo readers.
A method, comprising:
- passing a magnetic recording tape having a plurality of data bands over a module having:
- an inner array of data transducers on a module, the inner array being aligned along a common axis that extends between distal ends of the module,
- two outer arrays of data transducers positioned to sandwich the inner array therebetween,
- inner servo readers positioned between the inner array and the outer arrays, and
- outer servo readers positioned toward outer ends of the outer arrays, wherein widths of at least some of the outermost data transducers in the inner array are less than widths of at least some of the innermost data transducers in the inner array;
- and
- simultaneously transducing data on two of the data bands using the data transducers of the inner and outer arrays.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.