Abstract:
A plurality of read/write heads is disclosed for a magnetic media storage system, such as, for example a magnetic tape drive. Each head can include a plurality of data channels. In addition to enhancing data throughput, the plurality of read/write heads can be aligned to read or write bands of tracks on a magnetic tape with only one positioning mode (e.g., without coarse position actuation and control), and also obtain optimum yield and crosstalk values.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This Application for Patent is related by subject matter to commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,101,059; 5,850,328; 5,293,285; and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/394,876, Attorney Docket Number 2002-123-TAP, filed on Mar. 21, 2003; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/163,988, Attorney Docket Number 2002-007-TAP, filed on Jun. 5, 2002; each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to reading and writing data in high track density, flexible media storage applications, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a plurality of read/write heads for reading and writing data on magnetic tape.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     A read/write head is a device that reads and writes data from and to a magnetic tape. The surface of the tape is moved past the read/write head. The data is written using a write head. The write head contains a write coil wound around a highly permeable magnetic core consisting of write poles separated by a small gap (“write gap”). When current is passed through the coil, the movement of the current produces a magnetic field turn, magnetizes the magnetic recording media as it passes the write gap. By switching the polarity of the current in the coil, data can be stored in the media as regions of opposite magnetization polarity recorded in the magnetic recording media. The regions of recorded opposite magnetization polarity correspond to stored data bits (e.g., 1&#39;s and 0&#39;s), which are detected by a read sensor as the recorded media is passed back over the read/write head. A read/write head for high track density tape typically reads or writes multiple data channels simultaneously.  
         [0004]      FIG. 1  depicts a pictorial representation of a conventional read/write head arrangement for a magnetic tape drive. For clarity, only a pertinent section  100  of a conventional magnetic tape drive is shown. Tape drive section  100  includes a magnetic tape  102 . For example, magnetic tape  102  can be wound on a supply reel (not shown) that is rotatably mounted within a magnetic tape cartridge (not shown). Thus, magnetic tape  102  can be moved by the magnetic tape drive in a horizontal direction, as indicated by the horizontally oriented arrow in  FIG. 1 . As shown, magnetic tape  102  includes four groups or bands of tracks  104   a - 104   d.  However, in general, conventional magnetic tapes can also include more or less than four bands.  
         [0005]     A typical magnetic tape (e.g.,  102 ) consists of a Mylar substrate on which has been deposited a recording surface. The recording surface consists of a layer of magnetic material. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the recording surface can be subdivided into a plurality of bands (e.g.,  104   a - 104   d ), each band containing a plurality of data tracks.  
         [0006]     Tape drive section  100  also includes a movable read/write head assembly  106  positioned between tape guides (not shown). Read/write head assembly  106  includes a read/write head  108 , which reads and writes data from and to magnetic tape  102 . For example, a coarse and fine position actuator (not shown) moves read/write head assembly  106  in a vertical direction (as indicated by the vertically oriented arrow in  FIG. 1 ), and positions read/write head  108  over one of the bands  104   a - 104   d  for reading and writing data from and to the magnetic media in that band (e.g.,  104   a ) on a plurality of tracks. In order to read/write data from/to all of the bands  104   a - 104   d,  the read/write head position actuator must sequentially position the read/write head  108  over each band  104   a - 104   d.  Consequently, a major drawback of the conventional read/write head assemblies is that they require both coarse and fine positioning actuators and control for each read/write band on the magnetic tape.  
         [0007]     In conventional magnetic tape data recording systems, the read/write data rate or data throughput can be increased in a number of ways. For example, the conventional recording systems can increase the read/write data rate by increasing the speed of the tape moving past the read/write head, the linear density of the bits stored on the tape, or the number of parallel data channels placed in the head. However, these conventional solutions are limited significantly by the magnetic and physical characteristics of the storage media being used, technical obstacles in the fabrication of conventional tape drives and heads, and limits with respect to the ingenuity of the conventional designs.  
