Abstract:
A monitor for sensing the instantaneous speed of a magnetic medium utilizing a single magnetic head having a first leg coupled to a signal generator and a second leg to a pulse peak detector for recording and detecting a timing signal as an incremental portion of the magnetic recording medium traverses the nonmagnetic gap defined by the head. The head is incorporated in a magnetic recording apparatus as a permanent part of the apparatus or in a portable probe. An output from the peak detector energizes the signal generator such that the frequency of the detected signals is a function of the instantaneous speed of the recording medium.
Abstract:
Phase encoded binary data is recorded on a storage medium such as magnetic tape. In reading the data from the medium, a read signal is produced that includes data pulses at regular intervals and phase pulses between at least some of the data pulses. Upon the occurrence of each data pulse, a blanking pulse of shorter duration than the interval between data pulses is generated. The read signal is transmitted to a utilization circuit only in the absence of blanking pulses. As the interval between data pulses changes due to variations in transport speed of the medium, the width of the blanking pulses changes proportionately so the ratio of the duration of the blanking pulses to the interval between data pulses remains constant. Specifically, the blanking pulses are generated by a monostable multivibrator that is triggered by the data pulses produced in reading. The duration of the quasistable state of the multivibrator is controlled by a directcurrent voltage derived from the multivibrator output.
Abstract:
A technique particularly useful for measuring the flying characteristics of a magnetic recording head on an air bearing adjacent a rotating disk is described. According to this technique one of a plurality of magnetic transducers mounted in the moving disk records a line of signals of known amplitude and wavelength on a magnetic recording surface placed on the recording head being evaluated. The signal amplitude is read from this line of recorded signals as the disk rotates, and the relative spacing between the head and disk at two points on the head is determined from the relative amplitudes of the signals from the two points. In this way, the pitch, roll and deformation of the recording head can be measured in a dynamic situation.
Abstract:
IN AN ARRANGEMENT FOR DISCRIMINATING A PULSE SIGNAL ON AN AMPLITUDE BASIS, THE THRESHOLD LEVEL AT WHICH AMPLITUDE DISCRIMINATION TAKES PLACE IS CHANGED FROM ONE VALUE TO ANOTHER DEPENDING UPON THE PATTERN OF THE PULSE SIGNAL. IN PARTICULAR TO NRZ DATA, A HIGH THRESHOLD LEVEL IS NORMALLY MAINTAINED. AFTER A PULSE IS SENSED AT THE HIGH THRESHOLD LEVEL, A LOW THRESHOLD LEVEL IS SUBSTITUTED FOR THE HIGH THRESHOLD LEVEL. AMPLITUDE DISCRIMINATION CONTINUES AT THE LOW THRESHOLD LEVEL AS LONG AS PULSES ARE SENSED IN EACH DATA BIT CELL. WHEN A GAP APPEARS IN THE PULSE PAT-
TERN, I.E. PULSES FAIL TO APPEAR IN ONE OR MORE BIT CELLS, THE HIGH THRESHOLD LEVEL IS REESTABLISHED. BOTH ASYNCHRONOUS AND SYNCHRONOUS ARRANGEMENTS ARE DISCLOSED FOR DETERMINING THE OCCURRENCE OF A GAP IN PULSE PATTERN TO REESTABLISH THE HIGH THRESHOLD LEVEL.
Abstract:
Method and apparatus for positioning a magnetic transducer adjacent the recording medium on a face of a magnetic recording disk is provided. Information is recorded on the disk in one or more information zones with an information head arranged adjacent each of these zones. A control zone provided on a face of the disk is adjacent a control transducer which is coupled to the information heads. The heads are also coupled to a mechanical position controller for positioning the heads radially on the disk. Recorded in the control zone are a plurality of magnetic transitions in lines extending at an angle relative to a disk radius. In a short segment, neglecting disk curvature, the magnetic regions bounded by the transition lines are in the form of interlaced trapezoids, and the recording medium moves relative to the control transducer in a direction parallel to the parallel sides of the trapezoids. The time required for the magnetic transducer to travel from one magnetic transition to the next is therefore a function of the transducer''s position between the parallel sides of the trapezoid, that is, the radial position relative to the disk. The time interval so measured is compared with a reference time signal to generate an error signal which is fed back to the mechanical position control so that the magnetic transducers are positioned in the desired position.
Abstract:
A technique is provided for measuring the magnetic gap length of a magnetic transducer, particularly useful when the gap length is only a few microns as is the case in modern transducers for highdensity recording. According to this technique, a magnetic signal of known frequency is written on a magnetic recording medium with a recorded wavelength being in the same order of magnitude as the magnetic gap length of the recording transducer. The same transducer is then employed for reading the recorded magnetic signals and the signal amplitude is measured over a very short frequency band so that the effect of most noise accompanying the signal is eliminated. These operations are repeated over a series of recorded wavelengths spanning the wavelength where the ratio of magnetic gap length to wavelength is about 0.88 at which point a signal minimum or null is observed. Knowing the frequency of the signal minimum permits a determination of the gap length.
Abstract:
IN A MULTIPLE CHANNEL TAPE HANDLING SYSTEM, THE SKEW ERROR ATTRIBUTABLE TO AZIMUTH MISALIGNMENT OF THE TAPE IS CORRECTED BY INTRODUCING PROPORTIONAL VARIABLE TIME DELAYS INDIVIDUAL TO THE CHANNELS. THE SKEW ERROR ATTRIBUTABLE TO GAP SCATTER OF THE READ HEAD IS CORRECTED BY INTRODUCING FIXED TIME DELAYS INDIVIDUAL TO THE CHANNELS. SPECIFICALLY, FIXED RESISTORS INDIVIDUAL TO THE CHANNELS ON THE TAPE DETERMINE THE GAP SCATTER CORRECTION AND A SINGLE VARIABLE RESISTOR DETERMINES THE AZIMUTH CORRECTION.