Magnetic data transfer system with dynamic head-to-tape alignment

摘要

A tape drive with a magnetic tape cartridge insertable in a cartridge receptacle in the tape drive, and a magnetic data transfer head having at least two data transfer elements disposed in succession along a transport direction of the tape drive. The vertical position of the magnetic data transfer head in the tape drive is adjustable. The data transfer elements monitor a monitored feature of the magnetic tape, such as a tape edge, a reference track or a servo track, and generate respective signals which are supplied to a controller circuit. The controller circuit, generates a control signal which is supplied to an adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism acts either on an element of the tape cartridge, on a tape guide path internally on the mount for the magnetic data transfer head, or on a tape guide structure which defines a tape transport path within the cartridge, so as to always maintain the difference between the signals as close to zero as possible, thereby also maintaining the transport direction of the magnetic tape perpendicular to the vertical adjustment direction of the magnetic data transfer head.