         [0008]     Furthermore, increasing the number of parallel data channels on a recording head places a significant demand on existing head fabrication technologies. For example, increasing the number of data channels per recording head makes the head more cumbersome because of a corresponding increase in the size and stiffness of the “flex” cable involved (cable containing conductors for carrying read bias and write currents from/to the read/write head). Also, the number of data channels per recording head is limited by the stability of the storage media used, which dictates the span and number of read/write structures that can be placed side-by-side on the head. In other words, the stability of the storage media determines just how closely spaced the magnetic (read/write) structures can be on a head and still provide acceptable yield and crosstalk values.  
         [0009]     In this regard, by requiring more space between the magnetic read/write structures on a head, the head is required to move substantially longer distances over the storage media relative to the small width or pitch of the bands, in order to reference the entire width of the media and read or write all of the data therein. As discussed above, conventional tape drives have heads that require both coarse and fine actuators for positioning control. Thus, in order to improve data throughput in magnetic media recording systems, at a minimum, these obstacles to cost-effective head design, fabrication and the ability to increase channels, tape speed and linear bit density must be overcome.  
         [0010]     Thus, it would be advantageous to provide an improved apparatus, system and method for reading and writing data with enhanced data throughput and positioning control in magnetic media storage applications, such as, for example, in magnetic tape drives.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The present invention provides a plurality of read/write heads for magnetic media storage applications, such as, for example, a magnetic tape drive. Each head can include a plurality of data channels. In addition to enhancing data throughput, the plurality of read/write heads can be aligned to read or write bands of tracks on a magnetic tape with only one positioning mode (e.g., without coarse position actuation and control), and also obtain optimum yield and crosstalk values.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  depicts a pictorial representation of a conventional read/write head arrangement for a magnetic tape drive that operates with the tape subdivided into bands of tracks;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  depicts a pictorial representation of a read/write head assembly for magnetic storage media applications that may be used to implement a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIGS. 3A-3E  are related diagrams illustrating various read/write head assemblies for magnetic storage media applications that may be used to implement one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIGS. 4A-4C  are related diagrams illustrating various read/write head and data channel arrangements for magnetic storage media applications that may be used to implement one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIGS. 5A-5B  are related diagrams illustrating various read/write head and data channel arrangements for magnetic storage media applications that may be used to implement a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a tape recording system illustrating an example read/write head assembly that may be used to implement a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0019]     With reference now to the figures,  FIG. 2  depicts a pictorial representation of a read/write head assembly for magnetic storage media applications that may be used to implement a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , a pictorial representation of a section  200  of a magnetic tape drive is shown. For clarity, only a pertinent section ( 200 ) of the magnetic tape drive is shown. In this regard,  FIG. 2  is intended only as an example, and not as an architectural limitation for the present invention.  
         [0020]     Magnetic tape drive section  200  includes a movable read/write head assembly  202  preferably positioned between tape guides (not shown). For this exemplary embodiment, read/write head assembly  202  includes a plurality of read/write heads  204   a - 204   n,  each of which head can read and write data from and to a magnetic tape  208 . As such, the sub-script “n” can equal 1, 2, 3, . . . etc. and represent the total number of read/write heads included in read/write head assembly  202 . For example, if the total number of read/write heads  204   a - 204   n  in read/write assembly  202  is 32 (i.e., “n”=32), then read/write head  204   a  can represent a “1st” read/write head, read/write head  204   f  can represent a “6th” read/write head, read/write head  204 ( n - 4 ) can represent a “28th” read/write head, and so on in read/write head assembly  202 .  
         [0021]     Notably, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of position actuators (e.g., for illustrative purposes only, denoted generally as position actuator  210 ) can position the plurality of read/write heads  204   a - 204   n  of read/write head assembly  202  in a vertical direction (as indicated by the vertically oriented arrow in  FIG. 2 ) so as to align each read/write head  204   a - 204   n  with a corresponding band of a plurality of bands  208   a - 208   n  included on magnetic tape  208 , and thereby read and write data from and to the magnetic media in the respective band. If, as illustrated by this exemplary embodiment, the number of read/write heads  204   a - 204   n  arranged on read/write head assembly  202  equals the number of read/write bands of tracks  208   a - 208   n  arranged on magnetic tape  208 , then the positioning of each read/write head  204   a - 204   n  of read/write head assembly  202  over each corresponding band  208   a - 208   n  included on magnetic tape  208  can be performed successfully with only a fine position actuator (e.g., plurality of actuators  210 ) for each read/write head  204   a - 204   n.  In other words, in accordance with the present invention, providing a read/write head for each read/write band on a magnetic tape obviates the conventional need for two positioning modes (both coarse and fine positioning), and also for coarse position actuators.  
