Error correction capability for longitudinal position data in a tape storage system

摘要

A longitudinal position (LPOS) word L(n) is encoded with error correction capability. The LPOS word includes a plurality of LPOS symbols L0(n) through Lk(n) calculated as L ⁡ ( n ) = ∑ i = 0 5 ⁢ L i ⁡ ( n ) ⁢ 14 i and representing a longitudinal position of a magnetic tape relative to a tape head in a tape storage system. A word type is determined in response to at least one of the plurality of LPOS symbols and, in response to the determined word type, at least one formatted symbol F(n) is generated from the plurality of LPOS symbols L(n). At least one parity symbol P(n) is generated from the formatted symbol F(n). The formatted and parity symbols are communicated to a servo channel of the tape storage system to be recorded onto a servo track of the magnetic tape. Adding redundancy to LPOS words provides the capability of correcting multiple bit errors without increasing the LPOS word length.