JP2006147034A - Magnetic head apparatus and tape recording and reproducing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a magnetic head apparatus in which reduction of accuracy of head position control caused by non-symmetric output sensitivity distribution of a servo reproducing element is prevented, and which can cope with high track density, and a tape recording and reproducing apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: This apparatus is provided with a memory (storage element) 18 in which output sensitivity information of a servo reproducing element (AMR head) formed in a magnetic head HD is stored, servo information is compensated in a control part 21 based on output of the servo reproducing element and output sensitivity information of the servo reproducing element stored in the memory 18, and track following operation of the magnetic head HD for a magnetic tape T is performed. Thereby, reduction of track position control caused by dispersion of output sensitivity the servo reproducing element is prevented, highly accurate servo position control can be realized. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a magnetic head device and a tape recording / reproducing device used in a tape streamer system represented by DLT (Digital Linear Tape), LTO (Linear Tape Open), AIT (Advanced Intelligent Tape) and the like.

  In recent years, due to the explosive increase in the amount of digital data typified by computers, a large-scale backup system is required, and tape storage systems that are excellent in cost merit per bit are frequently used.

  In a tape-based storage system, a magnetic recording system (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below) in which a magnetic head is installed on a rotating drum and magnetization information is recorded obliquely on a magnetic recording medium (tape), and the tape is run at high speed, There is a linear recording method (for example, refer to Patent Document 2 below) in which magnetization information is recorded on a tape by driving the head up and down. However, any of these methods has been studied for increasing the recording density for the purpose of increasing the recording capacity. Has been done.

  Taking linear tape storage as an example, the following two recording density improvements are necessary to achieve a high recording density. The first is the linear recording density indicating the recording density in the head running direction, and the second is the track density indicating the number of data in the tape width direction. The surface recording density is determined by track density × linear recording density.

JP 2002-150515 A JP 2003-132504 A JP 2000-306222 A

  In order to increase the recording density of the tape storage system, it is necessary to reduce the magnetic recording width (= track width) in order to improve the track density. However, when the track width is reduced, servo technology for controlling the position of the magnetic head to a predetermined position on the tape medium with higher accuracy becomes important.

  For servo technology, a technology unique to each system is used. For example, in a linear tape system, a time base detection of a servo signal is performed by detecting a temporal peak of a servo signal, and a head position is controlled from a time axis. An amplitude base method that detects the position from the magnitude of the reproduction output is adopted, and an ATF (Automatic Track Finding) method is adopted in the helical scan system.

  Here, for example, in a servo method that performs position detection based on the magnitude of the servo signal reproduction output, if there is an asymmetry in the output distribution of the servo reproduction element that reproduces the servo track signal, the servo position detection will be shifted. There's a problem. In this case, there may be a problem that data cannot be written at a prescribed position, or written information cannot be read with the maximum signal strength.

  The servo reproducing element is often composed of an anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) head. However, the AMR head is generally used by applying a bias magnetic field so that the magnetization direction is inclined by about 45 degrees with respect to the tape surface with respect to the track width direction for the purpose of reproducing the magnetization information with the highest sensitivity. For this reason, it is known that the sensitivity distribution of the servo reproducing element is asymmetric (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

    On the other hand, as a method for improving the sensitivity distribution of the AMR head, a two-layer MR head or the like in which the element shape is changed or the track profile is symmetric in principle has been proposed. However, in the former example, there is a problem that the center position changes due to the progress of wear of the servo reproducing element facing the sliding surface of the tape, and the sensitivity peak shifts. In the latter example, the film thickness of the servo reproducing element becomes large. For this reason, there is a problem that it becomes impossible to cope with the narrow gap of the shield interval which will be further developed in the future.

  Therefore, the problem caused by the asymmetry of the output sensitivity distribution of the servo reproducing element becomes more remarkable as the track density is increased. For this reason, the present situation is that there is a demand for a solution that can sufficiently cope with an increase in recording density and that is effective for use in a tape storage system.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and can prevent head position control accuracy from being lowered due to the asymmetric output sensitivity distribution of the servo reproducing element, and can cope with higher track density, and is particularly used in a tape storage system. It is an object of the present invention to provide a suitable magnetic head device and tape recording / reproducing device.