         [0022]     Also in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a single position actuator (e.g.,  210 ) can be used to position read/write head assembly  202  in a vertical direction (instead of a position actuator for each read/write head  204   a - 204   n ), which in turn, can align each read/write head  204   a - 204   n  with a corresponding band of a plurality of bands  208   a - 208   n  included on magnetic tape  208  in order to read and write data from and to the magnetic media in the respective band.  
         [0023]     Also, for this exemplary embodiment, each read/write head  204   a - 204   n  can be configured to include at least one read/write element  212   a  and one write/read element  212   b,  as shown in the exploded view  206 . A primary reason for configuring each read/write head  204   a - 204   n  with a read/write element  212   a  side-by-side with a write/read element  212   b  as shown, is to maintain a sequence of writing and then reading if the tape  208  is moved in either direction.  
         [0024]     Data channels are used for transferring data between a read/write head assembly (e.g.,  202 ) and a magnetic tape drive (e.g.,  200 ). As described earlier, increasing the number of data channels per read/write head assembly increases the data transfer rate. For this exemplary embodiment, if “M” represents the number of data channels to be used, and “N” represents the number of read/write heads to be provided per head assembly, then “M/N” represents the number of data channels provided per read/write head. For example, if 32 data channels (“M”) are to be used for transferring data between read/write head assembly  202  and magnetic tape drive  200 , and 4 read/write heads  204   a - 204   n  (“N”) are to be provided, then the number of data channels provided per read/write head (“M/N”) is 8. Also, for this embodiment, “N” can represent the number of read/write bands of tracks  208   a - 208   n  on the magnetic tape.  
         [0025]     Referring now to exploded view  206  in  FIG. 2 , for this exemplary embodiment, each read/write head  204   a - 204   n  can include at least one pair of read/write and write/read elements (e.g.,  212   a,    212   b ). For illustrative purposes only, the pair of read/write and write/read elements  212   a,    212   b  may be associated with at least one data channel (e.g.,  214 ). However, as demonstrated by the above-described relationship, “M/N”, the number of paired read/write and write/read elements e.g.,  212   a,    212   b ) and data channels (e.g.,  214 ) provided for each read/write head  204   a - 204   n  can be greater than  2 . In this regard, the exploded view  206  in  FIG. 2  is intended as an illustrative example, and not as an architectural limitation for the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIGS. 3A-3E  are related diagrams illustrating various read/write head assemblies for magnetic storage media applications that may be used to implement one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention. Referring to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 3A , a pictorial representation of section  300   a  of a magnetic tape drive is shown. For this example, section  300   a  includes read/write head assembly  302   a  and magnetic tape  304 . Magnetic tape  304  includes four bands of tracks  304   a - 304   d.  Similar to the arrangement shown in  FIG. 2 , each read/write head of read/write head assembly  302   a  can be positioned in a vertical direction, and magnetic tape  304  can be moved in a horizontal direction and in close proximity to read/write head assembly  302   a.    
         [0027]     Exemplary read/write head assembly  302   a  includes two read/write heads  306  and  308 . Although read/write head assembly  302   a  is shown in  FIG. 3A  with each read/write head  306 ,  308  arranged in a separate assembly structure, the structure and arrangement shown are for illustrative purposes only and not intended as an architectural limitation for the present invention. In other words, read/write head assembly  302   a  can be arranged as an integral structure or separate sub-structures. In any event, referring to the channels per head relationship, M/N, described above with respect to  FIG. 2 , in order to provide  32  data channels (“M”=32) for transferring data between read/write head assembly  302   a  and magnetic tape drive  300   a,  each read/write head  306 ,  308  (“N”=2) is associated with (and electronically coupled to) 16 data channels.  
