JPH0646443B2 - Data recording method of magnetic tape device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Overview> The order of recording data on a magnetic tape is as follows. Data is recorded from a central track in the width direction of the magnetic tape, and the magnetic tape or magnetic head is sequentially moved relative to the tape width direction. A data recording method for a magnetic tape device that improves the reliability of data by recording on both side tracks on the magnetic tape width direction.

<Field of Industrial Application> The present invention, when recording data on each track on a magnetic tape, sequentially records data on a magnetic tape described as a serpentine format in units of one or several tracks, or a magnetic tape or magnetic head. The present invention relates to a data recording method of a magnetic tape device for recording while relatively moving in the width direction of the magnetic tape.

The magnetic tape device is used as an external storage device of an information processing device, and particularly used as a backup data recording device of a random access storage device.

Therefore, it is required to improve the reliability of data.

On the other hand, as for the magnetic tape device, it has been demanded to supply a small-sized and inexpensive device, and as a magnetic tape device for satisfying the demand, one adopting a data recording method of a serpentine type has been proposed.

This magnetic tape device has, for example, 9 tracks in the width direction of a conventional magnetic tape, and is different from the one in which data is recorded in byte units by using all 9 tracks. Data is recorded in the width direction of the magnetic tape in units, and when the recording of the data on the track is completed, the magnetic tape or the magnetic head is relatively moved in the width direction of the magnetic tape and the data is recorded by positioning it on the track to be recorded next. It is configured to do.

With such a configuration, the number of circuits for recording / reproducing data is reduced, and the magnetic tape drive circuit is simplified by adopting the streaminge method, and the magnetic tape device is being downsized / inexpensive. . Magnetic tape devices that employ such a data recording method are used more and more in the field of data processing in the future, and therefore there is a further demand for magnetic tape devices that have high data reliability.

<Prior Art> FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a conventional example of a magnetic tape device according to the present invention.

In the figure, 1 indicates a magnetic tape medium, and 2 indicates an information recording direction to be recorded on the magnetic tape medium and its order.

Conventionally, as shown in the same figure, information is first recorded in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape from the outermost track in the width direction of the magnetic tape, and when the recording of data on this track is completed, the head and tape are removed. Relatively move in the width direction of the tape, move the head to the outermost track on the opposite side, position it,
In the future, information will be recorded by moving the magnetic tape in the opposite direction to the one before.

In this way, information was sequentially recorded from the tracks at the outermost ends in the width direction of the magnetic tape to the central track.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> As described above, in the conventional data recording method, data is recorded on the magnetic tape from the side edge to the central portion of the magnetic tape. The information always exists at the outermost end in the magnetic tape width direction.

On the other hand, recording of information on a magnetic tape medium is not always done until it is full, but rather it is recorded on a part of the magnetic tape medium.

Considering the reliability of the data recorded on the magnetic tape medium, both ends in the width direction of the magnetic tape are constantly catalytically slid with the tape guides of the tape running system. It will occur from both ends of the tape medium.

Considering the above points, the conventional data recording method was not always considered to have high data reliability.

<Means for Solving Problems> The present invention is a serpentine for sequentially recording data in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape 1 one by one or in units of multiple tracks in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape 1 as shown in the principle diagram of FIG. In the magnetic tape device of the system, the data is recorded on the magnetic tape sequentially from the track 2 at the central portion in the width direction of the magnetic tape 1 to the tracks 2 at the lateral portions in the magnetic tape width direction.

<Operation> With this configuration, recording of data on the magnetic tape is started from the track in the central portion in the tape width direction, and the usage rate of the tracks on the side portions in the magnetic tape width direction is reduced. Improves reliability.

<Embodiment> FIG. 2 shows an embodiment for recording data according to the present invention.

In the figure, the same symbols as in FIG. 1 indicate the same items.

The magnetic tape 1 is supplied from a reel (not shown) and rewound on the reel.

Further, the magnetic tape is transported by a reel or a capstan at a predetermined speed for recording / reproducing. The magnetic head 4 records / reproduces data on / from the magnetic tape 1.

The tape guides 3 provided on both sides of the magnetic head 4 are provided in order to accurately regulate the traveling position of the magnetic tape 1 passing over the magnetic head 4.

The magnetic head 4 is configured to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction of the magnetic tape 1, that is, in the width direction of the magnetic tape 1, and has a movement guide on one side and a VCM 6 for moving the magnetic head on the other side. It is connected.

The magnetic head 4 is configured so that one or several tracks can be simultaneously recorded on the tape.

