Self-clocking write head

In a magnetic recording system wherein a magnetic record form and a transducing assembly including a data recording means are moved relatively, one with respect to the other, along a path and wherein the system includes control circuitry responsive to a time base control and a data signal for controlling the recording of data on said record form, the improved transducing assembly comprising, in combination:

• a writing device,
• a reading device aligned with said writing device along said path and spaced downstream therefrom in relation to the direction of said relative movement,
• variable frequency generating means connected to said control circuitry,
• a reference signal generator for delivering a reference signal to said writing device to record an indication thereof on said record,
• said reading device producing a derived signal in response to reading of said recorded indication of said reference signal,
• means for measuring the time lapse between said reference signal and said derived signal,
• time base control computing means responsive to said measuring means for controlling said variable frequency generating means in accordance with the relative velocity of said record form and said transducing assembly, and
• means automatically causing a further operation of said reference signal generator to deliver a further reference signal to said writing device whereby a revised variable frequency is obtained upon changes in relative velocity.