         [0028]     Referring now to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 3B , a pictorial representation of a section  300   b  of a magnetic tape drive is shown. For this example, section  300   b  includes a read/write head assembly  302   b  and magnetic tape  304 . Similar to the arrangement shown in  FIG. 3A , magnetic tape  304  includes four bands of tracks  304   a - 304   d.  Also, each read/write head of read/write head assembly  302   b  can be positioned in a vertical direction, and magnetic tape  304  can be moved in a horizontal direction and in close proximity to read/write head assembly  302   b.    
         [0029]     For this example, read/write head assembly  302   b  includes four read/write heads  306 - 309 . Again, although read/write head assembly  302   b  is shown in  FIG. 3B  with each read/write head  306 - 309  arranged in a separate assembly structure, the structure and arrangement shown are for illustrative purposes only and not intended as an architectural limitation for the present invention. In any event, referring to the channels per head relationship, M/N, described above with respect to  FIG. 2 , in order to provide  32  data channels (“M”=32) for transferring data between read/write head assembly  302   b  and magnetic tape drive  300   b,  each read/write head  306 - 309  (“N”=4) is associated with (and electronically coupled to) 8 data channels.  
         [0030]     Referring now to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 3C , a pictorial representation of section  300   c  of a magnetic tape drive is shown. For this example, section  300   c  includes a read/write head assembly  302 c and magnetic tape  304 . Similar to the arrangement shown in  FIG. 3A , magnetic tape  304  also includes four bands of tracks. Also, each read/write head of read/write head assembly  302   c  can be positioned in a vertical direction, and magnetic tape  304  can be moved in a horizontal direction and in close proximity to read/write head assembly  302   c.    
         [0031]     For this example, read/write head assembly  302   c  includes eight read/write heads  306 - 313 . Again, the structure and arrangement shown for read/write head assembly  302   c  are for illustrative purposes only and not intended as an architectural limitation for the present invention. Referring to the above-described channels per head relationship, M/N, in order to provide 32 data channels (“M”=32) for transferring data between read/write head assembly  302   c  and magnetic tape drive  300   c,  each read/write head  306 - 313  (“N”=8) is associated with (and electronically coupled to) 4 data channels.  
         [0032]     Referring now to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 3D , a pictorial representation of section  300   d  of a magnetic tape drive is shown. For this example, section  300   d  includes a read/write head assembly  302   d  and magnetic tape  304 . However, in this embodiment, magnetic tape  304  includes eight bands of tracks  304   a - 304   h.  As such, each read/write head of read/write head assembly  302   d  can be positioned in a vertical direction, and magnetic tape  304  can be moved in a horizontal direction and in close proximity to read/write head assembly  302   d.    
         [0033]     For this example, read/write head assembly  302   d  includes eight read/write heads  316 - 323 . Again, the structure and arrangement shown for read/write head assembly  302   d  are for illustrative purposes only and not intended as an architectural limitation for the present invention. Referring to the above-described channels per head relationship, M/N, in order to provide 32 data channels (“M”=32) for transferring data between read/write head assembly  302   d  and magnetic tape drive  300   d,  each read/write head  316 - 323  (“N”=8) is associated with (and electronically coupled to) 4 data channels.  
         [0034]     Referring now to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 3E , a pictorial representation of section  300   e  of a magnetic tape drive is shown. For this example, section  300   e  includes a read/write head assembly  302   e  and magnetic tape  304 . Similar to the exemplary structures shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C , magnetic tape  304  includes four bands (e.g.,  304   a - 304   d ). Also, each read/write head of read/write head assembly  302   e  can be positioned vertically, and magnetic tape  304  can be moved horizontally and in close proximity to assembly  302   e.    
         [0035]     However, for this exemplary embodiment, read/write head assembly  302   e  can include any number of read/write heads  306   a - 306   n.  As such, referring to the channels per head relationship, M/N, in order to provide 32 data channels (“M”=32) for transferring data between read/write head assembly  302   e  and magnetic tape drive  300   e,  each read/write head  306   a - 306   n  (where “N” in this case equals the generalized value of “n”) is associated with and electronically coupled to 32/n data channels. Thus, for this exemplary embodiment, if the value of “n” is 32 (e.g., number of read/write heads), then one data channel can be provided for each read/write head  306   a - 306   n.    
