Magnetic tape unit device, storage system, magnetic head cleaning method, controller and magnetic tape

Abstract

The invention discloses magnetic tape unit equipment, a storage system, a magnetic head cleaning method, a controller and a magnetic tape, and relates to the technical field of magnetic tapes. According to the magnetic tape, the data tape body for storing data and the cleaning tape body for cleaning the magnetic head are integrated together, and the magnetic head in the magnetic tape unit equipment is cleaned by utilizing the cleaning tape body part on the magnetic tape, so that the magnetic tape does not need to be manually pulled out of and inserted into the magnetic tape unit equipment, and the time consumed for plugging the magnetic tape into and out of the magnetic tape unit equipment is reduced; the cleaning time of the magnetic head is shortened, so that the interruption time of the data access service caused by cleaning the magnetic head is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of magnetic tape technology, and in particular to a magnetic tape drive, storage system, magnetic head cleaning method, controller, and magnetic tape. Background Technology

[0002] In magnetic tape storage and access implementations, magnetic heads read and write data on the tape. After a period of use, dirt, degraded magnetic particles, and other impurities may accumulate on the surface of the magnetic heads, affecting the bit error rate of data reading and writing. Therefore, magnetic head cleaning is necessary. Furthermore, failure to clean the magnetic heads for an extended period can lead to permanent damage.

[0003] Currently, in magnetic head cleaning, the user removes the magnetic tape from the tape drive, inserts a cleaning tape, and the cleaning tape cleans the magnetic heads. After cleaning is complete, the user removes the cleaning tape and inserts the magnetic tape again. Performing one magnetic head cleaning cycle requires two tape removals and two tape insertions, resulting in a significant interruption to data access in the tape system. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a magnetic tape drive, storage system, magnetic head cleaning method, controller, and magnetic tape to achieve automated magnetic head cleaning and reduce the interruption time of data access services caused by magnetic head cleaning.

[0005] In a first aspect, this application provides a magnetic tape drive device, which includes a base, a magnetic head disposed on the base, a magnetic tape, and a magnetic tape driver. The magnetic tape integrates a data tape for storing data and a cleaning tape for cleaning the magnetic head. The magnetic tape drive uses the magnetic tape driver to move the magnetic tape, causing the tape to align with either the data tape or the cleaning tape.

[0006] Based on the first aspect, the magnetic tape integrates the data tape for storing data and the cleaning tape for cleaning the magnetic heads together, and uses the cleaning tape portion on the magnetic tape to clean the magnetic heads in the magnetic tape drive. This eliminates the need for removing and inserting the magnetic tape, reducing the time spent inserting and removing the magnetic tape from the magnetic tape drive and shortening the magnetic head cleaning time, thereby reducing the interruption time of data access services caused by magnetic head cleaning.

[0007] In one alternative implementation, the magnetic head accesses the data tape when the tape drive aligns the data tape. Conversely, the magnetic head cleans the data tape when the tape drive aligns the cleaning tape.

[0008] In this way, the magnetic head can be cleaned using a cleaning tape integrated on the magnetic tape, eliminating the need to remove and insert the magnetic tape, thereby reducing the interruption time of data access services caused by cleaning the magnetic head.

[0009] In one alternative implementation, the cleaning tape and the data tape are connected along the length of the magnetic tape. Alternatively, the cleaning tape and the data tape are connected along the width of the magnetic tape.

[0010] In this way, by driving the tape drive to wind the tape along its length or along its width, the tape drive can align the tape with the cleaning tape, thereby cleaning the magnetic head using the cleaning tape.

[0011] In one optional implementation, the cleaning tape includes a first cleaning region and a second cleaning region. When the cleaning tape and the data tape are connected along the length of the magnetic tape, the first cleaning region is located at the beginning of the magnetic tape, the second cleaning region is located at the end of the magnetic tape, and the data tape is located between the first and second cleaning regions.

[0012] Based on this optional implementation, two cleaning areas are provided, with the data tape located between the two cleaning areas. In the implementation of magnetic head cleaning, the tape travel distance can be reduced, the magnetic head cleaning time can be shortened, thereby reducing the business interruption time caused by magnetic head cleaning.

[0013] In one optional implementation, the cleaning tape includes multiple cleaning areas. When the cleaning tape and data tape are connected along the length of the magnetic tape, the multiple cleaning areas are alternately arranged with the data tape along the length of the magnetic tape.

[0014] This reduces the distance the tape needs to move from aligning the data tape to aligning the cleaning tape, thus reducing the head cleaning time and consequently shortening service interruption caused by head cleaning. Furthermore, providing multiple cleaning zones extends the lifespan of the cleaning tape, thereby increasing the overall lifespan of the magnetic tape.

[0015] In one alternative implementation, the connection between the cleaning tape and the data tape along the width of the magnetic tape is specifically implemented as follows: the cleaning tape includes a cleaning sub-tape, which is disposed on one side of the magnetic tape.

[0016] Thus, when the magnetic head needs to be cleaned, by driving the magnetic tape to move along the width of the tape, the magnetic head can press against the cleaning tape, reducing the distance the tape travels and thus shortening the business interruption time caused by magnetic head cleaning.

[0017] In one optional implementation, the connection between the cleaning tape and the data tape along the width direction of the magnetic tape is specifically implemented as follows: the cleaning tape includes two cleaning sub-tapes; wherein, the first cleaning sub-tape is located on the first side of the magnetic tape, and the second cleaning sub-tape is located on the second side of the magnetic tape; the data tape is located between the first cleaning sub-tape and the second cleaning sub-tape.

[0018] Based on this optional implementation, cleaning sub-tapes are provided on both sides of the magnetic tape. During the magnetic head cleaning process, the distance that the magnetic tape needs to move from aligning the data tape to aligning the cleaning tape can be shortened, thereby reducing the magnetic head cleaning time and thus shortening the business interruption time caused by magnetic head cleaning.

[0019] In one optional implementation, the connection between the cleaning tape and the data tape along the width of the magnetic tape is specifically implemented as follows: the cleaning tape includes multiple cleaning sub-tapes, and the data tape includes multiple data sub-tapes. When the cleaning tape and the data tape are connected along the width of the magnetic tape, the multiple cleaning sub-tapes and the multiple data sub-tapes are alternately arranged along the width of the magnetic tape.

[0020] Based on this optional implementation, multiple cleaning sub-tapes and multiple data sub-tapes are arranged along the width of the magnetic tape. During the head cleaning process, the distance the tape needs to move from aligning with the data sub-tapes to aligning with the cleaning sub-tapes can be shortened, thereby reducing the head cleaning time and consequently reducing the service interruption time caused by head cleaning. Furthermore, providing multiple cleaning areas can improve the lifespan of the cleaning sub-tapes, thus increasing the lifespan of the magnetic tape.

[0021] In one alternative implementation, the tape drive device uses a tape driver to drive the tape to move, specifically by: the tape drive device using a tape driver to drive the tape to wind along the length direction of the tape, or the tape drive device using a tape driver to drive the tape to move along the width direction of the tape.

[0022] Optionally, when the cleaning tape and the data tape are connected along the width direction of the magnetic tape, the magnetic tape driver drives the magnetic tape to move along the width direction of the magnetic tape.

[0023] Optionally, when the cleaning tape and the data tape are connected along the length of the magnetic tape, the tape driver drives the tape to wind along the length of the magnetic tape.

[0024] In this way, the distance that the magnetic tape needs to move from aligning the data tape to aligning the cleaning tape can be shortened during the magnetic head cleaning process, thereby reducing the magnetic head cleaning time and thus shortening the business interruption time caused by magnetic head cleaning.

[0025] In one alternative implementation, the tape drive further includes a control unit. This control unit is mounted on the base of the tape drive. The control unit can control the tape drive to align the data tape according to I / O requests, enabling the read / write head to access the data stored in the data tape, and can also control the tape drive to align the cleaning tape according to cleaning requests, causing the read / write head to press against the cleaning tape for cleaning the read / write head.

[0026] Thus, automated cleaning of the magnetic head can be achieved by using control components.

[0027] In one alternative implementation, the magnetic tape also integrates a verification tape for detecting whether the cleaned magnetic head has been successfully cleaned.

[0028] In this way, the cleaning effect of the magnetic head can be automatically evaluated by using the verification tape.

[0029] In one alternative implementation, the verification tape and the cleaning tape are set adjacent to each other.

[0030] Based on this optional implementation method, the verification tape and the cleaning tape are arranged adjacent to each other. After the magnetic head cleaning is completed, the magnetic tape can be moved a short distance to align with the verification tape, thereby enabling the evaluation of the cleaning effect of the cleaned magnetic head.

[0031] In one alternative implementation, the adjacent arrangement of the verification tape and the cleaning tape is specifically implemented as follows: when the data tape and the cleaning tape are connected along the length of the magnetic tape, the verification tape and the cleaning tape are arranged adjacent to each other along the length of the magnetic tape.

[0032] Optionally, the verification tape includes a first cleaning area and a second cleaning area. Optionally, the first cleaning area is located at the beginning of the magnetic tape, and the second cleaning area is located at the end of the magnetic tape. The data tape is located between the first verification area and the second verification area. The first verification area is located between the first cleaning area and the data tape, and the second verification area is located between the data tape and the second cleaning area.

[0033] Optionally, the first verification area is located at the beginning of the magnetic tape, the second verification area is located at the end of the magnetic tape, and the data tape body is located between the first cleaning area and the second cleaning area. The first cleaning area is located between the first verification area and the data tape body, and the second cleaning area is located between the data tape body and the second verification area.

[0034] Based on this optional implementation method, a verification tape is added to the magnetic tape. After the magnetic head is cleaned, the magnetic tape can be moved a short distance to align with the verification tape, thereby enabling the evaluation of the cleaning effect of the cleaned magnetic head.

[0035] In one alternative implementation, the adjacent arrangement of the verification tape and the cleaning tape is specifically implemented as follows: when the data tape and the cleaning tape are connected along the width direction of the magnetic tape, the verification tape and the cleaning tape are arranged adjacent to each other along the width direction of the magnetic tape.

[0036] In this way, after the magnetic head is cleaned, the magnetic tape can be moved a short distance to align with the verification tape, thus enabling the evaluation of the cleaning effect of the cleaned magnetic head.

[0037] In one alternative implementation, a control component is further provided on the base of the tape drive. This control component is connected to the tape drive. The control component can control the tape drive to align the tape with the verification tape body, so that the cleaned magnetic head aligns with the verification tape body, and can also control the tape drive to align the tape with the data tape body, so that the cleaned magnetic head aligns with the data tape body, based on a verification request.

[0038] In this way, the cleaning effect of the cleaned magnetic head is automatically evaluated by the control components.

[0039] In one optional implementation, the control unit acquires a first read / write error rate of the magnetic head, and, if the first read / write error rate satisfies the cleaning strategy, controls the tape drive to align the magnetic tape with the cleaning tape. The cleaning strategy indicates the conditions that trigger the magnetic head cleaning operation.

[0040] This enables automated driving of the magnetic tape and automated cleaning of the magnetic head.

[0041] In one alternative implementation, the magnetic tape also integrates a verification tape for detecting whether the cleaned magnetic head has been successfully cleaned. This verification tape is positioned adjacent to the cleaning tape.

[0042] The control unit is also used to control the tape drive to align the verification tape and obtain the second read / write error rate of the cleaned heads on the verification tape. If the second read / write error rate indicates successful head cleaning, the control unit drives the tape drive to align the data tape. If the second read / write error rate indicates failed head cleaning, the control unit drives the tape drive to align the cleaning tape.

[0043] Thus, by adding a verification tape to the tape drive equipment, the cleaning effect of the magnetic head can be automatically evaluated using control components.

[0044] In one optional implementation, the control unit comprises a chip, a data acquisition unit, and an actuator. The chip is connected to both the data acquisition unit and the actuator, and the actuator is connected to a tape drive.

[0045] Optionally, the collector is used to obtain the first read / write error rate of the magnetic head and transmit the first read / write error rate to the chip.

[0046] The chip is used to send a first instruction to the executor if the first read / write error rate meets the cleaning strategy.

[0047] The actuator is used to respond to the first command to control the tape drive to drive the tape to align the cleaning tape, so that the cleaning tape cleans the magnetic head.

[0048] In this way, by using chip-controlled acquisition and actuators, automated tape driving and automated head cleaning can be achieved.

[0049] In one alternative implementation, the chip is further configured to send a second instruction to the actuator. The actuator, in response to the second instruction, controls the tape drive to align the tape with the verification tape, enabling the cleaned magnetic head to read and write data on the verification tape. The data acquisition unit is further configured to acquire the second read / write error rate of the cleaned magnetic head on the verification tape and send this second read / write error rate to the chip. If the second read / write error rate indicates successful cleaning of the magnetic head, the chip is further configured to send a third instruction to the actuator. The actuator, in response to the third instruction, controls the drive to align the tape with the data tape, enabling the cleaned magnetic head to access the data tape. Thus, by adding a verification tape to the tape drive and using the chip to control the data acquisition unit and actuator, the cleaning effect of the magnetic head can be automatically evaluated.

[0050] In one alternative implementation, the tape drive is an integrated tape drive. This integrated tape drive includes a housing. The housing includes communication components for connecting external devices. The inner surface of the housing forms a cavity with the base. The magnetic tape, magnetic heads, and tape drive are disposed within the cavity.

[0051] Based on this optional implementation method, placing the magnetic tape, magnetic head, and magnetic tape driver inside the cavity can prevent magnetic powder from falling out, thereby effectively improving the read and write signal capability of the magnetic head in the magnetic tape drive and thus increasing the service life of the magnetic tape drive.

[0052] Secondly, this application provides a storage system that includes one or more magnetic tape drive devices as described in the first aspect or any of the optional implementations of the first aspect.

[0053] In one alternative implementation, the storage system further includes a controller. This controller controls the tape drive of the tape drive to drive the tape of the tape drive to align the tape with the data tape of the tape drive, and controls the magnetic head of the tape drive to access the data tape of the tape drive.

[0054] Alternatively, the controller is used to control the tape drive of the tape drive to drive the tape of the tape drive to align the tape of the tape drive with the cleaning tape of the tape drive, so that the cleaning tape of the tape drive cleans the magnetic head of the tape drive.

[0055] Thirdly, this application provides a magnetic head cleaning method. During the processing of a data access request by the tape drive, the processor controls the tape drive to align the tape with the data tape body, enabling the magnetic head to access the data tape body. The processor acquires a first read / write error rate of the magnetic head on the data tape body. If the first read / write error rate satisfies a cleaning strategy, the processor controls the tape drive to align the tape with a cleaning tape body, enabling the cleaning tape body to clean the magnetic head. The cleaning strategy indicates the conditions that trigger the magnetic head cleaning operation.

[0056] Based on the third aspect, during the magnetic head cleaning process, the decision to perform head cleaning is determined by the first read / write error rate of the magnetic head. If head cleaning is determined to be performed, the magnetic tape is driven to align the cleaning tape, allowing the cleaning tape to clean the magnetic head, thus achieving automated head cleaning. Since the magnetic tape contains the cleaning tape, the head cleaning process does not require disk removal or insertion, thereby shortening the head cleaning time and reducing the business interruption time caused by head cleaning.

