Synchronous servo channel for longitudinal position detection and position error signal generation in tape drive systems

Abstract

A fully synchronous longitudinal position (LPOS) detection system is provided for improving the reliability of servo channels in tape systems. The system is based on the interpolation of the servo channel output signal, which is sampled by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) at a fixed sampling rate, using a clock at a nominal frequency, so that interpolated signal samples are obtained at a predetermined fixed rate, independent of tape velocity. This predetermined fixed rate is defined in terms of samples per unit of length, as opposed to samples per unit of time, which is the measure of the ADC sampling rate. The resolution with which the servo channel signal is obtained at the interpolator output is thus determined by the step interpolation distance.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates generally to servo channel architecture in a magnetic tape storage system and, in particular, to a synchronous servo channel architecture. BACKGROUND ART [0002] Timing-based servo (TBS) is a technology developed specifically for linear tape drives in the late '90s. In TBS systems, recorded servo patterns consist of transitions with two different azimuthal slopes, and head position is derived from the relative timing of pulses generated by a narrow head reading the pattern. TBS patterns also allow the encoding of additional longitudinal position (LPOS) information without affecting the generation of the transversal position error signal (PES). This is obtained by shifting transitions from their nominal pattern position, as shown in FIG. 1. In tape systems there are typically available two dedicated servo channels from which LPOS information as well as PES can be derived. The timing-based track-following servo for linear tape system...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a system that improves the reliability of servo channels in tape systems by using interpolation to detect the position of the tape. This is done by sampling the servo channel output signal at a fixed rate, independent of tape velocity. The system uses a clock to define a fixed rate at which samples are obtained, resulting in a higher resolution of the servo channel signal. This results in a more accurate detection of the tape's position.

Problems solved by technology

This approach has the following severe limitations: a) The A / D converter sampling frequency has to change with the tape velocity if a constant rate expressed in number of samples per micrometer that is independent of tape velocity is desired.

c) No reliable LPOS detection is possible during acceleration and deceleration, i.e., during the phase at which the velocity is changing towards the target velocity.

d) Peak detection is not the optimum detection scheme for the LPOS pattern, which is generated using pulse position modulation (PPM) techniques.

f) There is no possibility to have a measure of reliability of the LPOS detection process.

Clearly, such a resolution is not adequate when one wants to resolve LPOS pulse position modulation of + / −0.25 μm.

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