JPH04286791A - Magnetic recording and reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily access recorded data by recording data information and absolute position information as to the recorded data in the helical recording track in a data management area. CONSTITUTION:The absolute position information TS of the helical recording track TR is recorded in a longitudinal recording track on a magnetic tape 1, the helical recording track TR on the magnetic tape 1 is successively set on a data management area DITA and a data recording area UDA, the recording data information and the absolute position information TS as to the data recorded on the helical recording track TR of the data recording area UDA are recorded on the track TR of the data management area DITA, and the data recorded on the track TR of the data recording area UDA is retrieved corresponding to the contents of the recording track TR. Thus, the data recorded on the track TR can be easily accessed.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Table of Contents] The present invention will be explained in the following order. Industrial application field Conventional technology (FIGS. 10 and 11) Problem to be solved by the invention (FIGS. 10 and 11) Means for solving the problem (FIGS. 8 and 9) Effect (FIGS. 8 and 9) ) Example (1) Overall configuration (FIGS. 1 to 7) (2) Configuration of example (FIGS. 8 to 9) (3) Effects of the invention of other examples

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a magnetic recording/reproducing device, and can be applied to, for example, an external storage device for a computer.

0003

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus, recording tracks are sequentially formed diagonally on a magnetic tape.
A so-called ID-1 format data recorder that can record and reproduce desired data at high density has been proposed (ANSI x3.175-199019m).
m Type ID-1 Recorded Inst
rumentation).

That is, as shown in FIG. 10, in this type of data recorder, a magnetic tape 1 is wound around a rotating drum that rotates at a predetermined speed, and by running the magnetic tape 1 at a predetermined speed, the magnetic tape 1 is moved around the rotating drum. The mounted magnetic head sequentially records recording tracks TR (TR1) diagonally.
, TR2, TR3, TR4, TR1, TR2, . . . ), thereby recording desired data on the recording track TR1. Furthermore, at this time, the data recorder forms recording tracks TA, CTL, and TC extending in the longitudinal direction at the upper and lower ends of the magnetic tape 1, and the recording tracks C
The track set ID of the recording track TR is recorded in the TL.

[0005] Here, the track set ID is absolute position information starting from the beginning of the magnetic tape 1, and is inserted between predetermined synchronization signals and is recorded on the recording track TR at four track cycles. There is. Furthermore, the recording tracks TA and TC are designed to be able to record user management data, etc.
By reproducing the TL and TC, data recorded at high density on the recording track TR can be easily searched.

Furthermore, in the data recorder, when recording data on the recording track TR, the data is recorded with a parity code for error detection and correction, which is a so-called product code. It is designed to ensure reliable recording and reproduction. That is, Figure 10
As shown in , the data recorder has a predetermined unit (=36,1
08 [BITE]) After importing the data DATA,
The data DATA is divided into 306 blocks, and each block is divided into 306 blocks.
n) error detection and correction code (i.e. C2 code)
Add.

Further, after dividing the block into first and second fields FIELD0 and FIELD1, a Reed-Solomon error detection and correction code (that is, a C1 code) is applied to each field FIELD0 and FIELD1 so as to be orthogonal to the C2 code. ) is added. This allows the data recorder to improve the bit error rate by correcting errors in reproduced data using the C1 and C2 codes during reproduction.

Furthermore, in the data recorder, when recording the data DATA to which the C1 and C2 codes have been added in this way onto the magnetic tape 1, interleaving processing is performed for each recording track TR, and as a result, even if a dropout occurs, the interleaving process is performed. , the data DATA can be reliably reproduced. That is, in the data recorder, arrows a1, a2, ..., an-1, an, a
For the data DATA input in the order shown by n+1, an+2, ... ax-1, ax,
As shown by b2, .

Furthermore, at this time, in the data recorder, a synchronizing signal SYNC and a sync block data ID are added to each predetermined unit (hereinafter referred to as a sync block), and preamble and postamble data are added as a whole to the data DATA. Record. As a result, during playback, the magnetic recording/reproducing device uses the track sync data included in the preamble as a reference to generate the synchronizing signal SYNC, sync block data ID, and data DA.
The TA can be reproduced and deinterleaved based on the synchronization signal SYNC and the sync block data ID.

Furthermore, by deinterleaving, even if dropout occurs, C1 and C
This effectively prevents errors exceeding the error correction capability of the two codes from concentrating in one place.