         [0036]      FIGS. 4A-4C  are related diagrams illustrating various read/write head and data channel arrangements for magnetic storage media applications that may be used to implement one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention. Referring to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 4A , a pictorial representation of a section  400   a  of a magnetic tape drive is shown. For this example, section  400   a  includes a read/write head assembly  402   a  and a magnetic tape  404 . Magnetic tape  404  includes four bands of tracks. Similar to the arrangement shown in  FIG. 2 , each read/write head of read/write head assembly  402   a  can be positioned in a vertical direction, and magnetic tape  404  can be moved in a horizontal direction and in close proximity to read/write head assembly  402   a.    
         [0037]     Exemplary read/write head assembly  402   a  includes four read/write heads  406   a,    408   a,    409   a  and  410   a.  Although read/write head assembly  402   a  is shown in  FIG. 4A  with four read/write heads  406   a,    408   a,    409   a,    410   a  arranged in a particular assembly structure, the structure and arrangement shown are for illustrative purposes only and not intended as an architectural limitation for the present invention.  
         [0038]     Referring once again to the channels per head relationship, M/N, described above with respect to  FIG. 2 , in order to provide 32 data channels (“M”=32) to transfer data between read/write head assembly  402   a  and magnetic tape drive  400   a,  each of the four read/write heads  406   a,    408   a,    409   a,    410   a  (“N”=4) can be associated with (and electronically coupled to) 8 data channels. As such, in accordance with the present invention, the channels per head relationship, M/N, of 8 channels per head, can be realized with the exemplary configuration of read/write head  408   a  of sub-assembly  405   a  shown in  FIG. 4A .  
         [0039]     As illustrated by the exploded view of read/write head  408   a  as an example, each read/write head  406   a,    408   a,    409   a,    410   a  can include eight pairs of read/write and write/read elements (e.g.,  412   a - 412   h ). Also, each pair of the eight read/write and write/read elements  412   a - 412   h  may be associated with (and coupled to) one data channel. Therefore, for this example, the four read/write heads  406   a,    408   a,    409   a,    410   a  can be configured to provide 32 data channels for transferring data between read/write head assembly  402   a  and magnetic tape drive  400   a.    
         [0040]     Referring now to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 4B , a pictorial representation of a section  400   b  of a magnetic tape drive is shown. For this example, section  400   b  includes a read/write head assembly  402   b  and a magnetic tape  404 . Magnetic tape  404  includes four bands of tracks.  
         [0041]     Exemplary read/write head assembly  402   b  includes four read/write heads  406   b,    408   b,    409   b  and  410   b.  Again, the structure and arrangement shown are for illustrative purposes only and not intended as an architectural limitation for the present invention.  
         [0042]     Referring again to the above-described channels per head relationship, M/N, in order to provide 32 data channels (“M”=32) to transfer data between read/write head assembly  402   b  and magnetic tape drive  400   b,  each of the four read/write heads  406   b,    408   b,    409   b,    410   b  (“N”=4) can be associated with (and electronically coupled to) 8 data channels. As such, in accordance with the present invention, the channels per head relationship, M/N, of 8 channels per head, can be realized with the exemplary configuration of read/write head  408   b  of sub-assembly  405   b  shown in  FIG. 4B .  
         [0043]     As illustrated by the exploded view of read/write head  408   b  as an example, each read/write head  406   b,    408   b,    409   b,    410   b  can include eight read/write/read elements (e.g.,  414   a - 414   h ). The read/write/read configuration shown may use separate read and write elements in order to verify that the data was written correctly to the data storage media. After the data is written, the data is then read for verification. This configuration is referred to as “read-after-write”. In any event, each of the eight read/write/read elements  414   a - 414   h  may be associated with (and coupled to) one data channel. Therefore, for this example, the four read/write heads  406   b,    408   b,    409   b,    410   b  can be configured to provide 32 data channels for transferring data between read/write head assembly  402   b  and magnetic tape drive  400   b.    