  In solving the above problems, the magnetic head device of the present invention includes a magnetic head in which a servo reproducing element and a data recording / reproducing element are formed, a storage element in which output sensitivity information of the servo reproducing element is stored, and a servo reproduction. Track tracking means for moving the magnetic head in the track width direction based on the output of the element and the output sensitivity information is provided.

  The tape recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention includes a magnetic head having a servo reproducing element and a data recording / reproducing element, a storage element storing output sensitivity information of the servo reproducing element, an output of the servo reproducing element, and the storage element. Control means for correcting the position information of the servo reproducing element based on the stored output sensitivity information, and track following means for moving the magnetic head in the track width direction based on the output of the control means are provided.

  According to the present invention, the track following operation of the magnetic head is executed based on the output of the servo reproducing element and the output sensitivity information of the servo reproducing element read from the storage element. High-precision servo position control for a predetermined data track can be performed.

  As the output sensitivity information of the servo reproducing element stored in the storage element, in the present invention, the output sensitivity distribution detected in advance while moving the servo reproducing element in the width direction of the servo track in which the servo signal is recorded, or Servo reproducing element position correction information obtained from the output sensitivity distribution is used. These pieces of output sensitivity information are appropriately read out by the control means and are used for drive control of the track following means.

  As the storage element, a non-volatile memory capable of storing and holding required information even when the power is turned off, such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM) and a ferroelectric RAM (Ferro-electric RAM), is suitable. Such a storage element can be mounted on a module substrate connected to the magnetic head via a flexible wiring substrate or the like, a control substrate for controlling the entire function of the tape recording / reproducing apparatus, or the like.

  Further, element information unique to the servo reproducing element or the data recording / reproducing element, for example, a control parameter capable of exhibiting different optimum performance for each element such as a recording current and a sense current may be simultaneously stored in this type of storage element.

  Since the magnetic tape travels while being in sliding contact with the magnetic head, the servo reproducing element facing the sliding surface of the magnetic head may change in element characteristics due to wear. Therefore, it is preferable that a plurality of types of output sensitivity information are stored in the storage element that stores the output sensitivity information of the servo reproducing element in accordance with the progress of wear of the servo reproducing element.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the storage element storing the output sensitivity information of the servo reproducing element is provided, and the track following operation of the magnetic head can be executed based on the output sensitivity information. High-precision servo position control for a predetermined data track of the recording / reproducing element can be performed, and a highly reliable tape storage system corresponding to high track density can be constructed.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a tape recording / reproducing apparatus 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The tape recording / reproducing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment includes a cartridge mounting portion 12 to which a single reel type magnetic tape cartridge 11 is mounted, a take-up reel 14 for winding the magnetic tape T drawn from the magnetic tape cartridge 11, and a magnetic And a magnetic head device 15 for recording and reproducing information with respect to the tape 14.

  Although not shown, the tape recording / reproducing apparatus 10 includes an input / output unit for information with a computer system, a power supply module unit, a coarse actuator that moves the magnetic head device 15 in the tape width direction, and the like. .

  In the present embodiment, the tape recording / reproducing apparatus 10 is configured as a linear recording type tape drive apparatus, but is not limited thereto, and may be configured as a helical recording type tape drive apparatus.

The cartridge mounting unit 12 has a reel drive mechanism that rotates the tape reel of the mounted magnetic tape cartridge 11, a reel lock release mechanism that releases the reel lock of the tape reel, and pulls out the magnetic tape T from the magnetic tape cartridge 11, and a plurality of It includes a tape loading mechanism that transports the leading end of the tape to the take-up reel 14 through a guide roller 13 through a predetermined tape path. These various mechanisms are driven via a cartridge drive system 16.
On the other hand, the take-up reel 14 is driven to rotate via a take-up reel drive system 17.

  The magnetic head device 15 includes a magnetic head HD, a memory 18, and a track following mechanism 19.