[0011]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the ID-1 format data recorder that records and reproduces desired data in this manner, the recording speed is about 10-10, which is sufficient for practical use mainly as a data recording and reproducing device for measurement. It is designed to guarantee a bit error rate of . If this bit error rate can be improved to about 10-15, it is thought that it can be applied to magnetic tape devices of computer systems such as those used in banks, etc., to store extremely important data. Therefore, the usability of this type of data recorder can be improved accordingly, and the field of application can be expanded. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to propose a magnetic recording/reproducing device that can significantly improve the bit error rate compared to the conventional one.

0012

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the problems, in the first invention, absolute position information TS of the helical recording track TR is recorded on the longitudinal recording track CTL on the magnetic tape 1, and The helical recording track TR is set in the data management area DITA and the data recording area UDA in sequence, and the recording data information and absolute position information TS about the data DATA recorded on the helical recording track TR of the data recording area UDA are set in the data management area. Record on helical recording track TR of DITA, and record on helical recording track T of data management area DATA.
The data DATA recorded on the helical recording track TR of the data recording area UDA is searched according to the contents of R. In the second invention, the absolute position information TS recorded in advance on the longitudinal recording track CTL on the magnetic tape 1 is used to set the start position of the data management area DITA and the start position of the data recording area UDA.

[0013]

[Operation] Recorded data information and absolute position information TS regarding the data DATA recorded on the helical recording track TR of the data recording area UDA on the magnetic tape 1 are recorded on the helical recording track TR of the data management area DATA. Thereby, the data DATA recorded on the helical recording track TR of the data recording area UDA can be easily accessed according to the contents of the helical recording track TR of the data management area DATA. In addition, by setting the start position of the data management area DITA and the start position of the data recording area UDA in advance using absolute position information TS, the data management area DITA and data recording area UDA on the magnetic tape 1 can be used during recording and playback. Can be accessed immediately.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

(1) Overall configuration (1-1) Computer system configuration In Figure 1, 1
0 generally shows the schematic configuration of a computer system to which the present invention is applied, in which write data WR sent from the host computer 11 together with a write request is transmitted through the data recorder control device 12 as record data REC,
The data is supplied to a data recorder 13 in ID-1 format, whereby write data WR is written onto a recording track on the magnetic tape 1.

Furthermore, in response to a read request input from the host computer 11, the magnetic tape 1 of the data recorder 13 is reproduced, and the resulting reproduced data PB is sent to the host computer as read data RD through the data recorder control device 12. 11.

This data recorder control device 12 includes a host interface control section 14 and a format control section 1.
5, the host interface control unit 14 controls the channel interface with the host computer 11, and the format control unit 15 controls the memory 16.
The data to be sent to and received from the data recorder 13 is formatted using the data recorder 13. Further, control information is exchanged between the host interface control section 14 and the format control section 15 with reference to a control table 17.

As a result, in the computer system 10, since the data recorder control device 12 is provided, the data recorder 13 can be connected to the external storage device of the host computer 11 using an interface similar to a conventional magnetic tape device on the host computer 11 side. It is designed so that it can be used as a

(1-2) Recording area on magnetic tape In this computer system 10, as shown in FIG. The center portion of the tape, where the degree of damage is relatively small, is used as the recording area AREC, thereby improving the bit error rate.

That is, as shown in FIG. 2(A), the position 10 [m] behind the physical end PBOT of the magnetic tape 1 is set as the logical end LBOT, and the physical end PBOT of the magnetic tape 1 is set as the logical end LBOT. For example, 15 m from the terminal PEOT.
] is the logical end LEOT, and the area from the logical end LBOT to the logical end LEOT is the recording area A.
Used as REC.

In this recording area AREC, as shown in FIG.
For example, 5 from the logical tip LBOT as shown in B).
The area up to the position [m] behind is used as the directory information track area DITA.

[0022] Also, this directory information track area D
Following the ITA, with a non-recording area NRA of a predetermined length in between,
The area between the logical end LEOT and the near end NEOT, which is located 10 [m] before, is used as the user recording track area UDA, and
The area beyond T to the logical end LEOT is used as the volume end information area VEOVA.

(1-3) Recording track format In this computer system 10, the ID-
The user data area of 36,108 [BYTE] for one recording track specified in one format is
As shown in FIG. 3, the data is formatted and the formatted data is interleaved in units of four tracks, thereby improving the bit error rate.

That is, in the computer system 10,
As shown in FIG. 3(A), the write data WR from the host computer 11 is divided into 32,76 blocks, for example, 1 block per recording track TR, with 4 tracks as one set.
The data is recorded as recording data DATA of 8 [BYTE].