         [0044]     Referring to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 4C , a pictorial representation of a variation of the “read-after-write” head arrangement of  FIG. 4B  is shown. For this example, section  400   c  includes a read/write head assembly  402   c  and a magnetic tape  404 . Magnetic tape  404  includes four bands of tracks.  
         [0045]     Exemplary read/write head assembly  402   c  includes four read/write heads  406   c,    408   c,    409   c  and  410   c.  Again, the structure and arrangement shown are for illustrative purposes only and not intended as an architectural limitation for the present invention.  
         [0046]     Referring again to the above-described channels per head relationship, M/N, in order to provide 32 data channels (“M”=32) to transfer data between read/write head assembly  402   c  and magnetic tape drive  400   c,  each of the four read/write heads  406   c,    408   c,    409   c,    410   c  (“N”=4) can be associated with (and electronically coupled to) 8 data channels. As such, in accordance with the present invention, the channels per head relationship, M/N, of 8 channels per head, can be realized with the exemplary configuration of read/write head  408   c  of sub-assembly  405   c  shown in  FIG. 4C .  
         [0047]     As illustrated by the exploded view of read/write head  408   c  as an example, each read/write head  406   c,    408   c,    409   c,    410   c  can include eight write/read/write elements (e.g.,  416   a - 416   h ) in a read-after-write arrangement. Each of the eight write/read/write elements  416   a - 416   h  may be associated with (and coupled to) one data channel. Therefore, for this example, the four read/write heads  406   c,    408   c,    409   c,    410   c  can be configured to provide 32 data channels for transferring data between read/write head assembly  402   c  and magnetic tape drive  400   c.    
         [0048]      FIGS. 5A-5B  are related diagrams illustrating various read/write head and data channel arrangements for magnetic storage media applications that may be used to implement a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 5A , a pictorial representation of a section  500   a  of a magnetic tape drive is shown. For this example, section  500   a  includes a read/write head assembly  502   a  and a magnetic tape  504 . In this example, the magnetic tape  504  includes six bands of tracks. Again, similar to the arrangement shown in  FIG. 2 , each read/write head of read/write head assembly  502   a  can be positioned in a vertical direction, and magnetic tape  504  can be moved in a horizontal direction and in close proximity to read/write head assembly  502   a.    
         [0049]     Exemplary read/write head assembly  502   a  includes six read/write heads  506   a - 511   a.  Referring to the channels per head relationship, M/N, for this example, in order to provide  72  data channels (“M”=72) to transfer data between read/write head assembly  502   a  and magnetic tape drive  500   a,  each of the six read/write heads  506   a - 511   a  (e.g., “N”=6) can be associated with (and electronically coupled to) 12 data channels. As such, in accordance with the present invention, the channels per head relationship, M/N, of 12 channels per head, can be realized with anyone of the exemplary configurations of read/write heads  508   a   1 - 508   a   4  shown in  FIG. 5B .  
         [0050]     For example, as illustrated by read/write head  508   a,  in  FIG. 5B , each read/write head  506   a - 511   a  can include  12  read and write or write and read elements (e.g.,  512   a - 512   f ). Also, each of the  12  read and write or write and read elements  512   a - 512   f  may be associated with (and coupled to) one data channel. Therefore, for this example, the six read/write heads  506   a - 511   a  can be configured to provide 72 data channels for transferring data between read/write head assembly  502   a  and magnetic tape drive  500   a.    
         [0051]     Similarly, as illustrated by exemplary read/write head  508   a   2  in  FIG. 5B , each read/write head  506   a - 511   a  can include 12 read and write or write and read elements (e.g.,  514   a - 514   f ). Also, for this example, each of the 12 read and write or write and read elements  514   a - 514   f  may be associated with (and coupled to) one data channel. Therefore, for this example, the six read/write heads  506   a - 511   a  can be configured to provide 72 data channels for transferring data between read/write head assembly  502   a  and magnetic tape drive  500   a.    