[0057] In one optional implementation, the tape drive further includes a verification tape. After the processor controls the tape drive to align the tape with the cleaning tape, the processor receives and responds to a verification request, controlling the tape drive to align the tape with the verification tape, allowing the cleaned head to read and write data on the verification tape. The processor also obtains a second read / write error rate (BER) for the cleaned head on the verification tape. The processor determines whether the BER indicates successful head cleaning. If the BER indicates successful head cleaning, the processor controls the tape drive to align the tape with the data tape, allowing the cleaned head to access the data stored in the data tape. If the BER indicates failed head cleaning, the processor controls the tape drive to align the tape with the cleaning tape, allowing the cleaning tape to clean the cleaned head again.

[0058] In this way, the second read / write error rate of the cleaned magnetic head on the verification tape is used to detect whether the cleaning of the magnetic head is successful, thus realizing the automated evaluation of the cleaning effect of the magnetic head.

[0059] In one optional implementation, the cleaning strategy includes: a first cleaning level, a second cleaning level, a first cleaning operation strategy corresponding to the first cleaning level, and a second cleaning operation strategy corresponding to the second cleaning level. The cleaning level is determined based on a first read / write error rate.

[0060] Optionally, the cleaning level corresponding to the second cleaning level is less than the cleaning level corresponding to the first cleaning level. Accordingly, the first cleaning operation strategy is used to instruct the processor to control the tape drive to align the tape with the cleaning tape body and perform a magnetic head cleaning operation when the tape drive is in an idle state.

[0061] The second cleaning operation strategy is used to instruct the suspension of data access services for the tape drive equipment. The processor controls the tape drive to drive the tape alignment and cleaning tape body, and performs the magnetic head cleaning operation.

[0062] In this way, the cleaning operation of the magnetic head can be automatically scheduled by using the cleanliness level, thus realizing the automated cleaning of the magnetic head.

[0063] In one alternative implementation, the processor can be a control component within the tape drive. Alternatively, the processor can be a controller connected to the tape drive.

[0064] Thus, the cleaning of magnetic heads can be automated by utilizing the internal control components or external controllers of the magnetic tape drive.

[0065] Fourthly, this application provides a controller. The controller is applied to a magnetic tape drive device according to the first aspect or any optional implementation thereof. The controller includes a processor and a memory. The processor executes instructions stored in the memory to cause the controller to perform the operational steps provided by the third aspect or any optional implementation thereof.

[0066] Fifthly, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium includes computer instructions. When the computer instructions are executed in an electronic device, the electronic device implements the operational steps of the method provided in the third aspect or any optional implementation of the third aspect. For example, the electronic device may be a controller provided in the fourth aspect, a magnetic tape drive provided in the first aspect, or a storage system provided in the second aspect.

[0067] Sixthly, this application provides a computer program product. When the computer program product is run on an electronic device, the electronic device implements the operational steps of the method provided in the third aspect or any optional implementation of the third aspect. For example, the electronic device may be a controller provided in the fourth aspect, a magnetic tape drive provided in the first aspect, or a storage system provided in the second aspect.

[0068] Seventhly, this application provides a magnetic tape. The magnetic tape integrates a data tape body and a cleaning tape body. The data tape body is used to store data. The cleaning tape body is used to clean the magnetic head aligned with the cleaning tape body.

[0069] In one alternative implementation, the cleaning tape comprises a base tape, a back layer, and a magnetic layer.

[0070] The baseband includes a first side and a second side along its thickness direction. The first side and the second side are disposed opposite to each other. A back layer is disposed on the second side of the baseband to reduce static electricity buildup and dust accumulation on the cleaning tape. A magnetic layer is disposed on the first side of the baseband to remove impurities from the surface of the magnetic head.

[0071] In one alternative implementation, the cleaning tape and the data tape are connected along the length of the magnetic tape. Alternatively, the cleaning tape and the data tape are connected along the width of the magnetic tape.

[0072] In one optional implementation, the cleaning tape includes a first cleaning region and a second cleaning region. When the cleaning tape and the data tape are connected along the length of the magnetic tape, the first cleaning region is located at the beginning of the magnetic tape, the second cleaning region is located at the end of the magnetic tape, and the data tape is located between the first and second cleaning regions.

[0073] In one optional implementation, the cleaning tape includes multiple cleaning areas. When the cleaning tape and data tape are connected along the length of the magnetic tape, the multiple cleaning areas are alternately arranged with the data tape along the length of the magnetic tape.

[0074] In one alternative implementation, the connection between the cleaning tape and the data tape along the width of the magnetic tape is specifically implemented as follows: the cleaning tape includes a cleaning sub-tape, which is disposed on one side of the magnetic tape.

[0075] In one optional implementation, the cleaning tape body includes two cleaning sub-tape bodies; wherein, the first cleaning sub-tape body is located on the first side of the magnetic tape, and the second cleaning sub-tape body is located on the second side of the magnetic tape; the data tape body is located between the first cleaning sub-tape body and the second cleaning sub-tape body.

[0076] In one optional implementation, the cleaning tape body includes multiple cleaning sub-tape bodies, and the data tape body includes multiple data sub-tape bodies. When the cleaning tape body and the data tape body are connected along the width direction of the magnetic tape, the multiple cleaning sub-tape bodies and the multiple data sub-tape bodies are alternately arranged along the width direction of the magnetic tape.

[0077] In one alternative implementation, the magnetic tape also integrates a verification tape for detecting whether the cleaned magnetic head has been successfully cleaned.

[0078] In this way, the cleaning effect of the cleaned magnetic head can be evaluated by verifying the tape.

[0079] In one alternative implementation, the verification tape and the cleaning tape are set adjacent to each other.

[0080] In one alternative implementation, when the data tape and the cleaning tape are connected along the length of the magnetic tape, the verification tape and the cleaning tape are arranged adjacent to each other along the length of the magnetic tape.

[0081] Optionally, the verification tape includes a first cleaning area and a second cleaning area. Optionally, the first cleaning area is located at the beginning of the magnetic tape, and the second cleaning area is located at the end of the magnetic tape. The data tape is located between the first verification area and the second verification area. The first verification area is located between the first cleaning area and the data tape, and the second verification area is located between the data tape and the second cleaning area.

[0082] Optionally, the first verification area is located at the beginning of the magnetic tape, the second verification area is located at the end of the magnetic tape, and the data tape body is located between the first cleaning area and the second cleaning area. The first cleaning area is located between the first verification area and the data tape body, and the second cleaning area is located between the data tape body and the second verification area.

[0083] In one alternative implementation, the data tape and the cleaning tape are connected along the width of the magnetic tape, and the verification tape and the cleaning tape are set adjacent to each other along the width of the magnetic tape.

[0084] In this way, after the magnetic head is cleaned, the magnetic tape can be moved a short distance to align with the verification tape, thus enabling the evaluation of the cleaning effect of the cleaned magnetic head.

[0085] The beneficial effects of aspects four through six can be found in the description of aspect three or any optional implementation thereof, and will not be repeated here. The beneficial effects of aspect seven can be found in the description of aspect one or any optional implementation thereof, and will not be repeated here. Based on the implementations provided in the above aspects, this application can be further combined to provide more implementations. Attached Figure Description

[0086] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a data access system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0087] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the magnetic tape drive device provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 1 ;

[0088] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a reel and magnetic tape provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0089] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the data tape provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0090] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cleaning belt provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0091] Figure 6A A schematic diagram of the magnetic tape structure provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 1;

[0092] Figure 6B A schematic diagram of the magnetic tape structure provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 2 ;

[0093] Figure 6C A schematic diagram of the magnetic tape structure provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 3 ;

[0094] Figure 6D A schematic diagram of the magnetic tape structure provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 4 ;

[0095] Figure 6E A schematic diagram of the magnetic tape structure provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 5 ;

[0096] Figure 7A Sixth schematic diagram of the magnetic tape structure provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0097] Figure 7B Schematic diagram seven of the magnetic tape structure provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0098] Figure 7C A schematic diagram of the magnetic tape structure provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 8 ;

[0099] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the control component provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0100] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the structure of the magnetic tape drive device provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 2 ;

[0101] Figure 10 A flowchart illustrating the magnetic head cleaning method provided in this application embodiment. Figure 1 ;

[0102] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the magnetic head cleaning evaluation process provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 1 ;

[0103] Figure 12 A flowchart illustrating the magnetic head cleaning method provided in this application embodiment. Figure 2 ;

[0104] Figure 13 A schematic diagram of the magnetic head cleaning evaluation process provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 2 ;

[0105] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the controller provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0106] Currently, the magnetic head cleaning process involves removing and inserting magnetic tapes, as well as removing and inserting cleaning tapes, which is time-consuming. This results in prolonged interruptions to data access services.

[0107] Based on this, in order to achieve automated magnetic head cleaning and reduce the interruption of data access services caused by magnetic head cleaning, this application provides a magnetic tape drive device. This magnetic tape drive device integrates the data tape for storing data and the cleaning tape for cleaning magnetic heads together, and uses the cleaning tape portion on the magnetic tape to clean the magnetic heads in the magnetic tape drive device. There is no need to remove and insert the magnetic tape from the magnetic tape drive device, which reduces the time spent on inserting and removing the magnetic tape from the magnetic tape drive device, shortens the magnetic head cleaning time, and thus reduces the interruption of data access services caused by magnetic head cleaning.

[0108] Specifically, the tape drive includes a base, a magnetic head mounted on the base, a magnetic tape comprising a data tape body and a cleaning tape body interconnected therewith, and a tape drive. The tape drive can drive the magnetic tape to move, aligning the tape body with either the data tape body or the cleaning tape body. When the tape drive aligns the tape body with the data tape body, the magnetic head accesses the data tape body. When the tape drive aligns the tape body with the cleaning tape body, the cleaning tape body cleans the magnetic head.

[0109] The technical solutions involved in this application may be applied not only to current magnetic tape technology or storage devices, but also to future magnetic tape technology or storage devices, or to storage systems including magnetic tape drive devices or storage devices. The terminology used in the embodiments section of this application is only for explaining specific embodiments of this application and is not intended to limit this application. A brief introduction to some concepts that may be involved in this application is given below.

[0110] Storage medium: A storage material used to record sound, images, digital signals, or other signals. This storage material may include, but is not limited to, magnetic tape, such as a tape-shaped material with a magnetic layer used to record sound, images, digital signals, or other signals. Magnetic tape contains a magnetic medium, such as magnetic powder, for storing data. For example, changes in the magnetic field in this magnetic medium are typically achieved by coating a plastic film substrate (support) with a layer of granular magnetic material or by evaporating and depositing a layer of magnetic oxide or alloy film. The substrate of magnetic tape may include, but is not limited to, paper, celluloid, or polyester film.

[0111] Magnetic head: A component that reads and writes data on magnetic tape using magnetic principles. It is divided into write heads and read heads. Write heads record data by magnetizing and changing the magnetic field of the magnetic medium (such as magnetic powder), while read heads read data from the magnetic medium by sensing its magnetic field.

[0112] Head Cleaning Tape: Also known as a cleaning tape body or cleaning tape, this application does not limit the comparison. The cleaning tape is used to clean the magnetic head. Typically, the cleaning tape contains cleaning material or a wetting agent. In the process of cleaning the magnetic head with the cleaning tape, the cleaning material or wetting agent on the surface of the cleaning tape removes dirt, degraded magnetic particles, and other impurities adhering to the surface of the magnetic head. Alternatively, the surface of the cleaning tape is rough. In the process of cleaning the magnetic head with the cleaning tape, the rough surface of the cleaning tape contacts the magnetic head and generates friction, which removes dirt, degraded magnetic particles, and other impurities adhering to the surface of the magnetic head. Specifically, the surface structure of the cleaning tape can be referred to as follows: Figure 5 The provided embodiments are not described in detail here.

[0113] Bit Error Rate (BER): Also known as the read / write error rate of a magnetic head (hereinafter referred to as BER). BER refers to the probability that an error will occur when the magnetic head reads or writes data. An error occurs when the actual data read (written) by the magnetic head differs from the theoretically expected data read (written).

[0114] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0115] In the following description, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0116] Furthermore, in this application, directional terms such as "upper" and "lower" are defined relative to the orientation of the components shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these directional terms are relative concepts, used for relative description and clarification, and can change accordingly depending on the orientation of the components in the accompanying drawings.

[0117] Figure 1 This application provides a schematic diagram of the structure of a data access system. The data access system includes a data access device 100 and a storage device 120. Figure 1 In the application scenario shown, users access data through applications. The computer running these applications can be referred to as a "computing device".

[0118] Data access device 100 can be a physical machine, a virtual machine, or a container. The physical machine can include, but is not limited to, one or both a client and a smart NIC. For example, data access device 100 includes a client, such as a host, desktop computer, server, laptop, or mobile device. Another example is that data access device 100 includes a smart NIC. This smart NIC, also known as a smart network adapter, in addition to performing the network transmission functions of a standard NIC, provides a built-in programmable and configurable hardware acceleration engine to improve application performance and significantly reduce the CPU consumption of the central processing unit (CPU) in the host connected to the smart NIC during communication, thus providing more CPU resources for the application. For example, in a highly virtualized environment, the CPU in the host machine needs to run tasks related to the open virtual switch (OVS). Simultaneously, the CPU also handles operations such as storage, online or offline encryption / decryption of data packets, deep packet inspection, firewall management, and complex routing. These operations not only consume significant CPU resources but also, due to competition for CPU resources between different services, prevent the services from achieving optimal performance. Smart network interface cards (NICs), acting as hubs connecting various services, accelerate these operations.

[0119] In one possible example, data access device 100 accesses storage device 120 via a network to access data; for example, the network may include switch 110.

[0120] In another possible example, data access device 100 may also communicate with storage device 120 via a wired connection, such as a universal serial bus (USB) or a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) bus.

[0121] Figure 1 The storage device 120 shown can be a centralized storage system. A key feature of a centralized storage system is a unified entry point through which all data from external devices passes; this entry point is the engine 121 of the centralized storage system. The engine 121 has management functions, and many advanced functions of the storage system are implemented within it.

[0122] like Figure 1 As shown, engine 121 may have one or more controllers. Figure 1The following example illustrates the concept of engine 121 containing one controller. In one possible example, if engine 121 has multiple controllers, any two controllers can have a mirror channel, enabling any two controllers to serve as backups for each other, thereby preventing hardware failures from causing the entire storage device 120 to become unavailable. It should be understood that if engine 121 includes multiple controllers, then engine 121 can also be referred to as the array controller of storage device 120.

[0123] Engine 121 also includes a front-end interface 1211 and a back-end interface 1214. The front-end interface 1211 is used to communicate with the data access device 100 to provide data access services to the data access device 100. The back-end interface 1214 is used to communicate with hard drives to expand the capacity of the storage device 120. Through the back-end interface 1214, engine 121 can connect to more hard drives, thereby forming a very large storage resource pool.

[0124] In terms of hardware, such as Figure 1 As shown, the controller includes at least a processor 1212 and memory 1213. The processor 1212 is a central processing unit (CPU) used to process data access requests from outside the storage device 120 (servers or other storage systems), and also to process requests generated internally by the storage device 120. For example, when the processor 1212 receives write data requests from the data access device 100 through the front-end interface 1211, it temporarily stores the data in these write data requests in memory 1213. When the total amount of data in memory 1213 reaches a certain threshold, the processor 1212 sends the data stored in memory 1213 to at least one of the following hard drives for persistent storage: a mechanical hard drive 1221, a solid-state drive (SSD) 1222, a tape drive 200, or another hard drive 1224, through a back-end port.