At this time, for one recording track TR, 3
Recorded data DATA less than 2,768 [BYTE]
By adding the first supplementary data PD1, the total number becomes 32,768 [BYTE]. Also, in order to store the attached information of this one recording track TR,
320 [BYTE] worth of subcode data SCD is prepared.

In addition to this, the data recorder control device 12
3 for every 94 [BYTE] of subcode data SCD, recording data DATA, or first supplementary data PD1.
As shown in (A), 8[B
Reed-Solom (YTE)
On) error detection and correction code (hereinafter referred to as C3 code C3 according to the C1 and C2 codes in the ID-1 format) is added, which enables more powerful error correction and reduces the bit error rate. This is done so that it can be further improved.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG.
Regarding subcode data SCD, recording data DATA, first supplementary data PD1 and C3 code C3, which are formatted in units of recording tracks, data for four recording tracks TR1, TR2, TR3, and TR4 are tracked using a predetermined method. interleave processing over a period of time,
This makes it possible to further improve the bit error rate.

[0028] In this way, the four recording tracks TR1, T
204 at the beginning of one recording track worth of interleaved data for R2, TR3, and TR4 minutes.
The second supplementary data PD2 of [BYTE] is added, and as a result, the total amount of data for one recording track TR is 36,108[
BYTE].

Furthermore, by formatting the second supplementary data PD2 at the beginning, the supplementary data PD2 is placed in the part of the recording track where the magnetic head enters, where the degree of damage to the magnetic tape 1 itself is high and the tracking is unstable. This allows recording data DATA
It is possible to further improve the bit error rate.

(1-4) Recording Track Layout In the case of this computer system 10, the attached information of the recording track 1 stored in the subcode data SCD is track type information indicating the type of the corresponding recording track TR. TRID, block number BLNO to which recording track TR belongs, file number FL to which recording track TR belongs
NO, write retry count R for recording track TR
Number of bytes of data included in TCT and recording track B
Consists of YCT, etc.

This track type information TRID includes a volume information table VIT and a file information table FI.
Type information of the update information table UIT, dummy data track information DMY, user data track information UDT, tape mark track information TM, or recording end information EOR is recorded.

Here, as actually shown in FIG. 5, first, the track type information TRID of the recording track TR formed in the directory information track area DITA of the magnetic tape 1 is
As such, the volume information table VIT, file information table FIT, update information table UIT, or dummy data track information DMY is used.

[0033] This directory information track area DIT
A directory information table DIT that manages the files on the magnetic tape 1 as a whole is recorded, and first 1.5 [m] from the logical end LBOT of the magnetic tape 1.
Following the rising area RUA, a recording track consisting of the volume information table VIT is recorded with four tracks consisting of a track set.

The recorded data DATA of the volume information table VIT includes the beginning and end position information of the data block recorded in the user recording track area UDA with the entire magnetic tape 1 as one volume, and the length information and recording of the file information table FIT. The block number of the data block for which the write retry was executed is recorded.

A file information table FIT is also recorded on the 256 recording track following the volume information table VIT. The recording data DATA of this file information table FIT records the head position information and block length of each file recorded in the user recording track area UDA.

Further, following the file information table FIT, dummy data track information DMY is created for a predetermined number of tracks.
is recorded, and the update information table U is updated for the following 4 recording tracks.
Record IT. In the record data DATA of this update information table UIT, information indicating whether or not there is an update is recorded.

[0037]Following this update information table UIT, from the beginning of the directory information track area DITA
Dummy data track information DMY is recorded on the recording track TR up to 2.5 [m], and the remaining 2.5 [m] of directory information track area DITA is used as a spare area M.
Secured as GA.

Next, as the track type information TRID of the recording track TR formed in the user recording track area UDA next to the directory information track area DITA of the magnetic tape 1 and sandwiching the non-recording area NRA, user data track information UDT, tape Mark track information TM
Or use the recording end information EOR.

The recording tracks TR of this user recording track area UDA are the user data tracks of a plurality of blocks constituting one file, which are sandwiched between the recording tracks TR of tape mark track information TM whose unit is four tracks. A recording track TR of information UDT is recorded, and a recording track TR of recording end information EOR is recorded following the last of the user data track information UDT.

Note that the recording data DATA of the tape mark track information TM and recording end information EOR includes 32, 7
The first supplementary data PD1 for 68 [BYTE] is recorded, and data corresponding to the write data WA input from the host computer 11 is recorded in the recording data DATA of the recording track TR of the user recording track area UDA.