  The magnetic head HD records information on the data track on the magnetic tape T and / or reproduces the information recorded on the data track, and a servo reproducing element that reproduces the servo signal recorded on the servo track on the magnetic tape T. A data recording / reproducing element. In this embodiment, the servo reproducing element is composed of an anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) magnetic head element, and the data recording / reproducing element is composed of a reproducing head composed of an AMR magnetic head element and an induction type magnetic head element. It is composed of a composite head in which a recording head is laminated.

  The memory 18 stores output sensitivity information of the servo reproducing element which is an anisotropic magnetoresistive magnetic head element. This output sensitivity information will be described later.

  The track following mechanism 19 moves the magnetic head HD in the track width direction to perform high-precision positioning of the data recording / reproducing element with respect to the data track. The track following mechanism 19 outputs the servo reproducing element and the servo stored in the memory 18. Based on the output sensitivity information of the reproducing element, it is driven in response to a command from the control unit 21 of the tape recording / reproducing apparatus 10.

  The control unit 21 controls the overall functions of various drive systems such as the magnetic head device 15, the cartridge drive system 16, and the take-up reel drive system 17 that constitute the tape recording / reproducing apparatus 10. A servo signal and a data signal read by the magnetic head HD are supplied to the control unit 21 via the signal processing unit 20. The control unit 21 supplies a predetermined recording signal to the data recording / reproducing element of the magnetic head HD via the signal processing unit 20.

  2 and 3 schematically show an example of a tape format in the linear tape system, and a plurality of servo bands SB (SB1, SB2, SB3,...) Extending along the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape T are shown. Are arranged in parallel in the width direction of the magnetic tape T, and are partitioned between the servo bands SB to form a plurality of data bands DB (DB1, DB2, DB3,...). In these data bands DB, a number of data tracks DT are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape T. The magnetic tape T has a structure in which a plurality of data tracks are simultaneously recorded and reproduced in a selected data band by a multi-channel magnetic head HD.

The magnetic tape T reciprocally slides in the tape longitudinal direction (in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 3) with respect to the magnetic head HD. At the time of this reciprocating transition, the magnetic head HD moves in the tape width direction (in the direction of arrow V in FIG. 3). By shifting to a predetermined amount, information is recorded or reproduced on a plurality of different data tracks DT via the tape recording / reproducing element D.
At this time, the servo signal recorded in the servo band SB is read by the servo reproducing element S, and the drive control of the track following mechanism 19 is performed by the control unit 21 based on this servo signal, and the magnetic head HD for the target data track is controlled. Tracking servo is performed by a minute movement.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of servo control based on the amplitude base method, in which a servo signal (burst signal) SBa recorded on a predetermined servo track in the servo band SB is detected, and the output of the servo reproducing element S is maximized. In this way, the servo system controls the position of the magnetic head HD in the V direction.

  The servo reproducing element S and each data recording / reproducing element D are arranged at a predetermined interval. When the center of the servo reproducing element S is located at the center of a predetermined servo track, the center of each data recording / reproducing element D is These are positioned at the center of the corresponding data track. Then, by performing servo control by the reproduction signal of the servo reproducing element S, each data recording / reproducing element D is caused to follow the data track DT, and information is recorded and / or reproduced.

  FIG. 4 is a microtrack profile (MTP) showing the output sensitivity part distribution of the servo reproducing element S in the servo control example of FIG. This microtrack profile is a reproduction output profile (off-track profile) when the servo reproduction element S is moved in the track width direction. In this example, the element width of the servo reproducing element S (formation width in the V direction in FIG. 3) is 7 μm, and the recording width of the servo signal SBa is 5 μm.

  The AMR element constituting the servo reproducing element S is used by applying a bias magnetic field so that the magnetization direction is inclined by 45 degrees with respect to the tape surface for the purpose of reproducing magnetization information with the highest sensitivity. For this reason, the output sensitivity distribution of the servo reproducing element S is asymmetric with respect to the track width direction as shown in FIG.

