Method and apparatus for reducing data loss errors in a magnetic tape device

In a tape transport device moving a tape medium over a moveable head, a method for reducing data errors induced by physical defects of said tape medium and mechanical misalignment between said tape medium and said moveable head, said method comprising the steps of:

• reading position and motion data from a portion of said tape medium in advance of said portion of said tape medium encountering said moveable head;
• detecting data speed of said portion of said tape medium from said motion data;
• determining from said position data whether said portion of said tape medium and said moveable head are misaligned;
• adjusting, responsive to said detecting step, speed of said tape medium over said moveable head;
• and
• adjusting, responsive to said determining step, position of said moveable head.

In a tape transport device having a tape medium and a moveable head, an apparatus for reducing data errors induced by data speed changes in said tape medium and misalignment of said tape medium with said moveable head, said apparatus comprising:

• at least one sensor positioned in said tape transport devices in advance of the position where said tape medium encounters said moveable read, head for reading motion and position data of said tape medium;
• means for determining said misalignment of said tape medium with said moveable head from said position data;
• means for detecting data speed of said tape medium from said motion data;
• and
• control means, responsive to said means for determining and means for detecting, for moving said moveable head to compensate for the misalignment of said tape medium with respect to said moveable head and controlling movement of said tape medium past said moveable head to compensate for speed errors of said tape medium.