In this way, this computer system 10
, a directory information track area DITA is provided at the beginning of the magnetic tape 1, and a user recording track area U is provided.
By managing the contents of the DA on a file-by-file basis, data recorded on the data recorder 13 can be accessed from the host computer 11 in the same way as an external recording device.

(1-5) Configuration of the recording format section of the format control section Here, the format control section 15 of the data recorder control device 12 in this computer system 10 has a recording format as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 together with the memory 16. 20 and a playback format section 40.

That is, in the recording format control section 20, the host interface control section 14, 32
The data for each bit is stored in the memory (i.e., first in first out) as 4-channel 8-bit parallel write data D0.
The write data D0 is synchronized with the internal clock CK by inputting it to the (FIFO) circuit 21 consisting of
2 and sends it to the CRC error detection circuit 23.

Note that the write data D0 is processed for every four channels inside the recording format control section 20, but in the description of the recording format control section 20, data for one channel will be explained.

The CRC error detection circuit 23 receives input data D.
CRC (cyclic redundancy)
y code) and inputs the detection result CRCK to the system control circuit 24, which has a computer configuration including a CPU.

Note that when the system control circuit 24 detects an error in the input data D1 based on the detection result CRCK of the CRC error detection circuit 23, it returns this to the host interface control section 14 as an error detection signal ER. As a result, for example, the host interface control unit 14 executes retransmission processing for the write data D0 in which the error exists.

The buffer memory 22 buffers the input data D1 by one recording track TR as described above with reference to FIG. 3, and stores the resulting recording data DATA.
The first buffer data D2 corresponding to the first buffer data D2 is sent to the first multiplexer 25.

In addition to the first buffer data D2, the first multiplexer 25 receives first supplementary data PD1 for tape mark track information TM sent from the tape mark generation circuit 26 and dummy data generation circuit 27, respectively. Dummy data track information DMY sent from
Dummy data for the first supplementary data PD for the recording data DATA sent from the supplementary data generation circuit 28
1 is input.

As a result, the first multiplexer 25 selects the recording data DATA of the first buffer data D2 according to the control signal CNT inputted from the system control circuit 24.
The second buffer data D3 is generated by adding the first supplementary data PD1 to the second buffer data D3, and is sent to the second multiplexer 29.

In addition to the second buffer data D3, the second multiplexer 29 receives the directory information table DIT sent from the directory information table memory 30, and the subcode generated by the subcode generation circuit 31 based on the contents of the directory information table 30. The subcode data SCD is input.

Practical directory information table memory 3
0 stores the directory information table DIT described above with reference to FIG.
IT length information and the block number of the data block for which write retry was performed during recording are generated.

As a result, the second multiplexer 25 assigns the subcode data S to the second buffer data D3 in accordance with the control signal CNT inputted from the system control circuit 24.
By adding the CD, the format described above with reference to FIG. 3 is formed, and this is sent to the C3 code generation circuit 32 as third buffer data D4.

The C3 code generation circuit 32 generates the C3 code C3 of 8 [BYTE] as described above with reference to FIG. Send.

The interleaving circuit 33 executes the interleaving process for the four tracks shown in FIG. 4 by sequentially loading four tracks of recorded track data D5 into the interleaving memory and outputting them in a predetermined order. The second recording track data D6 is sent to the third multiplexer 34.

The third multiplexer 34 receives, in addition to the second recording track data D6, the second supplementary data PD1 sent from the second supplementary data generating circuit 35 and the synchronization code generating circuit 36. Synchronization code data is input.

As a result, the third multiplexer 34 adds the second supplementary data PD2 and the synchronization code data to the second recording track data D6 in accordance with the control signal CNT inputted from the system control circuit 24. The obtained third recording track data D7 is sent to the parallel-to-serial conversion circuit 37.

The parallel-to-serial conversion circuit 37 converts the third recording track data D7 consisting of four channels of 8-bit parallel into 32-bit serial recording data S0, which is sent to the data recorder 13 as recording data REC through the output circuit 38. is input.

In this manner, the recording format control unit 20 of the format control unit 15 processes the write data D0 input from the host interface control unit 14.
3 to 5, the recording data REC is generated and recorded on the magnetic tape 1 based on the ID-1 format as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

(1-6) Configuration of the playback format section of the format control section In the playback format section 40 shown in FIG.
Serial playback data P played back by data recorder 13
B is input to the serial-parallel conversion circuit 41, and 32
The first bit consists of 4 channels of 8-bit parallel bits.
is converted into reproduced data D10, which is input to the deinterleaving circuit 42.