That is, in FIG. 4, the position where the maximum value of the output is obtained is P1, but the center of the actual servo reproducing element S is the intermediate point P4 between P2 and P3 where the element sensitivity is obtained, and the output maximum point of the sensitivity distribution. A shift amount of SP1 occurs between P1 and the actual element center P4.
Therefore, when the servo reproducing element S is adjusted in the V direction so that the output becomes the maximum value, the data recording / reproducing element D generates a shift amount corresponding to “SP1” with respect to the data track DT, thereby defining the data. There is a possibility that problems such as being unable to write to the position of the position or reading the written information with the maximum signal strength may occur.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the output sensitivity information of the servo reproducing element S is stored in the memory 18 of the magnetic head device 15. When the tracking servo of the magnetic head HD is performed, the control unit 21 reads out the output sensitivity information of the servo reproducing element S from the memory 18 to correct the servo reproduction signal, and corrects the servo information (position information of the servo reproducing element S). ), The drive control of the track following mechanism 19 is performed.

The output sensitivity information stored in the memory 18 corresponds to the output sensitivity distribution (track profile) of the servo reproducing element S detected in advance as shown in FIG. 4, for example.
In this case, the control unit 21 compares the position of the maximum sensitivity value (P1) output from the servo reproducing element S with the center value (intermediate point P4 between P2 and P3) of the element sensitivity range obtained from the track profile. Then, the amount of deviation (SP1) generated (about 0.8 μm in this example) is calculated.
Based on this information, servo control corrected to the output when the head position is moved to the position P4 side by SP1 from the position P1 where the maximum sensitivity is obtained (output obtained by subtracting ΔV from the output of P1) is performed.

  This makes it possible to achieve highly accurate head position control, so that data can be correctly written to the specified data track position, or the information written at the specified data track position can be maximized in signal strength. Thus, it is possible to construct a highly reliable tape-based storage system that supports high track density.

Here, the memory 18 is composed of a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM, and in this example, a module substrate (not shown) connected to a track following mechanism that supports the magnetic head via a flexible wiring board (not shown). ) Is implemented.
In addition to this, for example, as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, it may be mounted on a control board constituting the control unit 21 of the tape recording / reproducing apparatus 10.

  In the memory 18, not only the output sensitivity information of the servo reproducing element S described above but also element information unique to the servo reproducing element S or the data recording / reproducing element D, for example, for each element (for each head) such as a recording current or a sense current Control parameters that can exhibit different optimum performances may be stored simultaneously.

  The output sensitivity information of the servo reproducing element S stored in the memory 18 is not limited to the track profile (output sensitivity distribution) shown in FIG. 4, but the position correction information of the servo reproducing element S obtained from this track profile, For example, only information (correction amount, head correction direction, etc.) relating to the shift amount (SP1) between the element maximum sensitivity position P1 and the element width center position P4 may be used.

  Next, a method for measuring the MTP of the servo reproducing element S shown in FIG. 4 will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a track profile measuring apparatus using a laser displacement meter.

For the measurement, a head tester in which the tape running performance is maintained with high accuracy (tape meandering is suppressed) is used. On the tape 26 used for the measurement, a servo signal 26a magnetically recorded with a recording track width equivalent to the actual servo signal is recorded.
The servo reproducing element S of the magnetic head HD is driven with high precision by a stepping motor or the like in a (+ V) direction at a predetermined pitch from a portion without a recording pattern on the tape 26. The moving distance of the magnetic head HD is measured by the laser displacement meter 25, and the measured value is input to the computer 27. At the same time, the output of the servo reproducing element S is input to the computer 27. As a result, a reproduction output sensitivity distribution (track profile) of the servo signal 26a detected while moving the magnetic head HD in the + V direction is obtained. The obtained sensitivity distribution information is recorded in the memory 18.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described by taking another servo technique using the amplitude method as an example.
Here, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of this servo system, FIG. 7 is a timing diagram showing the reproduction output of the servo signal, and FIG. 8 is an output sensitivity distribution (track profile) of the servo reproduction element S in this servo system.

  In the servo system according to the present embodiment, two burst signals SBa and SBb arranged at different positions on the servo band SB are reproduced by the servo reproducing element S so that the output difference between the burst signals SBa and SBb is minimized. The position of the magnetic head HD is controlled.

In this servo system, as shown in FIG. 7, since the head position is controlled so that the signal output Va of the burst signal SBa and the signal output Vb of the burst signal SBb are equal, the output sensitivity distribution of the servo reproducing element S Is symmetrical, the center position of the servo reproducing element S coincides with the center of the burst signal SBa and the burst signal SBb (C line in FIG. 6).
6 and 7 are various timing signals recorded on the servo band SB.