[0125] Memory 1213 refers to internal memory that directly exchanges data with the processor. It can read and write data at any time and at high speed, serving as temporary data storage for the operating system or other running programs. Memory includes at least two types of memory, such as random access memory (RAM) or read-only memory (ROM). For example, RAM can be DRAM or SCM. DRAM is a semiconductor memory and, like most RAM, is a type of volatile memory device. However, DRAM and SCM are merely illustrative examples in this embodiment; memory can also include other types of RAM, such as static random access memory (SRAM). For read-only memory, examples include programmable read-only memory (PROM) and erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM). Additionally, memory 1213 can also be a dual in-line memory module (DIMM), i.e., a module composed of dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or an SSD. In practical applications, the controller can be configured with multiple memory modules 1213, and different types of memory modules 1213. This embodiment does not limit the number or type of memory modules 1213. Furthermore, memory modules 1213 can be configured to have a power-saving function. The power-saving function means that when the system loses power and then regains power, the data stored in memory modules 1213 will not be lost. Memory with a power-saving function is called non-volatile memory. Memory modules 1213 store software programs, and processor 1212 can run the software programs in memory modules 1213 to manage the hard disk. For example, the hard disk can be abstracted as a storage resource pool, and the storage resource pool can be provided to the server in the form of logical unit numbers (LUNs). Here, the LUN is actually the hard disk seen on the server. Of course, some centralized storage systems are also file servers themselves, and can provide shared file services to the server.

[0126] like Figure 1As shown, in this system, engine 121 may not have a hard drive slot; the hard drive needs to be placed in disk enclosure 122, and the back-end interface 1214 communicates with disk enclosure 122. The back-end interface 1214 exists in the form of an adapter card within engine 121, and two or more back-end interfaces 1214 can be used simultaneously on one engine 121 to connect multiple disk enclosures. Alternatively, the adapter card can be integrated onto the motherboard, in which case the adapter card can communicate with processor 1212 via the PCIe bus.

[0127] It should be noted that, Figure 1 Only one engine 121 is shown in the figure. However, in actual applications, the storage system may contain two or more engines 121, and redundancy or load balancing may be performed between multiple engines 121.

[0128] The disk enclosure 122 includes a control unit 1225 and several hard drives. The control unit 1225 can have various forms. In one case, the disk enclosure 122 is a smart disk enclosure, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the control unit 1225 includes a CPU and memory. The CPU is used to perform operations such as address translation and reading / writing data. The memory is used to temporarily store data to be written to the hard disk or to read data from the hard disk to be sent to the controller. Alternatively, the control unit 1225 is a programmable electronic component, such as a data processing unit (DPU). A DPU has the versatility and programmability of a CPU, but is more specialized, capable of efficiently operating on network packets, storage requests, or analysis requests. A DPU differs from a CPU by its high degree of parallelism (the ability to handle a large number of requests). Optionally, the DPU can be replaced by a graphics processing unit (GPU), an embedded neural network processing unit (NPU), or other processing chips. Typically, there can be one, two, or more control units 1225. The functions of the control unit 1225 can be offloaded to the network interface card (NIC) 1226. In other words, in this embodiment, the disk drive 122 does not contain a control unit 1225; instead, the NIC 1226 performs data reading / writing, address translation, and other computational functions. At this point, network interface card 1226 is a smart network interface card. It can contain a CPU and memory. The CPU is used to perform address translation and data reading / writing operations. Memory is used to temporarily store data to be written to the hard drive or to read data from the hard drive to be sent to the controller. It can also be a programmable electronic component, such as a DPU. There is no ownership relationship between network interface card 1226 and hard drives in disk enclosure 122; network interface card 1226 can access any hard drive in disk enclosure 122 (e.g., ...). Figure 1The mechanical hard drive 1221, solid-state drive 1222, tape drive device 200 and other hard drives 1224 shown are examples of hard drives that make it easier to expand hard drives when storage space is insufficient.

[0129] In this embodiment, the tape drive device 200 refers to a memory that includes a magnetic tape medium. In hardware implementation, the tape drive device may include, but is not limited to, a magnetic tape, a magnetic head, and a tape drive. The tape drive is used to reel in the magnetic tape, and the magnetic head is used to access the tape, such as writing data to or reading data from the tape. Specific implementation details of the tape drive device are provided below. Figures 2 to 11 The embodiments shown are not described in detail here.

[0130] Depending on the type of communication protocol between engine 121 and disk enclosure 122, disk enclosure 122 may be a serially attached small computer system interface (SAS) disk enclosure, an NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) disk enclosure, or other types of disk enclosures. SAS disk enclosures use the SAS 3.0 protocol, and each enclosure supports 25 SAS hard drives. Engine 121 connects to disk enclosure 122 via an onboard SAS interface or a SAS interface module. NVMe disk enclosures function more like a complete computer system, with NVMe hard drives inserted into them. The NVMe disk enclosure then connects to engine 121 via an RDMA port. In some cases, engine 121 may also be referred to as a hard drive management device or storage controller.

[0131] In terms of hardware implementation, the disk enclosure 122 can be installed in a storage system (such as a hard disk enclosure), or the disk enclosure 122 can be encapsulated and set up independently. When the disk enclosure 122 exists independently, the disk enclosure 122 can also be called a storage device or a storage system. This application does not limit this.

[0132] In one alternative implementation, storage device 120 is a centralized storage system integrating disk and controller. Storage device 120 does not have the aforementioned disk enclosure 122, and engine 121 is used to manage multiple hard drives connected via hard drive slots. The functionality of the hard drive slots can be implemented by backend interface 1214.

[0133] In some alternative implementations, storage device 120 is a distributed storage system. The distributed storage system includes a cluster of compute nodes and a cluster of storage nodes. The compute node cluster includes one or more compute nodes that can communicate with each other. Compute nodes can be servers, desktop computers, or controllers of storage arrays, etc. Hardware-wise, compute nodes can include processors, memory, and network interface cards (NICs), etc. The processor is a CPU used to process data access requests from outside the compute node or requests generated internally within the compute node. For example, when the processor receives a write data request from a user, it temporarily stores the data in the write data request in memory. When the total amount of data in memory reaches a certain threshold, the processor sends the data stored in memory to the storage node for persistent storage. In addition, the processor is also used for data computation or processing, such as metadata management, deduplication, data compression, virtualization of storage space, and address translation. In the embodiments provided in this application, the storage node can be a tape drive or other types of hard disks, etc. It is understood that the storage system described in the embodiments of this application can be a distributed storage system integrating storage and computing, or a distributed storage system separating storage and computing; this application does not limit this.

[0134] For example, a distributed storage system can be implemented using network attached storage (NAS) technology. NAS refers to a network storage architecture that provides storage resources through file-level data access and sharing over an Internet Protocol (IP) network. In a NAS scenario, the NAS is an external device for the server / host, used to provide file-level storage space for the server / host in the distributed storage system.

[0135] It is worth noting that the above examples are merely possible implementations of the data access system provided in this embodiment and should not be construed as limiting this application. For example, Figure 1In the storage device 120 shown, data is stored as files on various hard drives. The files stored on each hard drive constitute a file storage system, which could be a distributed file system, such as a network file system (NFS). NFS is both a distributed file system and a network protocol used for accessing and sharing files between devices on the same local area network. For example, a NAS system can be implemented using the NFS protocol. A network file system is a low-cost network file-sharing option that allows users and applications to access, store, and update files on remote computers, just like using direct-attached storage. Network file systems use the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) protocol to route requests between clients and servers. While participating devices need to support network file systems, they do not need to know the details of the network. It is worth noting that RPC can be insecure, so network file systems should only be deployed on trusted networks behind firewalls. Although Windows supports this protocol, it is primarily used in Linux environments.

[0136] Regarding the aforementioned tape drive device 200, this application provides an optional example, such as... Figure 2 As shown, Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a magnetic tape drive device provided in this application Figure 1 The tape drive device 200 can be used to implement the functions of the tape drive device 200 described above. In this document, the tape drive device may also be referred to as a tape media storage device, a tape all-in-one device, an all-in-one tape disk, an all-in-one tape drive, or a magneto-electric disk (MED), etc., and this application does not limit it in this way.

[0137] The following is combined Figure 2 The tape drive device 200 is described by way of example and includes: tape 210, tape drive 220, magnetic head 230, reel 201, roller 202, base 203 and control unit 240.

[0138] The reel 201 and the base 203 are rotatably connected, and the magnetic tape 210 is wound onto the reel 201.

[0139] Regarding the structural relationship between the reel 201 and the magnetic tape 210, the following will be combined with... Figure 3 Provided as an example, Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a reel 201 and a magnetic tape 210 provided for this application. Please refer to... Figure 3 The reel 201 includes a reel 2013, a first cover plate 2011, and a second cover plate 2012. The reel 2013 and the aforementioned... Figure 2The base 203 shown is rotatably connected. The magnetic tape 210 is located between the first cover plate 2011 and the second cover plate 2012. The first cover plate 2011 and the second cover plate 2012 can constrain the magnetic tape 210 and prevent the magnetic tape 210 from detaching from the reel 2013. During the rotation of the reel 2013, the first cover plate 2011 and the second cover plate 2012 rotate synchronously.

[0140] The first cover plate 2011 can be as follows: Figure 3 The circular plate-like structure shown can have a second cover plate 2012 as follows: Figure 3 The circular plate-like structure shown.

[0141] The embodiments of this application do not limit the shape of the first cover plate 2011 and the second cover plate 2012. For example, the first cover plate 2011 can be a circular, square, elliptical, or irregularly shaped plate. Similarly, the second cover plate 2012 can be a circular, square, elliptical, or irregularly shaped plate. The shape of the first cover plate 2011 can be the same as or different from the shape of the second cover plate 2012.

[0142] For example, the connection between the first cover plate 2011 and the roll 2013 can be achieved by welding, snap-fitting, or bonding. Similarly, the connection between the second cover plate 2012 and the roll 2013 can be achieved by welding, snap-fitting, or bonding.

[0143] Please return Figure 2 The tape drive device 200 includes two reels 201. The first end of the tape 210 is wound on one reel 201, and the last end of the tape 210 is wound on the other reel 201.

[0144] During the tape winding process of the magnetic tape 210, in order to prevent the magnetic head 230 from tearing the magnetic tape 210, the roller 202 in the tape drive device 200 can be used to support the tape body of the magnetic tape 210, so that the friction between the magnetic head 230 and the magnetic tape 210 is reduced during the winding process, which is beneficial to improving the service life of the magnetic tape 210.

[0145] Combination Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in the provided embodiments, the magnetic tape 210 is used for storing data and cleaning the magnetic head 230, and the magnetic tape drive 220 is used for driving the magnetic tape 210 to reel in. The magnetic head 230 in the magnetic tape drive device 200 accesses the magnetic tape 210 during the reeling process. The control unit 240 is used to control the speed at which the magnetic tape drive 220 drives the magnetic tape 210 according to the I / O stream, and to control the sliding of the magnetic head 230 to access the tape region in the magnetic tape 210. Furthermore, the control unit 240 is also used to control the direction of movement of the magnetic tape drive 220 driving the magnetic tape 210, and to clean the magnetic head 230 using the magnetic tape 210. The structure of the magnetic tape 210 can be referred to below. Figures 4 to 7CThis application will not elaborate on this point.

[0146] For example, the control unit 240 includes at least a processor, memory, etc., and the structure of the control unit 240 can be referred to the following. Figure 8 The embodiments provided are not described in detail here. The control unit 240 is a CPU used to process data access requests (such as I / O requests) from outside the tape drive device 200 (server or other storage system) or to process requests generated internally by the tape drive device 200. In an optional example, when the control unit 240 receives write data requests sent by a data access device or host through a front-end interface, it temporarily stores the data in these write data requests in memory. When the total amount of data in memory reaches a certain threshold, the control unit 240 stores the data stored in memory onto the tape 210 for persistent storage through a back-end port. In another optional example, the control unit 240 can also control the tape drive 220 to drive the tape to clean the magnetic head 230. The implementation method of the control unit 240 controlling the tape drive 220 to drive the tape to clean the magnetic head 230 can be referred to the following... Figure 10 or Figure 12 The provided embodiments are not described in detail here.

[0147] Please continue reading. Figure 2 As an optional implementation, the tape drive 220 includes a tape reel motor and a voice coil motor (VCM) motor.

[0148] The tape reel motor is used to drive the magnetic tape 210 to wind along its length. For example, the tape reel motor can be used to drive the drum 201 to rewind the magnetic tape 210 wound on the drum 201 in a first direction, a second direction, or stop rewinding. The first direction and the second direction are two opposite directions along the length of the magnetic tape 210.

[0149] The VCM motor is used to drive the magnetic tape 210 to move along the width of the tape 210, allowing the magnetic head 230 to access different areas of the tape 210. The VCM is a direct drive motor, and its working principle includes: a current-carrying coil placed in a magnetic field generates a force, the magnitude of which is proportional to the current applied to the coil. Based on this principle, the VCM moves in a straight line or a circular arc.

[0150] Optionally, the tape drive 220 may also include a stepper motor for fine-tuning the winding position or speed of the tape 210 along its length. This stepper motor is a type of electric motor that converts electrical pulse signals into corresponding angular or linear displacements. For each input pulse signal, the rotor rotates by an angle or moves forward one step; the output angular or linear displacement is proportional to the number of input pulses, and the rotational speed is proportional to the pulse frequency. Therefore, a stepper motor is also called a pulse motor.

[0151] It is worth noting that the tape drive 220 described above are merely examples provided in the embodiments of this application and should not be construed as limiting the application. The tape drive 220 may also include devices such as linear motors, hydraulic cylinders, or pneumatic cylinders, which are not limited in this application.

[0152] As an optional implementation, the magnetic head 230 may include one or both of a write head and a read head. The write head records data by magnetizing and changing the magnetic field of the magnetic medium (such as magnetic powder), while the read head reads data from the magnetic medium by sensing its magnetic field.

[0153] In some alternative configurations, the magnetic head 230 may also include a servo head, which may be divided into a write servo head and a read servo head. Taking the read servo head as an example, the read servo head can determine the position information of the tape 210 based on the address in the IO request, and the tape driver 220 can rewind the tape 210 from its current position to the target tape area indicated by the position information, so that the read data head can read the data stored in the target tape area.

[0154] It is understandable that the tape drive device 200 can also deploy applications (APPs) and drivers. Applications can be used to obtain data access requests (such as read or write requests) or send access responses to the host, such as write or read responses. For example, after an application triggers a read or write operation, the IO data stream is sent to the firmware corresponding to the tape 210 via the driver. The firmware then issues instructions to control the motor to drive the tape 210 in linear addressing. Once the desired tape position is reached, the read / write operation is achieved by the read / write head 230 through ADC / DAC channel encoding and decoding.

[0155] Regarding the structure of magnetic tape 210, the following will be combined with... Figures 4 to 7B The following is an exemplary illustration. In this embodiment, the magnetic tape 210 is capable of supporting data reading and writing as well as head cleaning.

