US 6,618,216 B2 · Digital tape drive

Abstract

One aspect of the invention is a digital audio tape (DAT) drive having a plurality of read and write heads. Each of the read and write heads has its own parameters, such as a cut-off frequency and a boost value of a read head, a write current of a write head, etc. The parameters of each head are stored in registers and used when an electrical signal representing digital data is to be written to or read from a magnetic tape is processed. When the electrical signal to be written or to have been read by a specific head is processed, the parameters of the specific head will be provided to an equalizer or a pre-amplifier. In the reading process, because the optimum cut-off frequency and boost value are used for a specific read head, the processed electrical signal more accurately represents the digital data recorded on the magnetic tape. In the writing process, the optimum write current to a specific write head makes the write head generate a sufficient magnetic field to magnetize the write head. Therefore, the reliability of read and write operations of a DAT drive is greatly improved.

Claims36

Dependent claims

A magnetic tape drive, comprising:

a plurality of read heads capable of scanning a magnetic tape and producing a first electrical signal representing magnetization of the magnetic tape;
a plurality of write heads capable of magnetizing a magnetic tape in accordance with a second electrical signal provided thereto;
a plurality of first memory circuits each one of which stores a parameter for each one of the plurality of read heads;
a first modifying circuit capable of modifying the first electrical signal by using the read head parameters stored in the plurality of first memory circuits;
a plurality of second memory circuits each one of which stores a parameter for each one of the plurality of write heads;
a second modifying circuit capable of modifying the second electrical signal by using the write head parameters stored in the plurality of second memory circuits;
and
an activation circuit capable of selectively activating the plurality of first and second memory circuits to provide the parameters stored therein to either of the first or second modifying circuits;
wherein each of the head parameters is a fixed parameter that is specifically provided according to a property of the respective head, and wherein each of the head parameters is unrelated to the magnetic tape.

6 more elements

A method of processing electrical signals read from or written to a magnetic tape, comprising:

providing a plurality of read heads adapted to scan a magnetic tape and produce a first electrical signal representing magnetization of the magnetic tape;
providing a plurality of write heads adapted to magnetize a magnetic tape in accordance with a second electrical signal provided thereto;
providing a plurality of first memory circuits each one of which stores a parameter for each one of the plurality of read heads;
providing a first modifying circuit for modifying the first electrical signal by using the read head parameters stored in the plurality of first memory circuits;
providing a plurality of second memory circuits each one of which stores a parameter for each one of the plurality of write heads;
providing a second modifying circuit for modifying the second electrical signal by using the write head parameters stored in the plurality of second memory circuits;
and
providing an activation circuit for selectively activating the plurality of the first and second memory circuits to provide the parameters stored therein to either of the first or second modifying circuits;
wherein each of the head parameters is a fixed parameter that is specifically provided according to a property of the respective head, and wherein each of the head parameters is unrelated to the magnetic tape.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Digital tape drive

Life of this patent

Digital tape drive

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims36