JPS6161220A - Magnetic record reproducing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the reliability of the system by recording test signals together with information signals on a magnetic recording medium by a magnetic head, and reproducing these signals from the medium by the head, and at the same time, diagnosing changes in characteristic of the magnetic head by using test signals reproduced by the head. CONSTITUTION:A test signal 3 is inserted before an information signal 2 recorded on a recording track 1 formed on a magnetic recording medium such as a magnetic tape, etc. A signal of a form that can be checked for excessive distortion is used as the test signal. The information signal 2 reproduced from the track 1 is outputted as a reproduced information signal 9 by the magnetic head 5 through an amplifier 6, a signal demodulator 7 and a signal processing device 8. The test signal 3 on the track 1 is analyzed by a test signal decoder 10 by using the magnetic head 5 through the amplifier 6 to find its distortion etc. Then, it is compared with designated data 1 given from the outside by a comparator 12, and judgement as to whether the magnetic head is functioning notmally is made from the comparison output.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to 1. a magnetic recording and reproducing system for recording and reproducing information signals using a magnetic head;

[Prior art]

Conventionally, in a magnetic recording/reproducing system, over time, the magnetic head tends to become clogged with gaps, become rough or dirty on the head surface, and deteriorate the magnetic properties of the head. In such cases, the frequency characteristics tend to deteriorate, for example, the reproduced signal waveform becomes distorted when recording and reproducing analog signals, and the error rate tends to increase when recording and reproducing digital signals. becomes.

In the past, necessary maintenance was performed by determining the degree of deterioration of the actually output information signal through some output means (e.g., speakers, monitors, etc.) to maintain stable system functionality at all times. The problem was that it was difficult to

〔the purpose〕

The present invention has been made in view of one or more problems, and an object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks in a magnetic recording and reproducing system and to facilitate maintenance in order to always obtain stable recording and reproducing characteristics. , aimed at improving system reliability.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a recording format on a magnetic recording medium by a system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of its reproduction system.

1 is a recording track formed on a magnetic recording medium such as a magnetic tape, and 2 is an information signal recorded on the track. In this embodiment, the normal information signal 2
Test signal 3 is inserted before. This test signal 3
For example, signals such as impulses, step pulses, 2T pulses, 1λ5T pulses, and multibursts are used by the monitor device (FIG. 2) described later. That is, a signal in a format that allows checking whether a reproduced information signal band and dynamic range exceeding a specified value can be obtained, whether distortion is too large, etc. is used.

In FIG. 2, 5 is a magnetic head, 6 is an amplifier, 7 is a signal demodulator, and 8 is a signal processor. , and is outputted as a reproduction information signal 9 via a signal processor 8. Further, M is a monitor section. 10 is a test signal decoder, 11 is a comparator, and the test signal 3 on the track 1 is analyzed by the test signal decoder 10 by the magnetic head 5 via the amplifier 6, and its frequency band, dynamic range, distortion, etc. is determined and compared with specified data 11 given from the outside by a comparator 12, and it is determined whether the magnetic head is functioning normally based on the comparison output. Based on this judgment information, if it is determined that the head's magnetism and characteristics have deteriorated, the system is configured to display the necessary information and control the system, such as turning off the power. .

Although the embodiment has been described above in which recording and reproducing is performed using a single magnetic head, the same applies to a case where a plurality of magnetic heads are used. However, in this case, means must be added to check the tracking between each magnetic head, and this must also be added to the above-mentioned criteria.

With the above configuration, even before the deterioration of the system's output signal over time has a significant effect on the output, it is possible to know the deterioration state of the magnetic head characteristics in more detail, thereby ensuring stable recording and reproducing characteristics. Maintaining the system for constant access becomes easier, and the reliability of the system also improves.

〔effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily maintain a magnetic recording and reproducing system that constantly obtains stable recording and reproducing characteristics by constantly diagnosing the characteristics of the magnetic head using test signals on the magnetic recording medium. At the same time, the reliability of the system is improved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a recording format on a magnetic recording medium by a system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration thereof. 1...Magnetic recording medium 2...Information signal 3...Test signal 5...Magnetic head 8 ...... Signal processor 9 ...... Reproduction information signal output 10 ...
・Test signal decoder 12... Comparator

Claims (1)

[Claims] A test signal is recorded along with an information signal on a magnetic recording medium by a magnetic head, these signals are reproduced from the medium by the head, and the characteristics of the magnetic head are determined using the test signal reproduced by the head. A magnetic recording and reproducing system characterized by diagnosing changes.