[0156] In one alternative implementation, the magnetic tape 210 includes a data tape body 2101 and a cleaning tape body 2102, and the data tape body 2101 and the cleaning tape body 2102 are interconnected.

[0157] The data tape 2101 is used to store data. The cleaning tape 2102 is used to clean the magnetic head 230.

[0158] The following are combined with Figure 4 and Figure 5 The structures of the data tape 2101 and the cleaning tape 2102 are illustrated by way of example.

[0159] Please see Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the data tape body 2101. In hardware implementation, the data tape body 2101 may include one or more data bands, such as data band 1 to data band 4. Each data band is a data track on the data tape body 2101. Different data bands are separated and positioned by servo tapes, and multiple data bands are arranged side-by-side along the width of the data tape body 2101. Each data band contains multiple wraps, which are the data transfers from one end of the data tape body 2101 to the other. Each wrap includes one or more tracks, and each track is accessed by a read head / write head. The number and size of the data bands in the data tape body 2101 depend on the generation and capacity of the magnetic tape. "Wrap" is a term used in magnetic tape terminology; "wrap" refers to the movement of the head on a data band.

[0160] Taking data tape 1 in data tape body 2101 as an example, data tape 1 includes multiple tracks, such as track 1 and track 2. In data tape body 2101, different tracks are arranged side-by-side along the width direction of data tape body 2101. A track is a magnetic region in data tape body 2101 used for recording data. In magnetic tape technology, data storage on data tape body 2101 is achieved by magnetizing data tape body 2101 with magnetic head 230.

[0161] above Figure 4 The data tape body 2101 shown is only an optional embodiment provided by this application. Depending on the capacity of the data tape body 2101 and user needs, the data tape body 2101 may have more or fewer data tapes, or the data tape body 2101 may have more or fewer magnetic tracks. This application does not limit this.

[0162] The structure of the cleaning belt 2102 is described below as an example.

[0163] Please see Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a structural schematic diagram of the cleaning belt 2102. (See attached diagram.) Figure 5 As shown, the cleaning tape 2102 includes a base tape 21021, a magnetic layer 21022, and a back layer 21023.

[0164] like Figure 5As shown, the baseband 21021 includes a first side and a second side along the thickness direction of the baseband 21021, with the first side and the second side disposed opposite to each other.

[0165] like Figure 5 As shown, the magnetic layer 21022 covers the main surface of the first side of the baseband 21021, and the back layer 21023 covers the main surface of the second side of the baseband 21021.

[0166] The backing layer 21023 is used to reduce static electricity buildup and prevent dust accumulation.

[0167] The baseband 21021 is used to carry the magnetic layer 21022 and the pressure and friction of the magnetic head 230 pressing against the cleaning tape 2102.

[0168] The surface of the magnetic layer 21022 is rough, which is used to remove impurities such as dust, failed magnetic particles, and metal particles from the surface of the magnetic head 230.

[0169] The following two specific examples illustrate the surface roughness of magnetic layer 21022.

[0170] In a first alternative example, the roughness of the first surface of the magnetic layer 21022 is greater than the roughness of the second surface of the magnetic head 230. The first surface is the surface of the magnetic layer 21022 that contacts the magnetic head 230. The second surface is the surface of the magnetic head 230 used for accessing the magnetic tape 210.

[0171] In a second alternative example, the average roughness (Ra) of the centerline of the first surface of the magnetic layer 21022 is between 8 and 16 nanometers (nm).

[0172] In one alternative implementation, the magnetic layer 21022 comprises magnetic powder and a binder, wherein the magnetic powder is used to adsorb metal particles on the surface of the magnetic head 230. The binder is used to remove impurities such as dust, oil stains, and degraded magnetic particles adhering to the surface of the magnetic head 230.

[0173] It should be noted that, Figure 5 The structure of the cleaning tape body 2102 provided is illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the tape drive device provided in the embodiments of this application. In other embodiments, the cleaning tape body 2102 may have other structures. For example, the cleaning tape body 2102 may include a base tape and a back layer, with the surface of the base tape coated with a cleaning agent coating. This cleaning agent coating is used to remove dust and other impurities from the surface of the magnetic head 230. As another example, the cleaning tape body 2102 may include a base tape and a back layer, with the surface of the base tape being rough. The magnetic head 230 presses against the base tape, and the base tape removes dust and other impurities from the surface of the magnetic head 230 by rubbing against it. This application does not limit this aspect.

[0174] Combination Figure 5 As can be seen from the content, the magnetic head 230 presses against the cleaning belt 2102, and the cleaning belt 2102 uses the rough surface of the magnetic layer to rub the surface of the magnetic head 230, and uses the magnetic powder and adhesive on the surface of the magnetic layer to remove impurities such as dust, failed magnetic particles, and metal particles from the surface of the magnetic head 230.

[0175] The following is combined Figures 6A to 6E The connection structure between the data tape 2101 and the cleaning tape 2102 is described.

[0176] As an optional connection structure, the cleaning tape 2102 and the data tape 2101 are connected along the length of the magnetic tape 210.

[0177] The following combination Figures 6A to 6B The connection structure in which the cleaning tape 2102 and the data tape 2101 are connected along the length of the magnetic tape 210 will be described.

[0178] In a first optional connection structure, the cleaning tape 2102 may include a first cleaning region and a second cleaning region. The first cleaning region is located at the beginning of the magnetic tape 210, and the second cleaning region is located at the end of the magnetic tape 210. The data tape 2101 is located between the first and second cleaning regions.

[0179] It should be noted that in this optional connection structure, the cleaning belt 2102 may include a first cleaning area and a second cleaning area.

[0180] like Figure 6A As shown, the cleaning tape 2102 includes a first cleaning area A1 and a second cleaning area A2. The first cleaning area A1 is located at the beginning of the magnetic tape 210, the second cleaning area A2 is located at the end of the magnetic tape 210, and the data tape 2101 is located between the first cleaning area A1 and the second cleaning area A2.

[0181] During the process of the tape drive processing IO access requests, the control unit 240 controls the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to align with the data tape body 2101, so that the magnetic head 230 accesses the data tape body 2101, and drives the tape 210 to wind along the length direction of the tape 210 through the tape drive 220, so that the magnetic head 230 seeks along the magnetic track on the data tape body 2101 to realize data reading and writing.

[0182] During the cleaning process of the magnetic head 230 in the tape drive, the control unit 240 controls the tape driver 220 to drive the tape 210, causing the tape 210 to change from being aligned with the data tape body 2101 to being aligned with the first cleaning area A1 or the second cleaning area A2, thus aligning the magnetic head 230 with the first cleaning area A1 or the second cleaning area A2. The control unit 240 also controls the tape driver 220 to drive the tape 210 to wind along the length of the tape 210, causing the magnetic head 230 to move along the length of the tape 210 in the first cleaning area A1 or the second cleaning area A2. Alternatively, the control unit 240 controls the tape driver 220 to drive the tape 210 to move along the width of the tape 210, causing the magnetic head 230 to move along the width of the tape 210 in the first cleaning area A1 or the second cleaning area A2.

[0183] Figure 6A The provided connection structure provides two cleaning areas, with the data tape body 2101 located between the two cleaning areas. In the implementation of magnetic head 230 cleaning, it can reduce the tape travel distance and shorten the magnetic head cleaning time, thereby shortening the business interruption time caused by magnetic head cleaning.

[0184] In the second optional connection structure, the cleaning tape 2102 may include multiple cleaning areas, which are alternately arranged with the data tape along the length of the tape, and the multiple cleaning areas do not overlap.

[0185] It should be noted that in this optional connection structure, the data tape body 2101 may include multiple data sub-tape bodies, which are arranged side by side at intervals along the length of the magnetic tape 210.

[0186] For example, let's take a cleaning tape comprising three cleaning zones and a data tape comprising three data sub-tapes as an example for illustration. Figure 6B As shown, the cleaning tape body 2102 includes cleaning areas A1, A2, and B1, and the data tape body 2101 includes data sub-tape bodies C1, C2, and C3. Cleaning area A1 is located at the beginning of the magnetic tape 210, and cleaning areas A1, A2, and B1 are arranged side-by-side at intervals along the length of the magnetic tape 210. Cleaning areas A1, A2, and B1 overlap with data sub-tape bodies C1, C2, and C3 along the length of the magnetic tape 210, as shown. Figure 6B As shown, a data sub-tape C1 is provided between cleaning area A1 and cleaning area A2. A data sub-tape C2 is provided between cleaning area A2 and cleaning area B1, and a data sub-tape C3 is provided at the end of magnetic tape 210.

[0187] During the process of the tape drive processing IO access requests, the control unit 240 controls the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to align with the data sub-tapes C1, C2 or C3, so that the magnetic head 230 accesses the data sub-tapes C1, C2 or C3, and drives the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to wind along the length of the tape 210, so that the magnetic head 230 seeks along the tracks on the data sub-tapes C1, C2 or C3, thereby realizing data reading and writing.

[0188] During the cleaning process of the magnetic head 230 in the tape drive, the control unit 240 controls the tape driver 220 to drive the tape 210 to wind along the length of the tape 210, so that the tape 210 changes from being aligned with data sub-tapes C1, C2, or C3 to being aligned with cleaning regions A1, A2, or B1, and the magnetic head 230 is aligned with cleaning regions A1, A2, or B1. The control unit 240 controls the tape driver 220 to drive the tape 210 to wind along the length of the tape 210, so that the magnetic head 230 moves along the length of the tape 210 in cleaning regions A1, A2, or B1.

[0189] Alternatively, the control unit 240 controls the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to move along the width direction of the tape 210, so that the magnetic head 230 moves along the width direction of the tape 210 in the cleaning area A1, cleaning area A2 or cleaning area B1.

[0190] In a first alternative example, during the cleaning of the magnetic head 230 by the tape drive, the control unit 240 controls the tape drive 220 to align the tape 210 with any cleaning area. For example, when the tape 210 is aligned with the data sub-tape C1, the tape drive controls the tape drive 220 to change the alignment of the tape 210 from the data sub-tape C1 to the cleaning area A1.

[0191] In a second alternative example, during the cleaning of the magnetic head 230 by the tape drive, the control unit 240 controls the tape drive 220 to align the tape 210 with the nearest cleaning area. The nearest cleaning area can refer to the cleaning area closest to the data sub-tape currently aligned with the tape 210. For example, if the tape 210 is aligned with data sub-tape C1, the tape drive controls the tape drive 220 to change the alignment of the tape 210 from data sub-tape C1 to cleaning area A1. Alternatively, the nearest cleaning area can also refer to the cleaning area with the shortest tape reel length. For example, if the tape 210 is aligned with data sub-tape C3, the tape drive controls the tape drive 220 to change the alignment of the tape 210 from data sub-tape C3 to cleaning area B1.

[0192] It should be noted that, Figure 6BThe connection method between the cleaning tape 2102 and the data tape 2101 shown is merely illustrative. In practical applications, the cleaning tape 2102 and the data tape 2101 can also have other connection methods. For example, data sub-tape C1 is located at the beginning of the magnetic tape 210, and data sub-tapes C1, C2, and C3 are arranged side-by-side and spaced apart along the length of the magnetic tape 210. The cleaning area B1 is located at the end of the magnetic tape 210, and cleaning area A1 is located between data sub-tapes C1 and C2, while cleaning area A2 is located between data sub-tapes C2 and C1. Data sub-tape C3 is located between cleaning area A2 and cleaning area B1. This application does not limit this to any particular method.

[0193] Figure 6B In the provided embodiment, multiple cleaning areas are arranged side-by-side at intervals on the magnetic tape 210, with each cleaning area alternating with the data tape along the length of the tape. By employing this alternating arrangement of multiple cleaning areas with the data tape along the tape's length, each data sub-tape on the magnetic tape 210 has adjacent cleaning data. This shortens the distance the magnetic tape 210 needs to move from aligning with the data tape 2101 to aligning with the cleaning tape 2102, thereby reducing the cleaning time of the magnetic head 230 and consequently shortening the service interruption time caused by head cleaning. Furthermore, providing multiple cleaning areas extends the lifespan of the cleaning tape 2102, thus increasing the overall lifespan of the magnetic tape.

[0194] The above Figures 6A to 6B Taking the cleaning tape 2102 and data tape 2101 along the length of the magnetic tape 210 as an example, the connection structure of the cleaning tape 2102 and data tape 2101 is illustrated. In other embodiments, the cleaning tape 2102 and data tape 2101 can also be connected along the width of the magnetic tape 210. The following description, in conjunction with... Figures 6C to 6E The connection structure in which the cleaning tape 2102 and the data tape 2101 are connected along the width direction of the magnetic tape 210 will be described.

[0195] In a first alternative connection structure, the cleaning tape body 2102 includes a cleaning sub-tape body. The cleaning sub-tape body can be disposed on one side of the magnetic tape 210, and the length of the cleaning sub-tape body is the same as the length of the data tape body 2101. The cleaning sub-tape body and the data tape body 2101 are connected along the width direction of the magnetic tape 210.

[0196] In the first example, the cleaning sub-tape can be located on one side of the magnetic tape 210, meaning it can be located on the upper side of the magnetic tape 210. For example... Figure 6CAs shown in Figure (a), the magnetic tape 210 includes five tape bodies connected along the width direction of the magnetic tape 210: tape body 1, tape body 2, tape body 3, tape body 4, and tape body 5. Among them, the cleaning sub-tape body is tape body 1 located on the upper side of the magnetic tape 210, and the data tape body 2101 consists of tape bodies 2 to 5 of the magnetic tape 210.

[0197] In the second example, the cleaning sub-tape can be located on one side of the magnetic tape 210, meaning it can be located on the lower side of the magnetic tape 210. For example... Figure 6C As shown in Figure (b), with Figure 6C Compared to the connection diagram shown in (a) in [the diagram], in [the diagram] Figure 6C In the connection diagram shown in Figure (b), the cleaning sub-tape is tape 5 of magnetic tape 210, and the data tape 2101 is tape 1 to tape 4 of magnetic tape 210.

[0198] During the process of the tape drive processing I / O access requests, the control unit 240 controls the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to align with the data tape body 2101, so that the read / write head 230 accesses the data tape body 2101. The control unit 240 controls the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to wind along the length of the tape 210, so that the read / write head 230 seeks along the tracks on the data tape body 2101, thereby realizing data reading and writing.

[0199] During the cleaning process of the magnetic head 230 in the tape drive, the control unit 240 controls the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to move along the width direction of the tape 210, so that the tape 210 changes from aligning with the data tape body 2101 to aligning with the cleaning sub-tape body, so that the magnetic head 230 aligns with the cleaning tape body 2102. The control unit 240 controls the tape drive 220 to drive the tape to wind along the length direction of the tape 210, so that the magnetic head 230 moves along the length direction of the tape 210 on the cleaning tape body 2102.

[0200] based on Figure 6C In the provided embodiment, a cleaning tape body 2102 is provided on the side of the magnetic tape 210. When the magnetic head 230 needs to be cleaned, the magnetic tape 210 is driven to move along the width direction of the magnetic tape 210 so that the magnetic head 230 is aligned with the cleaning tape body 2102. This reduces the magnetic tape movement distance and shortens the service interruption time caused by cleaning the magnetic head 230.

