Device select system for multi-device electronic system

摘要

A device select system according to one embodiment includes an array of first electrical contacts adapted for coupling to a cable; an array of second electrical contacts adapted for coupling to an array of transducers, there being more second electrical contacts than first electrical contacts each of the first electrical contacts being associated with at least two of the second electrical contacts; and a select mechanism for selectively placing each of the first electrical contacts in electrical communication with one of the second electrical contacts associated therewith.

主权项

1. A system, comprising:
a cable coupled to a controller; a magnetic head having a linear array of transducers configured to read and/or write to a magnetic recording tape, the linear array of transducers including at least first and second subsets of transducers and the transducers of the first and second subsets of transducers being arranged linearly along a common line; a semiconductor chip between the cable and the magnetic head, the semiconductor chip comprising:
an array of first electrical contacts coupled to conductors on the cable; andan array of second electrical contacts coupled to the transducers of the linear array of transducers, there being more second electrical contacts than first electrical contacts, each of the first electrical contacts being associated with two of the second electrical contacts; and a guide for guiding the magnetic recording tape across the magnetic head; the semiconductor chip further comprising a select mechanism for selectively placing each of the first electrical contacts in electrical communication with one of the two of the second electrical contacts associated therewith for selectively placing one of the first and second subsets of the transducers in the linear array of transducers in electrical communication with the first electrical contacts.