Hybrid tape head assembly and drive for accepting the same

摘要

A head assembly according to one embodiment includes at least one module having magnetic transducers for reading and/or writing to a magnetic tape; electronics electrically coupled to the transducers, the electronics comprising at least one of amplifiers; bias circuitry; write drivers; write resistors; a memory device; and a chip with at least one of identification information about the head assembly, customization data, and firmware; and a connector for detachably interfacing to a drive having a head region for receiving the head assembly. A method according to one embodiment includes inserting a head assembly in a head region of a magnetic tape drive, the head assembly having one or more modules containing a plurality magnetic transducers and one of amplifiers, write drives, or bias circuitry; wherein upon receiving the head assembly the drive is at least one of a functional drive, an updated drive, and a legacy drive.

主权项

1. A head assembly, comprising:
at least one module having magnetic transducers for reading and/or writing to a magnetic tape; electronics electrically coupled to the transducers, the electronics comprising a component selected from a group consisting of: amplifiers; bias circuitry; write drivers; write resistors; a memory device; and a chip with at least one of identification information about the head assembly, customization data, and firmware; a connector for detachably interfacing to a drive having a head region for detachably receiving the head assembly; and one or more datums for establishing a location of tape bearing surfaces and the transducers relative to the drive, wherein the datums accommodate up to and including at least 6 degrees of freedom associated with positioning the tape bearing surfaces and the transducers of the head assembly.