[0201] In the second optional connection structure, the magnetic tape 210 includes a first side and a second side along its width direction, with the second side and the first side of the magnetic tape 210 disposed opposite to each other. The cleaning tape body 2102 may include two cleaning sub-tape bodies: a first cleaning sub-tape body and a second cleaning sub-tape body. The first cleaning sub-tape body is disposed on the first side of the magnetic tape 210, and the second cleaning sub-tape body is disposed on the second side of the magnetic tape 210. The data tape body 2101 is located between the first cleaning sub-tape body and the second cleaning sub-tape body.

[0202] like Figure 6D As shown, relative to Figure 6C The provided connection diagram is in Figure 6D In the connection diagram shown, the first cleaning sub-tape A1 is tape 1 in magnetic tape 210, the second cleaning sub-tape A2 is tape 5 in magnetic tape 210, and the data tape 210 is tape 2 to tape 4 in magnetic tape 210.

[0203] During the cleaning process of the magnetic head 230 in the tape drive, the control unit 240 controls the tape driver 220 to drive the tape 210 to move along the width direction of the tape 210, so that the tape 210 changes from aligning with the data tape body 2101 to aligning with tape body 1 or tape body 5, so that the magnetic head 230 aligns with the first cleaning sub-tape body A1 or the second cleaning sub-tape body A2. The control unit 240 controls the tape driver 220 to drive the tape 210 to wind along the length direction of the tape 210, so that the magnetic head 230 moves along the length direction of the tape 210 on tape body 1 or tape body 5, thereby removing stains and magnetic powder from the surface of the magnetic head 230.

[0204] based on Figure 6D In the provided embodiment, cleaning sub-tape bodies are provided on both sides of the magnetic tape 210. By providing multiple cleaning sub-tape bodies, the distance that the magnetic tape 210 needs to move from aligning the data tape 2101 to aligning the cleaning tape 2102 during the cleaning process of the magnetic head 230 can be shortened, thereby reducing the cleaning time of the magnetic head 230 and thus shortening the service interruption time caused by cleaning the magnetic head 230. Furthermore, providing multiple cleaning areas can improve the service life of the cleaning tape 2102, thereby increasing the service life of the magnetic tape 210.

[0205] In the third optional connection structure, the cleaning tape 2102 includes multiple cleaning sub-tapes, and the data tape 2101 includes multiple data sub-tapes. The multiple cleaning sub-tapes and multiple data sub-tapes are alternately arranged along the width direction of the magnetic tape 210. That is, the multiple cleaning sub-tapes are arranged side-by-side with intervals along the width direction of the magnetic tape 210, and the multiple data sub-tapes are arranged side-by-side with intervals along the width direction of the magnetic tape 210, without overlapping between the cleaning sub-tapes.

[0206] It should be noted that the number of cleaning sub-bands and the number of data sub-bands can be the same or different. For example, the number of cleaning sub-bands can be greater than the number of data sub-bands. Alternatively, the number of cleaning sub-bands can be equal to the number of data sub-bands. Yet another example is that the number of cleaning sub-bands can be less than the number of data sub-bands; this application does not impose any limitations on this.

[0207] The following combination Figure 6E Figures (a), (b), and (c) in the figure illustrate the connection structure of the cleaning sub-band and the data sub-band under different quantitative relationships.

[0208] In the first optional example, the number of wash subbands is equal to the number of data subbands. For example... Figure 6E As shown in Figure (a), with Figure 6D Compared to the connection diagram shown, the data tape body 2101 includes data sub-tape bodies C1 and C2, and the data tape body 2101 is not entirely located between the cleaning sub-tape bodies A1 and A2. For example... Figure 6E As shown in Figure (a), data sub-tape C1 is tape 2 to tape 3 in magnetic tape 210, and data sub-tape C2 is tape 5 in magnetic tape 210. Cleaning sub-tape A1 is tape 1 in magnetic tape 210, and cleaning sub-tape A2 is tape 4 in magnetic tape 210.

[0209] In the second alternative example, the number of clean subbands is greater than the number of data subbands. For example... Figure 6E As shown in Figure (b), with Figure 6E Compared to the connection diagram shown in Figure (a) in [the original text], in [the original text] Figure 6E In Figure (b), the cleaning tape 2102 includes cleaning sub-tapes A1, A2, and B1. Specifically, cleaning sub-tape A1 is tape 1 in magnetic tape 210, cleaning sub-tape A2 is tape 3 in magnetic tape 210, and cleaning sub-tape B1 is tape 5 in magnetic tape 210. Data sub-tape C1 is tape 2 in magnetic tape 210, and data sub-tape C2 is tape 4 in magnetic tape 210.

[0210] In the third alternative example, the number of clean subbands is less than the number of data subbands. For example... Figure 6E As shown in Figure (c), with Figure 6E Compared to the connection diagram shown in Figure (a) in [the original text], in [the original text] Figure 6E In Figure (c), data tape 2101 includes data sub-tapes C1, C2, and C3. (See figure) Figure 6EAs shown in Figure (c), data sub-tape C1 is tape 1 in magnetic tape 210, data sub-tape C2 is tape 3 in magnetic tape 210, and data sub-tape C3 is tape 5 in magnetic tape 210. Cleaning sub-tape A1 is tape 2 in magnetic tape 210, and cleaning sub-tape A2 is tape 4 in magnetic tape 210.

[0211] based on Figure 6E In the provided embodiment, multiple cleaning sub-tapes are arranged in the width direction of the magnetic tape 210. During the cleaning process of the magnetic head 230, the distance that the magnetic tape 210 needs to move from aligning with the data tape 2101 to aligning with the cleaning tape 2102 can be shortened, thereby reducing the cleaning time of the magnetic head 230 and thus shortening the service interruption time caused by cleaning the magnetic head 230. Furthermore, providing multiple cleaning areas can improve the service life of the cleaning tape 2102, thereby increasing the service life of the magnetic tape 210.

[0212] The above Figures 6A to 6E This paper primarily uses the magnetic tape 210, including a cleaning tape 2102 and a data tape 2101, as an example to illustrate the structural implementation of the magnetic tape 210. In other embodiments, the magnetic tape 210 may also include a cleaning tape 2102, a verification tape 2103, and a data tape 2101, with the data tape 2101, cleaning tape 2102, and verification tape 2103 interconnected. The verification tape 2103 is used to detect whether the cleaned magnetic head 230 has been successfully cleaned. The structure of the verification tape 2103 is the same as that of the data tape 2101, and will not be described in detail here.

[0213] When the magnetic tape 210 includes a cleaning tape 2102, a verification tape 2103, and a data tape 2101, the structural implementation of the magnetic tape 210 can differ from the above. Figures 6A to 6E The diagram shown below. (The following is in conjunction with...) Figures 7A to 7C The connection structure of the data tape 2101, the cleaning tape 2102, and the verification tape 2103 is illustrated by way of example.

[0214] In the first alternative example, the interconnection of the data tape 2101, the cleaning tape 2102, and the verification tape 2103 can refer to the cleaning tape 2102 and the verification tape 2103 being set adjacent to each other.

[0215] For example, on magnetic tape 210, data tape 2101, cleaning tape 2102, and verification tape 2103 are interconnected in the direction of data tape 2101-cleaning tape 2102-verification tape 2103. That is, as... Figure 7A As shown in Figure (a), the data tape 2101 is located at the beginning of the magnetic tape 210, the verification tape 2103 is located at the end of the magnetic tape 210, and the cleaning tape 2102 is located between the data tape 2101 and the verification tape 2103.

[0216] In the second alternative implementation, the interconnection of the data tape 2101, the cleaning tape 2102, and the verification tape 2103 can refer to the data tape 2101 and the verification tape 2103 being set adjacent to each other.

[0217] For example, the data tape 2101, cleaning tape 2102, and verification tape 2103 on magnetic tape 210 are interconnected in the direction of cleaning tape 2102-data tape 2101-verification tape 2103. Figure 7A As shown in Figure (b), the cleaning tape 2102 is located at the beginning of the magnetic tape 210, the verification tape 2103 is located at the end of the magnetic tape 210, and the data tape 2101 is located between the cleaning tape 2102 and the verification tape 2103.

[0218] In the third optional implementation, the interconnection of the data tape 2101, the cleaning tape 2102, and the verification tape 2103 can mean that the data tape 2101 and the verification tape 2103 are set adjacent to each other, and the cleaning tape 2102 and the verification tape 2103 are set adjacent to each other.

[0219] For example, the data tape 2101, cleaning tape 2102, and verification tape 2103 on magnetic tape 210 are interconnected in the direction of data tape 2101-verification tape 2103-cleaning tape 2102. Figure 7A As shown in Figure (c), the data tape 2101 is located at the beginning of the magnetic tape 210, the cleaning tape 2102 is located at the end of the magnetic tape 210, and the verification tape 2103 is located between the data tape 2101 and the cleaning tape 2102.

[0220] It should be noted that the three optional examples described above are merely different connection structures between the data tape 2101, the cleaning tape 2102, and the verification tape 2103. In other embodiments, the data tape 2101, the cleaning tape 2102, and the verification tape 2103 may have other connection structures. For example, the data tape 2101, the cleaning tape 2102, and the verification tape 2103 are connected to each other along the width direction of the magnetic tape 210. Another example is that the data tape 2101, the cleaning tape 2102, and the verification tape 2103 are connected to each other along the length direction of the magnetic tape 210. This application does not impose limitations on the comparison. Two specific examples are provided below to illustrate the connection structures of the verification tape 2103 and the cleaning tape 2102 along the length direction and along the width direction of the magnetic tape 210, respectively.

[0221] In the first optional connection structure, the data tape 2101 and the cleaning tape 2102 are connected along the length of the magnetic tape 210, and the verification tape 2103 and the cleaning tape 2102 are arranged adjacent to each other. Figure 7BAs shown, relative to Figure 6A The provided connection structure, in Figure 7B In the data strip 2103, the verification strip body includes a first verification area Y1 and a second verification area Y2. The first verification area Y1 is located between the first cleaning area A1 and the data strip body 2101, and the second verification area Y2 is located between the data strip body 2101 and the second cleaning area A2.

[0222] It should be noted that, Figure 7B This diagram is merely an illustration of the connection between the verification tape 2103 and the cleaning tape 2102 along the length of the magnetic tape 210. In practical applications, the verification tape 2103 and the cleaning tape 2102 can have other connection methods. For example, the first verification area Y1 is located at the beginning of the magnetic tape 210, and the second verification area Y2 is located at the end of the magnetic tape 210. The first cleaning area A1 is located between the first verification area Y1 and the data tape 2101, and the second cleaning area A2 is located between the data tape 2101 and the second verification area Y2. This application does not limit this to any particular method.

[0223] During the head 230 cleaning process, after the tape drive detects that head 230 cleaning is complete, the control unit 240 controls the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to wind along the length of the tape 210, aligning the tape 210 with the first verification area Y1 or the second verification area Y2. The head 230 then accesses the first verification area Y1 or the second verification area Y2 for data reading and writing. If the tape drive detects that head 230 cleaning is successful, the control unit 240 controls the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to wind along the length of the tape 210, aligning the tape 210 with the data tape body 2101, and the head 230 accesses the data tape body 2101 for data reading and writing. If the tape drive detects that head 230 cleaning has failed, the control unit 240 controls the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to wind along the length of the tape 210, aligning the head 230 with the first cleaning area A1 or the second cleaning area A2, and performs a second cleaning of the head 230.

[0224] based on Figure 7B In the provided embodiment, a verification tape 2103 is added to the magnetic tape 210, and the verification tape 2103 and the cleaning tape 2102 are arranged adjacent to each other along the length direction of the magnetic tape 210. After the magnetic head 230 is cleaned, the magnetic tape 210 can be aligned with the verification tape 2103 by moving a short distance, so as to evaluate the cleaning effect of the cleaned magnetic head 230.

[0225] In the second optional connection structure, the data tape 2101 and the cleaning tape 2102 are connected along the width direction of the magnetic tape 210, and the verification tape 2103 and the cleaning tape 2102 are arranged adjacent to each other. Figure 7CAs shown, relative to Figure 6C The connection structure provided in Figure (a) is in Figure 7C In this context, data tape 2101 refers to tapes 3 to 5 in magnetic tape 210, verification tape 2103 refers to tape 2 in magnetic tape 210, and cleaning sub-tape refers to tape 1.

[0226] based on Figure 7C In the provided embodiment, a verification tape 2103 is added to the magnetic tape 210, and the verification tape 2103 and the cleaning tape 2102 are arranged adjacent to each other along the width direction of the magnetic tape 210. After the magnetic head 230 has finished cleaning, the magnetic tape 210 can be moved a short distance to align with the verification tape 2103, thereby enabling the cleaning effect evaluation of the cleaned magnetic head 230.

[0227] It should be noted that, Figure 7C The accompanying drawings are merely illustrative and do not constitute a limitation on the tape drive device provided in this application. In other embodiments, the verification tape 2103 and the cleaning tape 2102 may have other connection structures. For example, the cleaning tape 2102 may be disposed on the first side of the magnetic tape 210, the verification tape 2103 may be disposed on the second side of the magnetic tape 210, and the data tape 2101 may be located between the cleaning tape 2102 and the verification tape 2103. As another example, if the cleaning tape 2102 includes a first cleaning region and a second cleaning region, the verification tape 2103 may be disposed side-by-side with the first cleaning region or the second cleaning region along the width direction of the magnetic tape 210. This application does not limit this aspect.

[0228] based on Figures 7A to 7C In the provided embodiment, a verification tape 2103 is added to the magnetic tape 210, and the cleaning effect of the magnetic head 230 is automatically evaluated based on the verification tape 2103.

[0229] Regarding the structure of the control component 240, the following is a description... Figure 8 The following is an illustrative example. The control unit 240 includes a chip 241, a data acquisition unit 243, and an actuator 242. The chip 241 is connected to both the data acquisition unit 243 and the actuator 242. The actuator 242 is connected to the tape drive 220.

[0230] The chip 241, the data acquisition unit 243, and the actuator 242 in the control unit 240 will be described by way of example below.

[0231] The collector 243 can be mounted on the magnetic tape 210 or on the magnetic head 230.

[0232] When the magnetic head 230 accesses the data tape 2101 or the verification tape 2103, the collector 243 is used to collect the read / write error rate of the magnetic head 230 and transmit the read / write error rate to the chip 241.

[0233] Actuator 242 is used to control the speed, rotation direction, or movement direction of the motor in tape drive 220. For example, actuator 242 can generate electrical pulse signals and send them to tape drive 220. These electrical pulse signals indicate the speed, direction, or movement direction of the motor in tape drive 220. Alternatively, actuator 242 can send drive commands to tape drive 220, and tape drive 220 will generate corresponding electrical pulse signals in response. These drive commands instruct tape drive 220 to drive tape 210 to wind along its length or move along its width.

[0234] Chip 241 can be a CPU, GPU, or NPU, and this application does not limit it to any particular type. Chip 241 is used to receive and respond to requests sent by external devices of tape drive device 200, and to issue corresponding instructions to collector 243 and / or actuator 242. Alternatively, chip 241 is used to generate requests and issue corresponding instructions to collector 243 and / or actuator 242.

[0235] The following three specific examples illustrate the interaction process between chip 241, data acquisition unit 243 and actuator 242 in control unit 240.

