Patent ID: 6404598
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: G11B,H05K

Abstract:
A method of increasing the transfer rate of a magnetic tape drive comprising a fine positioner and a coarse positioner, the tape drive further comprising main control circuitry, the method comprising steps of:(a) providing a head comprising least one rail, wherein the rail has at least one head gap; (b) mounting the head in an assembly comprising the fine positioner and the coarse positioner, and (c) operatively connecting the head to the main control circuitry of the tape drive via a flexible printed circuit board, the flexible printed circuit board having: (i) a first connection portion connecting the flexible printed circuit board to the head; (ii) a second connection portion connecting the flexible printed circuit board to the main control circuitry, and (iii) a third connection portion located intermediate the first and second connection portions; (d) coupling the connection portions of the flexible printed circuit board to the assembly to form a fine positioner loop and a coarse positioner loop, wherein: (i) the fine positioner loop commences at the first connection portion coupled to the head and terminates at the third connection portion coupled to the assembly; and (ii) the course positioner loop commences at the third connection portion coupled to the assembly and terminates at the second connection portion coupled to the main control circuitry.