HYBRID TAPE HEAD ASSEMBLY AND DRIVE FOR ACCEPTING THE SAME

• US 20120287527A1
• Filed: 05/13/2011
• Published: 11/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Biskeborn, Robert G., Herget, Philipp, Liang, Jason
• Granted Patent: US 8,982,511 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 360/46
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 15/60 Guiding record carrier guiding devices structurally associated with magazines or cassettes G11B23/04
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/10009 Improvement or modification of read or write signals
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 5/265 Structure or manufacture of a head with more than one gap for erasing, recording or reproducing on the same track G11B5/33 takes precedence in thin film structures G11B5/31
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 5/29 Structure or manufacture of unitary devices formed of plural heads for more than one track G11B5/33, G11B5/49 and subgroups take precedence; in thin film structure G11B5/31
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 5/50 Interchangeable mountings, e.g. for replacement of head without readjustment
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 5/584 for track following on tapes

Abstract

A head assembly according to one embodiment includes at least one module having magnetic transducers for reading and/or writing to a magnetic tape; electronics electrically coupled to the transducers, the electronics comprising at least one of amplifiers; bias circuitry; write drivers; write resistors; a memory device; and a chip with at least one of identification information about the head assembly, customization data, and firmware; and a connector for detachably interfacing to a drive having a head region for receiving the head assembly. A magnetic tape drive according to one embodiment includes a head region for removably receiving a head assembly; a mechanical interface to facilitate alignment of the head assembly when inserted in the head region; and a connector for detachably interfacing with the head assembly. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Claims

1. A head assembly, comprising:

at least one module having magnetic transducers for reading and/or writing to a magnetic tape;

electronics electrically coupled to the transducers, the electronics comprising at least one of amplifiers;

bias circuitry;

write drivers;

write resistors;

a memory device; and

a chip with at least one of identification information about the head assembly, customization data, and firmware; and

a connector for detachably interfacing to a drive having a head region for receiving the head assembly.

2. The head assembly of claim 1 having one or more datums for establishing a location of tape bearing surfaces and the transducers relative to the drive.

3. The head assembly of claim 1, wherein the electronics further comprise multiplexers for switching between multiple sets of readers and/or writers.

4. The head assembly of claim 1, wherein the electronics are positioned proximate to the at least one module.

5. The head assembly of claim 1, wherein the electronics are capable of wireless communication with the drive.

6. The head assembly of claim 1, further comprising mechanical tape guiding components.

7. The head assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one actuator for adjusting the position of the transducers relative to the head assembly.

8. The head assembly of claim 1 further comprising a skew adjustment mechanism.

9. A magnetic tape drive, comprising:

a head region for removably receiving a head assembly;

a mechanical interface to facilitate alignment of the head assembly when inserted in the head region;

a connector for detachably interfacing with the head assembly; and

circuitry configured to operate with electronics on the head assembly, the electronics on the head assembly comprising at least one of amplifiers;

bias circuitry;

write drivers;

write resistors;

a memory device; and

a chip with at least one of identification information about the head assembly, customization data, and firmware.

10. The magnetic tape drive of claim 9 wherein the mechanical interface is specified by a standard.

11. The magnetic tape drive of claim 9, wherein the drive is upgraded or downgraded when the head assembly is inserted therein.

12. The magnetic tape drive of claim 9, wherein the mechanical interface has one or more datums for aligning the head assembly relative to the head region.

13. The magnetic tape drive of claim 9, further comprising a skewing actuator for interfacing with the head assembly.

14. The magnetic tape drive of claim 9, wherein the tape drive has a door for enabling insertion of the head assembly into the head region.

15. The magnetic tape drive of claim 9, further comprising electronics coupled to the connector, the electronics being for communicating with one or more of amplifiers, write drives, and bias circuitry on the head assembly.

16. A magnetic tape drive system, comprising:

a drive having a head region for removably receiving a head assembly and a first connector for detachably interfacing with the head assembly;

the head assembly in the head region, the head assembly having electronics electrically coupled to transducers thereof, the electronics comprising at least one of amplifiers;

bias circuitry;

write drivers;

write resistors;

a memory device; and

a chip with at least one of identification information about the head assembly, customization data, and firmware;

the head assembly having a second connector coupled to the electronics, the second connector being detachably coupled to the first connector; and

a mechanical interface between the drive and the head assembly to facilitate alignment of the head assembly relative to the drive.

17. A method comprising:

inserting a head assembly in a head region of a magnetic tape drive, the head assembly having one or more modules containing a plurality magnetic transducers and one of amplifiers, write drives, or bias circuitry;

wherein upon receiving the head assembly the drive is at least one of a functional drive, an updated drive, and a legacy drive.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising removing a second head assembly from the magnetic tape drive before inserting the head assembly.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the drive has at least one of a higher capacity and a higher data rate in operation with the head assembly than it had when operating with the second head assembly.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising installing or activating code in the drive for communicating with the head assembly.