[0236] In the first example, chip 241 receives a data access request (such as a read request or write request) from an external device of tape drive device 200. Upon receiving and responding to the data access request, chip 241 issues a tape drive command to actuator 242. Actuator 242, in response to the tape drive command, sends an electrical pulse signal or drive command to tape drive 220.

[0237] In the second example, the magnetic head 230 accesses the data tape 2101, and the chip 241 generates a magnetic head cleaning level acquisition request. The chip 241 sends a first acquisition request to the acquisition unit 243. The acquisition unit 243 receives and responds to the acquisition request, acquires the first read / write error rate of the magnetic head 230 on the data tape 2101, and transmits the first read / write error rate to the chip 241. Based on the first read / write error rate, the chip 241 generates a cleaning request and sends a first instruction to the actuator 242. In response to the first instruction, the actuator 242 controls the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to align with the cleaning tape 2102, causing the cleaning tape 2102 to clean the magnetic head 230.

[0238] Among them, the chip 241 can refer to the following based on the first read / write bit error rate. Figure 10 The provided embodiment generates a cleaning request and sends a first instruction to the actuator 242, which will not be described in detail here.

[0239] In the third example, after the magnetic head 230 completes cleaning, the chip 241 generates a verification request. The chip 241 sends a second instruction to the actuator 242. In response to the second instruction, the actuator 242 controls the tape drive 220 to align the tape 210 with the verification tape body 2103, enabling the cleaned magnetic head 230 to read and write data on the verification tape body 2103. The chip 241 generates a magnetic head cleanliness acquisition request. The chip 241 sends a second acquisition request to the acquisition unit 243. The acquisition unit 243 receives and responds to the second acquisition request, acquires the second read / write error rate of the magnetic head 230 on the verification tape body 2103, and transmits the second read / write error rate to the chip 241. Based on the second read / write error rate, the chip 241 sends a third or fourth instruction to the actuator 242. In response to the third instruction, the actuator 242 controls the tape drive 220 to align the tape 210 with the data tape body 2101, enabling the cleaned magnetic head 230 to access the data tape body 2101. Alternatively, in response to the fourth instruction, the actuator 242 controls the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to align with the cleaning tape 2102, so that the cleaning tape 2102 can clean the cleaned magnetic head 230 again.

[0240] Chip 241 can be referenced as follows Figure 11 The provided embodiments send a third or fourth instruction to the actuator 242, which will not be described in detail here.

[0241] It should be noted that the above three examples are merely illustrative of different interaction methods between chip 241, collector 243, and actuator 242. In other embodiments, other interaction methods can also be used between chip 241, collector 243, and actuator 242. For example, when the magnetic head 230 accesses the data tape 2101, chip 241 can receive and respond to a cleanliness acquisition request sent by an external device. After receiving the first read / write error rate returned by collector 243, chip 241 sends the first read / write error rate to the external device and receives a cleaning request sent by the external device. As another example, after the magnetic head 230 completes cleaning, chip 241 receives and responds to a verification request sent by an external device. After receiving the second read / write error rate returned by collector 243, chip 241 sends the second read / write error rate to the external device and receives a third or fourth instruction sent by the external device. This application does not limit this.

[0242] In one alternative implementation, Figure 2 The tape drive device shown can be an integrated tape drive. For example... Figure 9 As shown, in this integrated tape drive: tape 210, tape driver 220, magnetic head 230, spool 201, roller 202, and control unit 240 are housed within a housing 250. The housing 250 includes a communication interface (…). Figure 9(Not shown in the image), the tape drive device 200 is connected to an external device via a communication interface.

[0243] In the first alternative configuration, the housing 250 is non-removable, preventing the user from manually cleaning the magnetic powder that has fallen into the integrated tape drive. When the tape drive 220 and tape 210 provided in this embodiment are applied to the integrated tape drive, their effect in preventing magnetic powder from falling off is more significant, effectively improving the read / write signal capability of the magnetic head 230 in the integrated tape drive, thereby increasing the service life of the integrated tape drive.

[0244] In the second alternative configuration, the housing 250 is removable. When the tape drive 220 and tape 210 provided in this embodiment are applied to the integrated tape drive, the user can replace the tape 210 in the tape drive device, thereby increasing the service life of the integrated tape drive.

[0245] In an optional example, such as Figure 9 As shown, the inner surface of the housing 250 forms a cavity with the base 203, and the magnetic tape 210, magnetic tape driver 220, magnetic head 230, reel 201, roller 202 and control unit 240 are disposed in the cavity.

[0246] Below Figures 1 to 9 Based on this, the cleaning method for the magnetic head 230 provided in the embodiments of this application will be described by way of example. Figure 10 Flowchart of the magnetic head cleaning method provided in this application Figure 1 This head 230 cleaning method is applied to magnetic tape drive equipment, such as the magnetic tape drive equipment 200 mentioned above.

[0247] The magnetic head cleaning method provided in this application embodiment can be executed by the control unit 240 in the tape drive device 200, or by other computing devices that communicate with the tape drive device 200. For example, the other computing device refers to the controller in the storage system (such as the tape system) to which the tape drive device 200 belongs. The controller can be, for example, the controller included in the aforementioned control unit 1225, the controller included in the engine 121, or the engine 121 itself.

[0248] This application embodiment provides an example of a magnetic head cleaning method executed by a control unit 240. The control unit 240 may contain a cleaning strategy engine, or the control unit 240 may be able to invoke the cleaning strategy engine via an application programming interface (API). The cleaning strategy engine is used to execute the magnetic head cleaning method.

[0249] Please see Figure 10 The magnetic head cleaning method includes steps S111 to S114.

[0250] S111, the control unit 240 receives and responds to the data access request, and controls the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to align with the data tape body 2101 so that the magnetic head 230 can access the data tape body 2101.

[0251] For example, a data access request may also be called an I / O request, or an access request. The data access request carries an access address, which is used to indicate the storage address on the data tape 2101.

[0252] In an alternative implementation, the data access request can be any IO request in the IO data stream. The IO data stream, also known as an IO flow, includes multiple IO requests, each of which includes an access address.

[0253] The following three specific examples illustrate data access requests.

[0254] In the first alternative example, the data access request originates from an I / O data stream sent by the same data access device. This data access device can refer to a host, user equipment, server, or other type of device.

[0255] In the second alternative example, the data access request originates from an IO data stream sent by the same application.

[0256] For example, the application can be deployed on a distributed system, which includes multiple devices, each with a complete application deployed on it, or each device with a portion of the application's code deployed on it. Examples of such applications include, but are not limited to, artificial intelligence applications and distributed applications. For instance, a distributed application refers to an application distributed across different computers, working together over a network to complete a task.

[0257] In the third optional example, the data access request originates from an IO stream belonging to the same task. This task can be a read task or other data access task, etc. Specifically, this task can be a data access task issued by a single application, or it can be data access tasks from multiple applications managed by a single data access interface; this application does not limit this.

[0258] The three possible examples above are merely optional methods for data access requests provided in the embodiments of this application. Multiple data access requests belonging to the same IO stream indicate data flowing from one storage location to another. The direction of the IO stream can be input (reading data from the target storage device) or output (writing data to the target storage device). In some optional cases, the IO stream may also be called a request sequence, a data request stream, or other names, etc., which are not limited in this application.

[0259] In one alternative implementation, the control unit 240 can determine the tape scheduling algorithm based on the access address corresponding to the data access request and the initial address of the head 230 aligned in the tape 210. The control unit 240 then controls the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to align with the data tape body 2101 according to the tape scheduling algorithm, so that the head 230 aligns with the first region on the data tape body 2101 corresponding to the access address carried in the data access request.

[0260] The initial address for head alignment in magnetic tape 210 is the address corresponding to the head-aligned tape region, which is the current head alignment position in magnetic tape 210. For example, before the control unit 240 receives a data access request, the current head alignment location is the initial head address. In some optional cases, this initial address may also be called the current head alignment address, start address, or initial address in magnetic tape 210, etc., and this application does not limit this.

[0261] It is worth noting that in some alternative methods, the initial address of the magnetic head can also refer to a fixed area of ​​the magnetic head that it will reset to after one or more accesses to the magnetic tape. This fixed area of ​​the magnetic head is the initial address of the magnetic head.

[0262] The tape scheduling algorithm is used to indicate the tape reel direction and reel speed. It also indicates the tape movement direction and speed.

[0263] In an optional implementation, the control unit 240 can generate multiple candidate scheduling algorithms based on the distance between the access address and the initial address. The control unit 240 predicts the predicted latency of each candidate scheduling algorithm and selects target candidate scheduling algorithms from the subsequent scheduling algorithms whose predicted latency is less than a latency threshold. The control unit 240 determines the target candidate scheduling algorithm with the minimum predicted latency among the target candidate scheduling algorithms as the tape scheduling algorithm.

[0264] The delay threshold can be a user-defined value. For example, the delay threshold can be 1 second, 2 seconds, 5 seconds, 100 seconds, or other values. Alternatively, the delay threshold can be a pre-configured value in the control unit 240, which can be 1 second, 2 seconds, 5 seconds, 100 seconds, or other values.

[0265] S112, the control unit 240 acquires the first read / write bit error rate of the magnetic head 230 on the data tape 2101.

[0266] In one alternative implementation, the first read / write error rate can refer to the average read / write error rate, the maximum read / write error rate, or the minimum read / write error rate over a period of time. The period of time can refer to 1 second, 100 seconds, 1 minute, 10 minutes, etc., and this application does not limit this.

[0267] In an optional example, the control unit 240 periodically collects the read / write error rate of the magnetic head 230 at each sampling moment within the period, and calculates the average, maximum or minimum value of the read / write error rate at each sampling moment within the period to obtain the first read / write error rate.

[0268] In a first optional example, the control unit 240 can utilize a detection tool to collect the read / write error rate. For example, the collector 243 in the control unit 240 can invoke the detection tool to collect the read / write error rate. Alternatively, the collector 243 in the control unit 240 may have a detection tool deployed within it, and the collector 243 utilizes the detection tool to collect the read / write error rate. The collection tool can refer to a SMART-based detection tool, a file system checking tool, or a hardware testing tool, etc.

[0269] In a second alternative example, control unit 240 can read the operating system log and obtain the read / write error rate based on the number of read / write error events recorded in the operating system log.

[0270] The two optional examples above are only implementation methods for obtaining different read and write error rates. In practical applications, there may be other implementation methods, which are not limited in this application.

[0271] S113, the control unit 240 determines whether the first read / write error rate meets the cleaning strategy.

[0272] The cleaning strategy is used to indicate the conditions that trigger the cleaning operation of the magnetic head 230. In an optional implementation, the cleaning strategy can be user-configured. Alternatively, the cleaning strategy can be pre-configured by the control unit 240. The cleaning strategy can also be sent by an external device; this application does not limit this aspect.

[0273] In the first alternative implementation, the cleaning strategy may include a read / write error rate threshold.

[0274] The read / write error rate threshold can be set by the user, or it can be pre-configured by the control unit 240. This application does not limit this.

[0275] For example, the control unit 240 compares the first read / write bit error rate with a read / write bit error rate threshold. If the first read / write bit error rate is greater than or equal to the read / write bit error rate threshold, the control unit 240 determines that the first read / write bit error rate meets the cleaning strategy. If the first read / write bit error rate is less than the read / write bit error rate threshold, the control unit 240 determines that the first read / write bit error rate does not meet the cleaning strategy.

[0276] In a second alternative implementation, the cleaning strategy may include a head cleanliness threshold.

[0277] The head cleanliness threshold is used to indicate the critical value between cleaning the head and not cleaning the head.

[0278] The control unit 240 determines the cleanliness level of the read / write head 230 based on a first read / write error rate. The control unit 240 compares the cleanliness level of the read / write head 230 with a head cleanliness level threshold. If the cleanliness level of the read / write head 230 is greater than or equal to the head cleanliness level threshold, the control unit 240 determines that the first read / write error rate does not meet the cleaning strategy. If the cleanliness level of the read / write head 230 is less than the head cleanliness level threshold, the control unit 240 determines that the first read / write error rate meets the cleaning strategy.

[0279] In one example, the control unit 240 may store a mapping relationship between the read / write error rate range and the cleanliness level. After obtaining the first read / write error rate, the control unit 240 determines the target read / write error rate range in which the first read / write error rate falls based on the mapping relationship between the read / write error rate range and the cleanliness level, and determines the cleanliness level corresponding to the target read / write error rate range as the cleanliness level of the read / write head.

[0280] It is worth noting that the read / write error rate is negatively correlated with the cleanliness of the head. That is, the higher the first read / write error rate, the lower the cleanliness of the head, and the lower the first read / write error rate, the higher the cleanliness of the head.

[0281] In the third optional implementation, the cleaning strategy includes multiple cleanliness levels and a corresponding cleaning operation strategy for each cleanliness level.

[0282] In one optional implementation, the cleaning strategy includes: a first cleanliness level, a second cleanliness level, a first cleaning operation strategy corresponding to the first cleanliness level, and a second cleaning operation strategy corresponding to the second cleanliness level.

[0283] In a first optional example, the cleaning level corresponding to the second cleaning level is less than the cleaning level corresponding to the first cleaning level. Accordingly, the first cleaning operation strategy is used to instruct that when the tape drive 200 is in an idle state, the control unit 240 controls the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to align with the cleaning tape body 2102 and perform a head cleaning operation. The second cleaning operation strategy is used to instruct that data access services of the tape drive be suspended, and the control unit 240 controls the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to align with the cleaning tape body 2102 and perform a head cleaning operation.

[0284] Optionally, the tape drive device 200 being in an idle state can mean that the tape drive device 200 has not received a data access request within a preset time period. The preset time period can be 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or 20 minutes, and this application does not limit this.

[0285] In a second optional example, the cleaning level corresponding to the second cleaning level is greater than the cleaning level corresponding to the first cleaning level. Accordingly, the second cleaning operation strategy is used to instruct the control unit 240 to control the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to align with the cleaning tape body 2102 and perform a head cleaning operation when the tape drive is idle. The first cleaning operation strategy is used to instruct the data access service of the tape drive to be suspended, and the control unit 240 to control the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to align with the cleaning tape body 2102 and perform a head cleaning operation.

[0286] The two optional examples described above are merely illustrative examples of the cleanliness level and cleaning operation strategy in the cleaning strategy. In practical applications, the cleanliness level and cleaning operation strategy in the cleaning strategy can be implemented in other ways, and this application does not limit them.

[0287] The control unit 240 determines the cleanliness level of the read / write head 230 based on the first read / write error rate. The control unit 240 queries a cleaning strategy based on the cleanliness level of the read / write head 230. If the cleaning strategy contains a target cleanliness level that matches the cleanliness level of the read / write head 230, the control unit 240 determines that the first read / write error rate meets the cleaning strategy. If the cleaning strategy does not contain a target cleanliness level that matches the cleanliness level of the read / write head 230, the control unit 240 determines that the first read / write error rate does not meet the cleaning strategy.

[0288] It should be noted that the above three optional implementation methods are only different implementation methods of the cleaning strategy. In practical applications, the cleaning strategy can also be implemented in other ways, and this application does not limit it.