Similar to the interleave circuit 33 of the recording format unit 20, the deinterleave circuit 42 performs deinterleaving corresponding to the interleaving process of the interleave circuit 33 by sequentially taking in the first reproduced data D10 and outputting it in a predetermined order. The processing is executed, and the resulting second reproduced data D11 is input to the C3 error correction circuit 43.

The C3 error correction circuit 43 converts the C3 code C added by the C3 code generation circuit 32 of the recording format section 20.
3 is used to perform error correction processing on the second reproduced data D11, and the third reproduced data D1 obtained as a result
Send 2.

In fact, among this third reproduction data D12, as shown in FIG. 5, the data corresponding to the user recorded data track UDT is input to the buffer memory 44, and the data corresponding to the directory information table DIT is input to the subcode memory 45. and input into the directory information table memory 46.

The buffer memory 44 deletes the first supplementary data PD1 included in the third reproduced data D12,
This is input to the memory circuit 47 as fourth reproduction data D13 and synchronized with an external clock, and is sent to the host interface control section 14 as read data D14 outputted from the reproduction format control section 40.

Note that when the directory information table DIT input to the directory information table memory 46 is updated, the system control circuit 24 updates the directory information table DI with the data recorder control signal CDIR.
The update information UDD of T is sent to the data recorder 13, and the contents of the directory information table DIT on the magnetic tape 1 are updated.

The system control circuit 24 also outputs the output data D.
14, a control signal CHI is used to send a response to a data reproduction request inputted from the host interface control section 14.
It is sent to the host interface control unit 14 as C.

In this way, the playback format control section 20 of the format control section 15 performs the inverse formatting process of the formatting process described above in FIGS. 3 to 5 on the playback data PB played back by the data recorder 13. , generates read data D14 and sends it to the host interface control section 14.

(2) Configuration of the embodiment FIG. 8 shows the recording area on the magnetic tape 1 according to the embodiment,
Directory information table area D mentioned above in FIG. 2(B)
ITA controls the control track CTL of magnetic tape 1.
For example, the value TS is predetermined to start from the absolute position of "1,000", and similarly the user recorded track area UDA is set to the value T.
It is predetermined to start from the absolute position of "10,000" in S.

With this configuration, host computer 1
A control signal consisting of an instruction from 1 is input to the control table 17 via the host interface control section 14, and is interpreted by the CPU of the system control circuit 24 of the format control section 15.

For example, when a command to record a predetermined block of write data WR is input from the host computer 11, the system control circuit 24 stores the data in the memory 1.
6, and upon completion of the preparation, write data WR from the host computer 11 is transferred to the memory 16.
Incorporate into.

When a command to end the transfer of write data WR is input from the host computer 11, the system control circuit 24 calculates the amount of data taken into the memory 16, and uses this amount of data and additional information of the block to be recorded. The subcode data is created and written into the memory of the subcode generation circuit 31.

Repeating this process several times, memory 1
When recording data for the first time when 6 is about to overflow,
For the data recorder 13, the system control circuit 24
Predetermined track set ID (in this case value TS=10,0
A command is issued to start recording from 00), and data recording processing is executed.

Simultaneously with this data recording process, the system control circuit 24 writes the recorded data contents and the recorded track set ID value TS into the memory of the directory information table 30.

In addition to the data, the host computer 1
1, the system control circuit 24 writes this tape mark information into the memory of the directory information table 30, and also controls the recording format control section 20 to write the tape mark information on the magnetic tape of the data recorder 13. 1 tape mark track information TM
Record.

In this manner, when a tape unload command is input from the host computer 11, the system control circuit 24 controls the data recorder 13 to transfer the magnetic tape 1 to a predetermined track set ID (in this case, the value T).
S = 1,000), the contents of the directory information table 30 are transferred to the data memory 16 and recorded in the same way as data recording, and as a result, the directory information table area DITA of the magnetic tape 1 is It is formed.

Furthermore, when reproducing data recorded on the magnetic tape 1 in this way, first the system control circuit 24
is a predetermined track set ID (in this case the value TS=1,
The directory information table area DITA starting from 000) is reproduced and imported into the directory information table memory 46. As a result, the system control circuit 24 can manage what kind of data is recorded on the magnetic tape 1.

