System and method for deconvolution of multiple data tracks

Abstract

A method for reading a magnetic medium having a data band thereon, the data band comprising a plurality of simultaneously written tracks. The method includes receiving signals from a plurality of adjacent readers simultaneously reading data tracks, wherein at least some of the readers that are currently reading overlie adjacent data tracks such that the reader generates signals from the adjacent data tracks; receiving a signal from at least one reader reading an alignment band; for at least each reader overlying adjacent data tracks, determining a fractional overlap of the reader relative to the underlying adjacent data tracks based on the signal from the reader reading the alignment band; and extracting data from readback of the data tracks based at least in part on the determined fractional overlaps of the readers relative to the adjacent data tracks thereunder.

1 . A method for reading a magnetic medium having a data band thereon, the data band comprising a plurality of simultaneously written tracks, the method comprising:
 receiving signals from a plurality of adjacent readers simultaneously reading data tracks, wherein at least some of the readers that are currently reading overlie adjacent data tracks such that the reader generates signals from the adjacent data tracks;   receiving a signal from at least one reader reading an alignment band;   for at least each reader overlying adjacent data tracks, determining a fractional overlap of the reader relative to the underlying adjacent data tracks based on the signal from the reader reading the alignment band; and   extracting data from readback of the data tracks based at least in part on the determined fractional overlaps of the readers relative to the adjacent data tracks thereunder.   
   
   
       2 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the number of readers is at least equal to the number of written tracks in the data band. 
   
   
       3 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein two alignment bands sandwich the data tracks, each alignment band including a blank track. 
   
   
       4 . A method as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the blank tracks are at least one of direct current (DC) erased tracks and alternating current (AC) erased tracks. 
   
   
       5 . A method as recited in  claim 3 , wherein one of the alignment bands includes first and second blank tracks sandwiching a track with a predefined signal; wherein the other alignment band is a third blank track. 
   
   
       6 . A method as recited in  claim 3 , wherein each alignment band includes first and second blank tracks sandwiching a track with a predefined signal. 
   
   
       7 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a spacing between centerpoints of some of the readers is about equal to centerlines of the data tracks. 
   
   
       8 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the data is extracted from the reader signals using an inversion matrix. 
   
   
       9 . A method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the inversion matrix is predefined except for the fractional overlap. 
   
   
       10 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the fractional overlap is determined from signals of at least two readers reading the alignment band. 
   
   
       11 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the alignment band is present in a track with a known signal, wherein the known signal is a monotone pattern. 
   
   
       12 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the alignment band is further used to fine tune alignment of the readers with respect to the written tracks. 
   
   
       13 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one alignment band also provides timing information for clock recovery. 
   
   
       14 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the method is calibrated by performing a microtrack profile calibration which includes shifting the readers perpendicularly with respect to the direction of media travel across the data tracks. 
   
   
       15 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a drive mechanism for passing a magnetic recording tape over the readers.