[0289] S114, if the first read / write error rate meets the cleaning strategy, the control unit 240 controls the tape driver 220 to drive the tape 210 to align with the cleaning tape 2102, so that the cleaning tape 2102 cleans the magnetic head 230.

[0290] In one alternative implementation, the cleaning tape 2102 and the cleaning head 230 include at least the following implementations, for example:

[0291] In the first implementation, the cleaning tape 2102 is connected to the data tape 2101 along the width direction of the magnetic tape 210, the magnetic head 230 presses against the cleaning tape 2102, and the control unit 240 controls the magnetic tape driver 220 to drive the magnetic tape 210 to wind a first distance along the length direction of the magnetic tape 210.

[0292] The first distance is less than the length of the cleaning belt 2102.

[0293] In the second implementation, the cleaning tape 2102 is connected to the data tape 2101 along the width direction of the magnetic tape 210, the magnetic head 230 presses against the cleaning tape 2102, and the control unit 240 controls the magnetic tape driver 220 to drive the magnetic tape 210 to alternately rewind in the first direction and rewind in the second direction for the first number threshold.

[0294] For example, control unit 240 controls tape driver 220 to drive the first reel to rewind a second distance in the first direction, and then control unit 240 controls tape driver 220 to drive the second reel to rewind a second distance in the second direction, until the number of times tape 210 rewinds in the first direction is greater than or equal to the first count threshold, at which point rewinding stops. Here, the first reel is the reel with the beginning end of tape 210 wound around it, and the second reel is the reel with the end end of tape 210 wound around it.

[0295] The second distance is less than or equal to the first distance.

[0296] In the third implementation, the cleaning tape 2102 and the data tape 2101 are connected along the length of the magnetic tape 210, the magnetic head 230 presses against the cleaning tape 2102, and the control unit 240 controls the magnetic tape driver 220 to drive the magnetic tape 210 to move a third distance along the width of the magnetic tape 210.

[0297] Among them, the third distance is less than or equal to the first distance.

[0298] In the fourth implementation, the cleaning tape 2102 and the data tape 2101 are connected along the length of the magnetic tape 210, the magnetic head 230 presses against the cleaning tape 2102, and the control unit 240 controls the magnetic tape driver 220 to drive the magnetic tape 210 to reciprocate along the width of the magnetic tape 210 for the second time.

[0299] The threshold for the first reciprocating movement of the magnetic tape 210 along its width direction can be defined as follows: the magnetic tape 210 moves alternately to the third and fourth directions along its width direction by a fourth distance until the number of times the magnetic tape 210 moves to the third direction along its width direction is greater than or equal to the threshold for the second reciprocating movement, at which point the movement stops.

[0300] Among them, the second number threshold is less than or equal to the first number threshold, and the fourth distance is less than or equal to the first distance.

[0301] It should be noted that the above four implementation methods are merely different ways of implementing the cleaning tape body 2102 and the cleaning magnetic head 230. In practical applications, the cleaning tape body 2102 and the cleaning magnetic head 230 can also have other implementation methods. For example, the cleaning tape body 2102 is connected to the data tape body 2101 along the length direction of the magnetic tape 210, the magnetic head 230 presses against the cleaning tape body 2102, and the control unit 240 controls the tape driver 220 to drive the magnetic tape 210 to alternately rewind in the first direction and rewind in the second direction for the first number threshold. Another example is that the cleaning tape body 2102 is connected to the data tape body 2101 along the length direction of the magnetic tape 210, and the control unit 240 controls the tape driver 220 to drive the magnetic tape 210 to wind a first distance along the length direction of the magnetic tape 210. This application does not limit this.

[0302] The following examples illustrate how the tape drive 220 drives the tape 210 to align and clean the tape body 2102, using different cleaning strategies as examples.

[0303] In the first optional implementation, the cleaning strategy includes a read / write error rate threshold. If the first read / write error rate meets the cleaning strategy, the control unit 240 can suspend the currently executing data access service, control the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to align with the cleaning tape 2102, and the magnetic head 230 to press against the cleaning tape 2102.

[0304] In the second alternative implementation, the cleaning strategy includes a head cleanliness threshold. If the first read / write error rate meets the cleaning strategy, the control unit 240 can pause the currently executing data access service, control the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to align with the cleaning tape 2102, and the magnetic head 230 to press against the cleaning tape 2102.

[0305] In a third optional implementation, the cleaning strategy includes multiple cleaning levels and a corresponding cleaning operation strategy for each cleaning level. If the first read / write error rate meets the cleaning strategy, the control unit 240 determines a target cleaning operation strategy that matches the first read / write error rate. The control unit 240 controls the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to align with the cleaning tape body 2102 according to the target cleaning operation strategy.

[0306] For example, when the target cleaning operation strategy is the first cleaning operation strategy, the control unit 240 controls the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to align with the cleaning tape body 2102 when the tape drive is idle.

[0307] For example, when the target cleaning operation strategy is the second cleaning operation strategy, the control unit 240 can suspend the currently executed data access service and control the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to align with the cleaning tape body 2102.

[0308] It should be noted that the above three implementation methods are only different implementations of the cleaning head 230 under different cleaning strategies. In other embodiments, there may be other implementation methods. For example, the cleaning strategy includes a read / write error rate threshold. If the first read / write error rate meets the cleaning strategy, the control unit 240 compares the first read / write error rate with a second read / write error rate threshold. If the first read / write error rate is greater than or equal to the second read / write error rate threshold, the control unit 240 suspends the currently executed data access service and controls the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to align with the cleaning tape body 2102. If the first read / write error rate is less than the second read / write error rate threshold, the control unit 240, when the tape drive is in an idle state, controls the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to align with the cleaning tape body 2102. Here, the read / write error rate threshold is greater than the second read / write error rate threshold. As another example, the cleaning strategy includes a head cleanliness threshold. If the first read / write error rate meets the cleaning strategy, the control unit 240 compares the head cleanliness with a second head cleanliness threshold. If the cleanliness of the magnetic head is less than or equal to the second magnetic head cleanliness threshold, the control unit 240 suspends the currently executed data access service and controls the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to align with the cleaning tape body 2102. If the cleanliness of the magnetic head is greater than the second magnetic head cleanliness threshold, the control unit 240, when the tape drive is in an idle state, controls the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to align with the cleaning tape body 2102. The second magnetic head cleanliness threshold is less than the magnetic head cleanliness threshold. This application does not limit this aspect.

[0309] In one alternative implementation, if the first read / write error rate does not meet the cleaning strategy, the control unit 240 continues to perform data access services and does not perform the head cleaning operation.

[0310] based on Figure 10In the provided embodiment, during the magnetic head cleaning process, the decision to perform magnetic head cleaning is based on the first read / write error rate of the magnetic head 230. If it is determined that magnetic head cleaning should be performed, the magnetic tape 210 is driven to align the cleaning tape 2102, so that the cleaning tape 2102 cleans the magnetic head 230, thereby achieving automated cleaning of the magnetic head. Since the magnetic tape 210 contains the cleaning tape 2102, the magnetic head cleaning process does not involve disk removal and insertion operations, thus shortening the magnetic head cleaning time and reducing the service interruption time caused by magnetic head cleaning.

[0311] In one alternative implementation, to automate the evaluation of the head cleaning effect, after the head 230 is cleaned, the control unit 240 evaluates the cleaned head 230 using the verification tape 2103 in the magnetic tape 210. If the head 230 is determined to be cleaned successfully, the control unit 240 controls the head 230 to access the data tape 2101. If the head 230 is determined to be cleaned unsuccessfully, the control unit 240 performs the head cleaning operation again.

[0312] In one alternative implementation, there are several ways to detect whether the magnetic head 230 has finished cleaning, for example:

[0313] In the first implementation, when the control unit 240 detects that the distance of the cleaning tape 2102 winding along the length direction of the magnetic tape 210 is greater than or equal to a first distance, it determines that the magnetic head 230 has completed cleaning.

[0314] In the second implementation, if the control unit 240 detects that the cleaning tape 2102 has moved a distance greater than or equal to the third distance along the width direction of the magnetic tape 210, it determines that the cleaning of the magnetic head 230 is complete.

[0315] In the third implementation, if the control unit 240 detects that the number of times the tape drive 220 drives the tape 210 to rewind in the first direction is greater than or equal to the first number threshold, it determines that the cleaning of the magnetic head 230 is complete.

[0316] In the fourth implementation, if the control unit 240 detects that the magnetic head 230 has completed cleaning when the number of times the magnetic tape 210 driven by the magnetic tape driver 220 moves back and forth along the width direction of the magnetic tape 210 is greater than or equal to the second threshold number, the control unit 240 determines that the magnetic head 230 has completed cleaning.

[0317] The four implementation methods described above are merely different ways for the control component 240 to detect whether the magnetic head 230 has completed cleaning. In other embodiments, the control component 240 may also use other implementation methods to detect whether the magnetic head 230 has completed cleaning. For example, the control component 240 may obtain the duration for which the magnetic head 230 presses against the cleaning tape 2102, and determine that the magnetic head 230 has completed cleaning if the duration is greater than or equal to a duration threshold. As another example, the control component 240 may obtain the duration for which the magnetic head 230 presses against the cleaning tape 2102, and the distance the cleaning tape 2102 has moved, and determine that the magnetic head 230 has completed cleaning if the duration is greater than or equal to a duration threshold and the distance moved is greater than or equal to a first distance or a third distance. This application does not limit this to any particular method.

[0318] In an optional implementation, the control unit 240 can control the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to align with the verification tape body 2103, so that the cleaned magnetic head 230 aligns with the verification tape body 2103. The read / write error rate of the cleaned magnetic head 230 on the verification tape body 2103 is collected. The cleaned magnetic head 230 is evaluated based on the collected read / write error rate. Figure 11 As shown, Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the magnetic head cleaning evaluation process provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 1 The head cleaning evaluation process shown includes steps S115 to S118.

[0319] S115, the control unit 240 responds to the verification request and controls the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to align with the verification tape body 2103, so that the cleaned magnetic head 230 aligns with the verification tape body 2103.

[0320] In the first alternative implementation, after the control unit 240 detects that the cleaning of the magnetic head 230 is complete, the control unit 240 triggers a verification request.

[0321] In the second alternative implementation, after the control unit 240 detects that the magnetic head 230 has finished cleaning, the control unit 240 queries whether the tape drive has its verification function enabled. If the control unit 240 determines that the tape drive has its verification function enabled, the control unit 240 triggers a verification request. If the control unit 240 determines that the tape drive has not enabled its verification function, the control unit 240 controls the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to align with the data tape body 2101, so that the cleaned magnetic head 230 can access the data stored in the data tape body 2101.

[0322] The tape drive device activation verification function can refer to the presence of head cleaning effect verification logic statements in the cleaning strategy engine. Alternatively, the tape drive device activation verification function can refer to the inclusion of verification tape body 2103 in tape 210.

[0323] The two implementation methods described above are merely exemplary descriptions of verification requests in different scenarios. In practical applications, verification requests can also be triggered by the user, or sent by a controller external to the tape drive device. This application does not limit this.

[0324] In an alternative implementation, the control unit 240 may refer to S111 above to control the tape driver 220 to drive the tape 210 to align the verification tape body 2103. Further details are omitted here.

[0325] In one alternative implementation, after the magnetic head 230 aligns with the verification tape 2103, the control unit 240 controls the tape driver 220 to drive the tape 210 to wind along the length of the tape 210, so that the magnetic head 230 can read and write data on the verification tape 2103.

[0326] S116, the control unit 240 obtains the second read / write bit error rate of the cleaned magnetic head 230 on the verification tape 2103.

[0327] In one alternative implementation, the control unit 240 may refer to the above-described S112 to obtain the second read / write bit error rate of the cleaned magnetic head 230 on the verification tape 2103, which will not be elaborated here.

[0328] In one alternative implementation, the control unit 240 can determine whether the cleaned magnetic head 230 has been successfully cleaned based on the second read / write error rate.

[0329] In a first optional example, the control unit 240 can compare the second read / write error rate with the cleaning strategy. If the second read / write error rate meets the cleaning strategy, the control unit 240 determines that the cleaning of the read / write head 230 has failed. If the second read / write error rate does not meet the cleaning strategy, the control unit 240 determines that the cleaning of the read / write head 230 has been successful.

[0330] In a second alternative example, the control unit 240 can compare a first read / write error rate with a second read / write error rate. If the difference between the second and first read / write error rates is greater than or equal to a threshold, the control unit 240 determines that the cleaned read / write head 230 has been successfully cleaned. If the difference between the second and first read / write error rates is less than the threshold, the control unit 240 determines that the cleaned read / write head 230 has failed to be cleaned.

[0331] The two examples above are merely different implementations of how the control unit 240 determines whether the cleaned magnetic head 230 has been successfully cleaned. In practical applications, other implementations are also possible. For example, the control unit 240 can compare a first read / write error rate with a second read / write error rate. If the second read / write error rate is less than the first read / write error rate and does not meet the cleaning strategy, the control unit 240 determines that the cleaned magnetic head 230 has been successfully cleaned. If the second read / write error rate is greater than or equal to the first read / write error rate, the control unit 240 determines that the cleaned magnetic head 230 has failed to be cleaned.

[0332] S117, if the second read / write error rate indicates that the cleaned magnetic head 230 has been successfully cleaned, control the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to align with the data tape body 2101, so that the cleaned magnetic head 230 can access the data stored in the data tape body 2101.

[0333] S118, if the second read / write error rate indicates that the cleaning of the magnetic head 230 has failed, control the tape driver to drive the magnetic tape 210 to align with the cleaning tape 2102, so that the cleaning tape 2102 cleans the magnetic head 230 again.

[0334] based on Figure 11 In the provided embodiment, the control component 240 acquires the second read / write error rate of the cleaned magnetic head 230 on the verification tape 2103, and uses the second read / write error rate to detect whether the cleaned magnetic head 230 has been successfully cleaned, thereby realizing automated evaluation of the magnetic head cleaning effect.

[0335] The above description primarily uses the example of a cleaning strategy engine deployed in the control unit 240 to illustrate the magnetic head cleaning method provided in this application. In other embodiments, a cleaning strategy engine may also be deployed in other computing devices. These other computing devices send instructions to the control unit 240 by executing the cleaning strategy engine, and the control unit 240 executes the corresponding instructions to perform magnetic head cleaning.

[0336] The following uses other computing devices as controllers in the storage system as an example, combined with... Figure 12 and Figure 13 The implementation method of the magnetic head cleaning method is illustrated by example.

[0337] Please see Figure 12 , Figure 12 A flowchart illustrating the magnetic head cleaning method provided in this application embodiment. Figure 2 ,and Figure 10 Flowchart of the provided magnetic head cleaning method Figure 1 compared to, Figure 12 The magnetic head cleaning method shown further includes steps S121 to S124 after step S111.

[0338] S121, the controller sends a cleanliness level acquisition request to the control unit 240.

[0339] S122, the control unit 240 receives and responds to the cleanliness acquisition request, obtains the first read / write error rate of the magnetic head 230 on the data tape 2101, and returns the first read / write error rate to the controller.

[0340] S123, if the first read / write error rate meets the cleaning strategy, the controller sends a cleaning request to the control unit 240.

[0341] S124, the control unit 240 receives and responds to the cleaning request, and controls the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to align with the cleaning tape 2102, so that the cleaning tape 2102 cleans the magnetic head 230.

