A tape drive 10 includes first and second spools 16, 18 and a motor control system 42 which includes a first motor 20, a second motor 22, a controller 34 for controlling the operation of at least one of the motors, and a tape monitor device 30, the position of which is adjustable in response to a change in the length of tape extending in a tape path between the first and second spools. The method includes monitoring the position of the tape monitor device, and providing an indication of a required position adjustment of the tape monitor device to adjust a length of the tape path so as to maintain tension in the tape substantially constant. Subsequently controlling at least one of the motors by calculating a corrected rotational velocity of the at least one motor by using the required position adjustment of the tape monitor device; comparing the corrected rotational velocity to a current rotational velocity of the at least one motor and calculating an adjusted rotational velocity. The adjusted rotational velocity is then applied to the at least one motor to achieve the corrected rotational velocity of the at least one motor.
展开▼