Since the magnetic tape 1 has about 18 to 36 tracks, the magnetic head 4 selects tracks by moving in the width direction of the tape.
Record the data in.

In this example, the drive source for driving the magnetic head 4 is V
Although the CM6 is taken as an example, other types such as a feed screw system, a belt drive system, a solenoid system and various linear motors can be adopted.

The position sensor 7 is a sensor for detecting the position of the magnetic head 4. The VCM drive circuit 8 receives a drive signal from the CPU 10 and generates a drive signal for driving the VCM 6 to move and position the magnetic head 4 to a desired track.

The table memory 9 stores a track selection order which is a recording order of data on the magnetic tape.

The CPU 10 is a signal from the sensor 7 and R / R (not shown).
When a recording end signal for a certain track from the W system is received,
The track position to be recorded next is determined based on the current position information from the sensor 7 and the recording order stored in the table memory 9, and a VCM6 drive instruction signal is sent to the VCM drive circuit 8 to cause the magnetic head 4 to move. Move to the next track to be recorded.

Next, the operation will be described.

When the magnetic tape 1 is set in the running system, the magnetic head 4
Moves to the first track of the magnetic tape 1 where data should be recorded.

That is, the order of the tracks to be recorded in the data stored in the table memory 9 is read out, the track at the center in the magnetic tape width direction is designated first, and the VCM is based on this signal.
The VCM 6 is driven through the drive circuit 8, and the R / W gap portion of the magnetic head 4 is moved and positioned on the track at the center of the magnetic tape 1 in the width direction. Magnetic tape 1 in this state
The data is sequentially recorded on the magnetic tape 1 by running.

A well-known structure can be used for recording the data on the magnetic tape 1.

When data is recorded and the tape detects EOT (tape end identification mark) and recording of data on the track is completed, a recording end signal is notified to the CPU 10.

When the CPU 10 receives this recording end signal, the CPU 10 refers to the current position from the sensor 7 and the contents of the table memory 9, and if the current recording track is the widthwise central portion of the magnetic tape 1, the next recording is performed. A track adjacent to the track at the center of the magnetic tape in the width direction is determined, the VCM6 is driven through the VCM drive circuit 8, and the R /
The W gap portion is moved and positioned on a track adjacent to the track at the center of the magnetic tape 1 in the width direction.

On the other hand, since the magnetic tape 1 is sent to the end on the track recorded on the light, this time, on the contrary, it starts traveling toward the start end and records the data to the tape start end (BOT), and the data is recorded on this track. Stop recording data.

In this way, the data is recorded while sequentially selecting the tracks from the track at the center of the width direction of the magnetic tape to the tracks on the side edges.

The track selection order will be described by taking the case of 18 tracks as an example. The track located on the side of the magnetic tape is "1".
And "18" and numbers between them are numbered 2 to 17 in sequence, recording is first started from any of the 9 and 10 tracks, and the remaining 9 and 10 tracks, 8 tracks, and 11 are sequentially recorded. Track, 7 track, 12 track, 6 track, 13 track, 5 track, 14 track, 4 track, 15 track, 3 track, 16
Truck, 2 truck, 17 truck, 1 truck, 1
Record 8 tracks and data.

With this configuration, the magnetic tape 1 is generally used.
In many cases, the data is not fully recorded on the disk, so in most cases the tracks at the end of the magnetic tape are "1" and "1".
Less data is recorded on the 8 "track,
Since the probability that data will be recorded decreases in the part of the tape guide 3 that is most likely to deteriorate, the reliability of data is improved.

<Effect> As described above, the reliability of data is improved by adopting the recording method of the present invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the principle of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a conventional data recording method. Further, in the figure, 1 is a magnetic tape, 2 is an information recording track, 3 is a tape guide, 4 is a magnetic head, 5 is a guide, 6 is a VCM, 7 is a sensor, 8 is a VCM drive circuit, 9 is a table memory, 10 is CPU and are shown respectively.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A magnetic tape is divided into a plurality of tracks in the width direction, data is recorded in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic tape in units of one or several tracks, and after the recording of the data of the unit is completed, the magnetic tape or the magnetic head is In a magnetic tape device that relatively moves in the width direction of a magnetic tape and sequentially records data on the magnetic tape, the order of recording data on each track on the magnetic tape is sequentially 1 or more from the track at the center in the width direction of the magnetic tape. A data recording method for a magnetic tape device, characterized in that data is recorded in tracks on both sides in the width direction of the magnetic tape in units of a plurality of tracks.