At this time, as described in the first embodiment, the servo reproducing element S composed of the AMR head has the asymmetry of the output sensitivity in the element width direction, so that the two burst signals SBa , SBb are not necessarily located at the center of the element width of the servo reproducing element S.
In this case, the servo position accuracy can be improved by measuring the output sensitivity distribution (MTP) with a recording track width of about ½ of the servo reproducing element S and performing correction.

FIG. 8 shows an output sensitivity distribution obtained when the 3.5 μm servo burst signals SBa and SBb are off-tracked by the servo reproducing element S having an optical element width of 7 μm.
Assuming that the servo reproducing element S has an element width of 7 μm and a symmetrical output sensitivity distribution, the output Va at point (a) 3.5 μm inside from the position P2 on the track profile and 3.5 μm from the position P3 The output Vb at the inner (b) point is the same as each other.
However, in reality, an output difference of Va−Vb is generated between the output Va and the output Vb (FIG. 8).

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the tape recording / reproducing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, the output sensitivity distribution of FIG. 8 is stored in the memory 18, and the servo reproducing element S is equally between the two burst signals SBa and SBb. The control unit 21 is caused to perform correction so that an output difference (Va−Vb) occurs between the output Va and the output Vb. Then, by driving the track following mechanism 19 with the corrected control signal, the servo reproducing element S or the data recording / reproducing element D of the magnetic head HD is controlled to the target track position, and highly accurate servo position control is realized. To do.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The following description is similarly applied to the above-described first and second embodiments.

  In the magnetic head device 15 in the tape storage system, when the servo reproducing element S is formed facing the tape sliding surface of the magnetic head HD, the element characteristics tend to change due to wear due to sliding friction with the magnetic tape T. is there. In this case, the output sensitivity distribution (MTP) of the servo reproducing element S fluctuates before and after the wear, and the degree of the fluctuation varies depending on the progress of the wear of the element S.

  FIG. 9 shows an output sensitivity distribution that changes as the wear of the servo reproducing element S progresses. Step 1 shows the characteristics when the MR height (depth: element dimension in the direction perpendicular to the tape surface) of the servo reproducing element S is 3 μm. Steps 2, 3 and 4 show that the wear proceeds and the MR height increases. The characteristics at 2.5 μm, 2 μm, and 1.5 μm are shown, respectively.

  As is apparent from FIG. 9, when the servo reproducing element S is worn, not only the reproduction output of the servo signal increases, but also the asymmetry of the output sensitivity distribution tends to be lost. From this, it is understood that the servo position accuracy is seriously affected.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, a plurality of types of output sensitivity information measured in accordance with the progress of wear of the servo reproducing element S are stored in the memory 18 with respect to the memory 18 storing the output sensitivity information of the servo reproducing element S. Yes. Then, the control unit 21 uses the plurality of types of output sensitivity information as predicted change information of the servo reproducing element S, converts the head wear amount from the reproduction output change (resistance change) of the servo signal, and outputs corresponding to this. The correction information is sequentially updated by a method such as selecting a sensitivity distribution. The servo signal correction method can be performed, for example, by the method described in the second embodiment.

  As a result, it is possible to realize optimum servo position control in accordance with the amount of wear on the sliding surface of the magnetic head HD, and it becomes possible to perform track tracking control with higher accuracy.

  Here, the plurality of types of output sensitivity information may be a plurality of output sensitivity distributions themselves measured in advance corresponding to the amount of wear of the element as shown in FIG. 9, or may be obtained from these output sensitivity distributions. The position correction information of the element S may be used. Further, the number of stored output sensitivity distributions is not limited to the above four types, and it is of course possible to further increase the number.

  As mentioned above, although each embodiment of this invention was described, of course, this invention is not limited to these, A various deformation | transformation is possible based on the technical idea of this invention.

  For example, in each of the above embodiments, the amplitude base method has been described as an example of the servo method. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is applicable to other servo methods such as the timing base method and the ATF method. Applicable.

