Apparatus and media for recording data on two sides of a magnetic tape

A tape drive for reading/writing data on a two-sided magnetic recording tape having first and second recording surfaces, located on first and second sides, respectively, of said magnetic recording tape, wherein said magnetic recording tape is wound on a source reel, comprising:

• takeup reel means for transporting said magnetic recording tape from said source reel;
• tape path means for guiding said magnetic recording tape along a tape path from said source reel to said takeup reel means;
• first head means, having read/write elements for reading/writing data on said first recording surface of said two-sided magnetic tape, located juxtaposed to said tape path such that said read/write elements of said first head means are proximate to said first recording surface of said magnetic recording tape when said magnetic recording tape is guided along said tape path;
• second head means, having read/write elements for reading/writing data on said second recording surface of said two-sided magnetic tape, located juxtaposed to said tape path such that said read/write elements of said second head means are proximate to said second recording surface of said magnetic recording tape when said magnetic recording tape is guided along said tape path;
• wherein said read/write elements of said first head means and said second head means are oriented to create magnetic fields that are angularly displaced with respect to each other;
• wherein said first head means is located proximate to said second head means and on opposite sides of said magnetic recording tape when said magnetic recording tape is guided along said tape path;
• wherein said read/write elements of both said first head and said second head means face said magnetic recording tape;
• wherein said read/write elements of said first head means create magnetic fields that magnetically orient a region of said first recording surface along a first vector in a direction coplanar with said first recording surface;
• wherein said read/write elements of said second head means create magnetic fields that magnetically orient a region of said second recording surface along a second vector in a direction coplanar with said second recording surface;
• and
• wherein said first and second vectors are angularly displaced with respect to each other.

A tape drive system for reading/writing data on a two-sided magnetic recording tape having first and second recording surfaces, located on opposite sides, respectively, of said magnetic recording tape, wherein said magnetic recording tape is transported along a predetermined tape path in said tape drive system, said tape drive system comprising:

• first head means, having read/write elements for reading/writing data on said first recording surface of said two-sided magnetic tape, and located juxtaposed to said tape path such that said read/write elements of said first head means are proximate to said first recording surface of said magnetic recording tape when said magnetic recording tape is guided along said tape path;
• second head means, having read/write elements for reading/writing data on said second recording surface of said two-sided magnetic tape, and located juxtaposed to said tape path and on a side of said magnetic tape opposite from said first head means such that said read/write elements of said second head means are proximate to said second recording surface of said magnetic recording tape when said magnetic recording tape is guided along said tape path;
• and
• wherein said read/write elements of said first head means and said second head means are oriented to create magnetic fields for reading/writing data on said magnetic recording tape, which magnetic fields are angularly displaced with respect to each other.