In this state, host computer 1
When a data read request for a specific block is input from the data recorder 1, the system control circuit 24 refers to the directory information table memory 46, reads the track set ID value of the specific block, and reads the track set ID value of the specific block.
3 is controlled to reproduce data from the track set ID to the track set ID corresponding to a predetermined amount of data.

[0077] As a result, the reproduced data PB obtained from the data recorder 13 is taken into the data memory 16,
When data eventually accumulates in this memory 16, it is transferred to the host computer 11 as read data RD.

Furthermore, if tape mark track information TM or recording end information EOR exists as subcode data SCD of reproduced data PB obtained from data recorder 13, this can be reported to host computer 11.

According to the above configuration, the track set ID consisting of the additional information and the absolute position information of the recording track TR regarding the data recorded in the recording track TR of the user recording track area UDA of the magnetic tape 1 is stored in the directory information table area DITA. By recording on the recording track TR of the directory information table area DITA, the data recorder 13 can easily access the data recorded on the recording track TR of the user recording track area UDA according to the contents of the recording track TR of the directory information table area DITA. realizable.

Further, according to the above-described configuration, since the leading positions of the directory information table area DITA and the user recording track area UDA are set in advance by the track set ID, the directory information table area of the magnetic tape 1 is changed during recording and reproduction. A data recorder 13 that can immediately access DITA and user recorded track area UDA can be realized.

(3) Other embodiments (3-1) In the above embodiment, a directory information table area DITA and a user recorded track area UDA are provided on the magnetic tape 1, and the absolute positions of each are determined by the track set ID. However, in addition to this, an absolute address that is represented by a correspondence between a physical recording track and a block is uniquely determined on the magnetic tape, and this absolute address is recorded and managed in the directory information table area DITA. Also good.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, if one recording track is one block, then the absolute address ABN is set by the track set ID value TS (=N) and the track set ID block number BN (=1, 2, 3, 4). It can be expressed as

In such a case, the format control section 15
The directory information table area DITA is an area for recording the absolute address ABN, file size, and additional information.
Additional information designated by the host computer 11 may be recorded in each area, and the information in this area may be transferred in response to a request from the host computer 11.

[0084] In this way, the host computer 11
On the other hand, data can be managed as a file image using the magnetic tape 1, and usability can be greatly improved.

(3-2) In the above embodiment, interleaving processing is performed on data every 4 tracks, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, interleaving processing is performed on data every 8 tracks. You can do it like this.

(3-3) In the above-described embodiments, the case where the present invention was applied to an external storage device of a computer was described, but the present invention is not limited to this, but can be widely applied to various magnetic recording and reproducing devices. be able to.

[0087]

As described above, according to the present invention, recorded data information and absolute position information regarding data recorded on a helical recording track in a data recording area on a magnetic tape can be transferred to a helical recording track in a data management area. By recording, it is possible to realize a magnetic recording/reproducing device that can easily access the data recorded on the helical recording track of the data recording area according to the contents of the helical recording track of the data management area. By setting the start position of the data recording area and the start position of the data recording area in advance using absolute position information, a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus is realized that can immediately access the data management area and data recording area on the magnetic tape during recording and playback. can.

In this way, by being able to reliably access the data management area and data recording area on the magnetic tape, the bit error rate as a whole can be dramatically improved, making it the most suitable external storage device for the host computer system. A magnetic recording/reproducing device can be realized.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a computer system to which a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining recording areas on a magnetic tape.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the format of a recording track on a magnetic tape.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining interleave processing between recording tracks.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining a track format on a magnetic tape.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a recording format control section.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a reproduction format control section.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a recording area of a magnetic tape according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a block management method.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a recording format on a magnetic tape according to the ID-1 format.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating interleave processing in ID-1 format.

[Explanation of symbols]

1...magnetic tape, 10...computer system, 1
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Host computer system, 12...Data recorder control device, 13...Data recorder, 15...Format control section, 16...Memory, 20...Record format control section, 40...Reproduction format control section.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. Absolute position information of a helical recording track is recorded on a longitudinal recording track on a magnetic tape, and the helical recording track on the magnetic tape is sequentially set as a data management area and a data recording area, and the data recording Recording recorded data information and the absolute position information regarding the data recorded on the helical recording track of the area on the helical recording track of the data management area,
A magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus characterized in that the data recorded on the helical recording track of the data recording area is retrieved according to the contents of the helical recording track of the data management area. 2. A top position of the data management area and a top position of the data recording area are set using the absolute position information recorded in advance on the longitudinal recording track on the magnetic tape. The magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus according to claim 1.