  In each of the above embodiments, the magnetic head device and the tape recording / reproducing device for the tape storage system in the linear recording method have been described as examples. However, instead of this, the tape storage system in the helical recording method is also used. The present invention is applicable. In particular, the helical recording system is particularly effective in the third embodiment described above because the head sliding surface is relatively worn by sliding with the magnetic tape as compared with the linear recording system.

  Further, the correction of the servo information based on the output sensitivity information stored in the memory 18 is not limited to the calculation method as described in the above embodiments.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a tape recording / reproducing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of the tape format of a linear recording system. It is explanatory drawing of the servo system by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 4 is an output sensitivity distribution example of a servo reproducing element in the servo system of FIG. 3. It is a figure explaining the measuring method of the output sensitivity distribution of a servo reproduction element. It is explanatory drawing of the servo system by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 7 is a timing diagram of a servo reproduction signal in the servo system of FIG. 6. 7 is an output sensitivity distribution example of a servo reproducing element in the servo system of FIG. It is a figure which shows the mode of the change of output sensitivity distribution by the progress of abrasion of a servo reproduction element demonstrated in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Tape recording / reproducing apparatus, 11 ... Magnetic tape cartridge, 12 ... Cartridge mounting part, 13 ... Guide roller, 14 ... Take-up reel, 15 ... Magnetic head apparatus, 16 ... Cartridge drive system, 17 ... Take-up reel drive system, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 18 ... Memory (memory element), 19 ... Track following mechanism, 20 ... Signal processing part, 21 ... Control part, HD ... Magnetic head, D ... Data recording / reproducing element, DB ... Data band, DT ... Data track, S ... Servo Reproducing element, SB ... servo band, SBa, SBb ... servo (burst) signal, T ... magnetic tape.

Claims (10)

A servo reproducing element for reproducing a servo signal recorded on a servo track on the magnetic tape; and a data recording / reproducing element for recording information on a data track on the magnetic tape and / or reproducing information recorded on the data track. A magnetic head device comprising:
A magnetic head in which the servo reproducing element and the data recording / reproducing element are formed;
A storage element storing output sensitivity information of the servo reproducing element;
A magnetic head device comprising: track following means for moving the magnetic head in a track width direction based on the output of the servo reproducing element and output sensitivity information stored in the storage element. The output sensitivity information of the servo reproducing element is an output sensitivity distribution detected in advance while moving the servo reproducing element in a width direction of a servo track in which the servo signal is recorded. Magnetic head device. The output sensitivity information of the servo reproducing element is position correction information of the servo reproducing element obtained in advance from the output sensitivity distribution detected while moving the servo reproducing element in the width direction of the servo track on which the servo signal is recorded. The magnetic head device according to claim 1, wherein: The magnetic head device according to claim 1, wherein the storage element stores a plurality of types of output sensitivity information in accordance with the progress of wear of the servo reproducing element. The magnetic head device according to claim 1, wherein the servo reproducing element is an anisotropic magnetoresistive magnetic head element. A servo reproducing element for reproducing a servo signal recorded on a servo track on the magnetic tape; and a data recording / reproducing element for recording information on a data track on the magnetic tape and / or reproducing information recorded on the data track. A tape recording / reproducing apparatus comprising a magnetic head having
A storage element storing output sensitivity information of the servo reproducing element;
Control means for correcting position information of the servo reproducing element based on the output of the servo reproducing element and output sensitivity information stored in the storage element;
A tape recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: a track following means for moving the magnetic head in a track width direction based on an output of the control means. The output sensitivity information of the servo reproduction element is an output sensitivity distribution detected in advance while moving the servo reproduction element in the width direction of the servo track in which the servo signal is recorded. Tape recorder / player. The output sensitivity information of the servo reproducing element is position correction information of the servo reproducing element obtained in advance from the output sensitivity distribution detected while moving the servo reproducing element in the width direction of the servo track on which the servo signal is recorded. The tape recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: The tape recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the storage element stores a plurality of types of the output sensitivity information in accordance with the progress of wear of the servo reproducing element. The tape recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the servo reproducing element is an anisotropic magnetoresistive magnetic head element.

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