[0342] based on Figure 12 In the provided embodiment, during the magnetic head cleaning process, the decision to perform magnetic head cleaning is based on the first read / write error rate of the magnetic head 230. If it is determined that magnetic head cleaning should be performed, the magnetic tape 210 is driven to align the cleaning tape 2102, so that the cleaning tape 2102 cleans the magnetic head 230, thereby achieving automated cleaning of the magnetic head. Since the magnetic tape 210 contains the cleaning tape 2102, the magnetic head cleaning process does not involve disk removal and insertion operations, thus shortening the magnetic head cleaning time and reducing the service interruption time caused by magnetic head cleaning.

[0343] In one alternative implementation, after the control unit 240 controls the cleaning belt to clean the magnetic head 230, the control unit 240 returns feedback information to the controller indicating that the magnetic head 230 has requested completion. The control unit 240 receives a verification request from the controller and performs a magnetic head cleanliness assessment operation.

[0344] Please see Figure 13 , Figure 13 A schematic diagram of the magnetic head cleaning evaluation process provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 2 Compared to Figure 12 A schematic diagram of the provided magnetic head cleaning evaluation process. Figure 1 ,like Figure 13 The provided head cleaning evaluation process includes steps S131 to S136.

[0345] S131, the control unit 240 returns feedback information to the controller indicating that the head cleaning is complete.

[0346] S132, the controller sends a verification request to the control unit 240.

[0347] S133, the control unit 240 responds to the verification request and controls the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to align with the verification tape body 2103, so that the cleaned magnetic head 230 aligns with the verification tape body 2103.

[0348] S134, the control unit 240 obtains the second read / write error rate of the cleaned magnetic head 230 on the verification tape 2103 and returns the second read / write error rate to the controller.

[0349] S135, if the second read / write error rate indicates that the head cleaning was successful, the controller sends a third instruction to the control unit 240.

[0350] In one alternative implementation, such as Figure 13 As shown, the control unit 240 responds to the third command and controls the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to align with the data tape body 2101, and the cleaned magnetic head accesses the data tape body 2101.

[0351] S136, if the second read / write error rate indicates that the head cleaning was successful, the controller sends a fourth instruction to the control unit 240.

[0352] In one alternative implementation, such as Figure 13 As shown, the control unit 240 responds to the fourth command and controls the tape drive 220 to drive the tape 210 to align with the cleaning tape body 2102, and the cleaned magnetic head presses against the cleaning tape body 2102.

[0353] based on Figure 13 In the provided embodiment, the controller obtains the second read / write error rate of the cleaned magnetic head 230 on the verification tape 2103, and uses the second read / write error rate to detect whether the cleaned magnetic head 230 has been successfully cleaned, thereby realizing the automated evaluation of the magnetic head cleaning effect.

[0354] The above text combines Figures 10 to 13 The present application describes in detail the magnetic head cleaning method provided according to the embodiments of this application. The following is a detailed description in conjunction with... Figure 14 The controller performing the above-described magnetic head cleaning method is described by way of example. In some embodiments, the controller performing the above-described magnetic head cleaning method may be the control component 240 or the control unit 1225, etc. In other embodiments, the controller performing the above-described magnetic head cleaning method may also be other devices with magnetic head cleaning function. This application does not limit this. For example, when other processing devices in the tape drive device 200 also have magnetic head cleaning function, the controller performing the above-described magnetic head cleaning method may refer to the aforementioned drive frame or other processing devices in the tape drive device 200. This application does not limit this.

[0355] The following is combined Figure 14 The controller 1400 provided in the embodiments of this application will be described by way of example.

[0356] Figure 14The schematic diagram of the controller provided in this application shows that the controller 1400 includes a memory 1410 and at least one processor 1420. The processor 1420 can implement the magnetic head cleaning method provided in the above embodiments, and the memory 1410 is used to store the software instructions corresponding to the magnetic head cleaning method. As an optional implementation, in hardware implementation, the controller 1400 can refer to a chip or chip system that encapsulates one or more processors 1420. For example, when the controller 1400 is used to implement the method steps in the above embodiments, the processor 1420 included in the controller 1400 executes the steps of the controller or control component in the above method and its possible sub-steps. In an optional case, the controller 1400 may also include a communication interface 1430, which can be used to send and receive data. For example, the communication interface 1430 is used to receive IO requests or send IO responses, etc.; the communication interface 1430 can be implemented through the interface circuit included in the controller 1400. Therefore, in some examples, the communication interface 1430 can also be referred to as the transceiver of the controller. In the embodiments of this application, the communication interface 1430, processor 1420, and memory 1410 can be connected via a bus 1440. The bus 1440 can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. The bus 1440 can be a PCIe bus, or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, a unified bus (Ubus or UB), a compute express link (CXL), a cache coherent interconnect for accelerators (CCIX), or other types of buses, etc.

[0357] This application also provides a storage system. The storage system includes a communication interface, a controller, and the tape drive device provided in any of the foregoing embodiments. The tape drive device is used to store data, and the communication interface is used to receive data access requests (such as I / O requests); the controller is used to manage target tape drive devices in the storage system according to data access requests (such as I / O read requests or I / O write requests). The storage system is, for example, a tape library, a tape system, or a computer / server that includes tape drive devices as persistent storage media.

[0358] The controller includes one or more processors, which can be a very large-scale integrated circuit. The processor contains an operating system and other software programs, enabling it to access tape drives and various PCIe devices. The processor includes one or more processor cores. These cores can be, for example, CPUs or other ASICs. The processor can also be other general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. In practical applications, the storage system may also include multiple controllers.

[0359] Optionally, the storage system may also include, but is not limited to, other storage media: dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), etc., for caching data from the tape drive for processor processing. Additionally, other storage media may be read-only memory (ROM). For example, read-only memory may be programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), etc. This embodiment does not limit the number or type of other storage media. Furthermore, other storage media can be configured to have power-saving functionality. Power-saving functionality means that when the system experiences a power outage and is then powered on again, the data stored in the memory will not be lost. Storage media with power-saving functionality are called non-volatile memory.

[0360] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are performed entirely or partially. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a digital video disc (DVD); or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive (SSD).

[0361] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Various equivalent modifications or substitutions can be conceived within the technical scope disclosed in this application, and these modifications or substitutions should all be covered within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A magnetic tape drive device, characterized in that, include: Base; The magnetic head is mounted on the base; The magnetic tape includes an interconnected data tape and a cleaning tape, the data tape being used to store data and the cleaning tape being used to clean the magnetic head; A magnetic tape driver for driving the magnetic tape to move such that the magnetic tape is aligned with the data tape or the cleaning tape.

2. The magnetic tape drive device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the tape drive drives the tape to align with the data tape body, the magnetic head accesses the data tape body; When the magnetic tape driver drives the magnetic tape to align with the cleaning tape, the cleaning tape cleans the magnetic head.

3. The magnetic tape drive device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The cleaning tape and the data tape are connected along the length of the magnetic tape. Alternatively, the cleaning tape and the data tape are connected along the width of the magnetic tape.

4. The magnetic tape drive device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The cleaning tape and the data tape are connected along the length of the magnetic tape, including: The cleaning belt includes: a first cleaning area and a second cleaning area; The first cleaning area is located at the beginning of the magnetic tape, the second cleaning area is located at the end of the magnetic tape, and the data tape is located between the first cleaning area and the second cleaning area. Alternatively, the cleaning tape body includes multiple cleaning areas, which are alternately arranged with the data tape body along the length of the magnetic tape.

5. The magnetic tape drive device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The cleaning tape and the data tape are connected along the width direction of the magnetic tape, including: The cleaning tape body includes a cleaning sub-tape body, which is disposed on one side of the magnetic tape body; Alternatively, the cleaning tape body includes two cleaning sub-tape bodies, wherein the first cleaning sub-tape body is disposed on the first side of the magnetic tape; the second cleaning sub-tape body is disposed on the second side of the magnetic tape; and the data tape body is located between the first cleaning sub-tape body and the second cleaning sub-tape body. Alternatively, the cleaning tape body may include multiple cleaning sub-tape bodies; the data tape body may include multiple data sub-tape bodies; the multiple cleaning sub-tape bodies and the multiple data sub-tape bodies may be alternately arranged along the width direction of the magnetic tape.

6. The magnetic tape drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The magnetic tape drive also includes a control component; the control component is disposed on the base. The control unit is used to control the tape drive to drive the tape to align the data tape body according to the IO request; The control unit is also used to control the tape drive to align the tape with the cleaning tape body according to the cleaning request.

7. The magnetic tape drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The magnetic tape also includes a verification tape. The verification strip is used to detect whether the cleaned magnetic head has been successfully cleaned.

8. The magnetic tape drive device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The verification belt is arranged adjacent to the cleaning belt.

9. The magnetic tape drive device according to claim 8, characterized in that, When the data tape and the cleaning tape are connected along the length of the magnetic tape, the verification tape and the cleaning tape are arranged adjacent to each other along the length of the magnetic tape; when the data tape and the cleaning tape are connected along the width of the magnetic tape, the verification tape and the cleaning tape are arranged adjacent to each other along the width of the magnetic tape.

10. The magnetic tape drive device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that, The tape drive device also includes a control component; the control component is disposed on the base and is connected to the tape drive; The control unit is used to control the tape drive to drive the tape to align with the verification tape body according to the verification request, so that the cleaned magnetic head aligns with the verification tape body; The control unit is also used to control the tape drive to drive the tape to align with the data tape body, so that the cleaned magnetic head aligns with the data tape body.

11. The magnetic tape drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The tape drive also includes a control component; the control component is disposed on the base; the control component is used to obtain the first read / write error rate of the magnetic head, and when the first read / write error rate meets the cleaning strategy, control the tape drive to drive the tape to align with the cleaning tape; The cleaning strategy is used to indicate the conditions that trigger the head cleaning operation.

12. The magnetic tape drive device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The control unit is also used to control the tape drive to drive the tape to align the verification tape, obtain the second read / write error rate of the cleaned magnetic head on the verification tape, and control the drive to drive the tape to align the data tape when the second read / write error rate indicates that the cleaned magnetic head has been successfully cleaned.

13. The magnetic tape drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The magnetic tape drive device also includes: The housing includes a communication interface for connecting external devices; The inner surface of the housing and the base form a cavity; The magnetic tape, the magnetic head, and the magnetic tape driver are disposed in the cavity.

14. A storage system, characterized in that, The storage system includes at least one magnetic tape drive device as described in any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The storage system according to claim 14, characterized in that, The storage system further includes a controller connected to the at least one magnetic tape drive device; The controller is used to control the tape drive of the at least one tape drive to drive the tape of the at least one tape drive to align the tape of the at least one tape drive to the data tape of the at least one tape drive, and to control the read / write head of the at least one tape drive to access the data tape of the at least one tape drive; Alternatively, the controller is used to control the tape drive of the at least one tape drive to drive the tape of the at least one tape drive to align the tape of the at least one tape drive with the cleaning tape of the at least one tape drive, so that the cleaning tape of the at least one tape drive cleans the magnetic head of the at least one tape drive.

16. A method for cleaning a magnetic head, characterized in that, The method is applied to the magnetic tape drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 13; the method includes: The tape drive is controlled to align the tape with the data tape so that the magnetic head can access the data tape. Obtain the first read / write bit error rate of the magnetic head on the data tape; If the first read / write error rate meets the cleaning strategy, the tape drive is controlled to drive the tape to align the cleaning tape, so that the cleaning tape cleans the magnetic head; the cleaning strategy is used to indicate the conditions for triggering the magnetic head cleaning operation.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The magnetic tape also includes a verification tape; after controlling the magnetic tape driver to drive the magnetic tape to align with the cleaning tape, the method further includes: Receive and respond to the verification request, control the tape drive to drive the tape to align the verification tape, and enable the cleaned magnetic head to read and write data on the verification tape. Obtain the second read / write bit error rate of the cleaned magnetic head on the verification tape; If the second read / write error rate indicates that the cleaned magnetic head has been successfully cleaned, control the tape drive to drive the tape to align with the data tape body, so that the cleaned magnetic head can access the data stored in the data tape body; If the second read / write error rate indicates that the head cleaning after cleaning has failed, the tape driver is controlled to drive the magnetic tape to align with the cleaning tape, so that the cleaning tape cleans the head again.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, The cleaning strategy includes a first cleaning level, a second cleaning level, a first cleaning operation strategy, and a second cleaning operation strategy; the cleaning level is determined based on the first read / write error rate. The first cleanliness level is associated with the first cleaning operation strategy; the second cleanliness level is associated with the second cleaning operation strategy. The first cleaning operation strategy is used to indicate that if the tape drive is in an idle state, the tape driver is controlled to drive the tape to align the cleaning tape and perform a head cleaning operation. The second cleaning operation strategy is used to instruct the tape drive to stop its operation, control the tape driver to align the tape with the cleaning tape, and perform a head cleaning operation.

19. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that, The tape drive device also includes a control unit, and the method is performed by the control unit; Alternatively, the tape drive is connected to a controller, and the method is executed by the controller.

20. A controller, characterized in that, The controller includes a processor and a memory; the processor is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to cause the controller to perform the method as described in any one of claims 16 to 19.

21. A magnetic tape, characterized in that, This includes interconnected data tapes and cleaning tapes; The data tape is used to store data; the cleaning tape is used to clean the magnetic head aligned with the cleaning tape.

22. The magnetic tape according to claim 21, characterized in that, The cleaning belt includes: The baseband includes a first side and a second side along the thickness direction of the baseband, the first side and the second side being disposed opposite to each other; A backing layer, disposed on the second side of the base belt, is used to reduce static electricity buildup and dust accumulation on the cleaning belt body; A magnetic layer, disposed on the first side of the baseband, is used to remove impurities from the surface of the magnetic head.

23. The magnetic tape according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that, The cleaning tape and the data tape are connected along the length of the magnetic tape; or, the cleaning tape and the data tape are connected along the width of the magnetic tape.

24. The magnetic tape according to claim 23, characterized in that, The cleaning tape and the data tape are connected along the length of the magnetic tape, including: The cleaning belt includes: a first cleaning area and a second cleaning area; The first cleaning area is located at the beginning of the magnetic tape, the second cleaning area is located at the end of the magnetic tape, and the data tape is located between the first cleaning area and the second cleaning area. Alternatively, the cleaning tape body includes multiple cleaning areas, which are alternately arranged with the data tape body along the length of the magnetic tape.

25. The magnetic tape according to claim 24, characterized in that, The cleaning tape and the data tape are connected along the width direction of the magnetic tape, including: The cleaning tape body includes a cleaning sub-tape body, which is disposed on one side of the magnetic tape body; Alternatively, the cleaning tape body includes two cleaning sub-tape bodies, with the first cleaning sub-tape body disposed on the first side of the magnetic tape; the second cleaning sub-tape body disposed on the second side of the magnetic tape, and the data tape body located between the first cleaning sub-tape body and the second cleaning sub-tape body; Alternatively, the cleaning tape body may include multiple cleaning sub-tape bodies; the data tape body may include multiple data sub-tape bodies; the multiple cleaning sub-tape bodies and the multiple data sub-tape bodies may be alternately arranged along the width direction of the magnetic tape.

Images