         [0052]     Additionally, other read/write head configurations may be used to implement the present invention. For example, each of read/write heads  506   a - 511   a  in  FIG. 5A  can include at least one of the read/write head arrangements  508   a   3  or  508   a   4  in  FIG. 5B . For example, each read/write head  506   a - 511   a  can include 3 sets of read-after-write elements, such as write/read/write sets  516   a - 516   c  of read/write head  508   a   3 , or read/write/read sets  518   a - 518   c  of read/write head  508   a   4 . For these examples, each of the 3 sets of write/read/write elements  516   a - 516   c  or read/write/read elements  518   a - 518   c  may be associated with (and coupled to) three data channels. Therefore, for these examples, the six read/write heads  506   a - 511   a  can be configured to provide  54  data channels for transferring data between read/write head assembly  502   a  and magnetic tape drive  500   a.    
         [0053]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a tape recording system illustrating an example read/write head assembly that may be used to implement a preferred embodiment of the present invention. For this example, read/write head assembly  600  is arranged in close proximity to a storage media surface of magnetic tape  604 , so that the read/write head assembly  600  can transfer data between magnetic tape  604  and a magnetic tape drive (not shown). As such, exemplary read/write head assembly  600  includes read/write head  602 . As illustrated by this example, read/write head  602  can include a write element  606  and a read element  608 . Write element  606  can be associated with (and electronically connected to) a first data channel for transferring data from the magnetic tape drive to magnetic tape  604 . Read element  608  can be associated with (and electronically connected to) a second data channel for transferring data from magnetic tape  604  to the magnetic tape drive.  
         [0054]     Notably, the exemplary structure, number and arrangement of write and read elements  606 ,  608  and data channels are shown in  FIG. 6  and described herein for illustrative purposes only and not intended as an architectural limitation for the present invention. For example, read/write head  602  can include any one of the above-described read/write head and channel arrangements shown in  FIGS. 2-5B . Also, for example, each write element and read element  606 ,  608  in  FIG. 6  can be associated with a respective data channel (one data channel for writing, and one data channel for reading). Alternatively, the paired combination of a write element  606  and read element  608  can be associated with one data channel (one data channel for writing/reading).  
         [0055]     For clarity, read/write head assembly  600  and magnetic tape  604  are oriented differently in  FIG. 6  than in  FIGS. 2-5B . For example, a side view of magnetic tape  604  is shown in  FIG. 6 , while top surface views of the magnetic tapes in  FIGS. 2-5B  are shown. Thus, in  FIG. 6 , magnetic tape  604  can be depicted as movable in a horizontal direction with respect to read/write head assembly  600 . Similarly, a side view of read/write head assembly  600  is shown in  FIG. 6 . However, in this case, read/write head assembly  600  can be depicted as movable in a direction perpendicular to that of magnetic tape  604  (i.e., into and out of  FIG. 6 ).  
         [0056]     For this exemplary embodiment, write element  606  creates a magnetic field to write or store data on the magnetic media of tape  604 . Data to be written onto magnetic tape  604  is coupled from the magnetic tape drive to an input  610  of a data channel. The input write data is coupled to an encoding unit  612 , which functions primarily to format the input data according to a prescribed protocol for the magnetic storage media involved, perform Error Correction Coding (ECC) to verify the accuracy and validity of the input data received, and encode the valid write data into a prescribed digital sequence. The valid, coded write data can be coupled to a write equalizer unit  614 , which functions primarily to reduce distortion and compensate for attenuation of the coded data signal. The equalized data is then coupled to a write driver unit  616 , which provides electrical current to “drive” or activate the write head element  606 , which, in turn, writes the data onto the storage media of magnetic tape  604 .  
         [0057]     Additionally, for this exemplary embodiment, read head element  608  senses or reads data stored in magnetic form on the magnetic media of tape  604 . The data signal is read from magnetic tape  604  in the form of a modulated signal and coupled to a preamplifier and Automatic Gain Control (AGC) unit  618  of a data channel. The current signal generated in read head element  608  by the sensed magnetic data is miniscule, so a primary function of preamplifier and AGC unit  618  is to amplify the sensed data signal, and control the gain level to compensate for variations in the magnitude of the amplified signal. The amplified read data is coupled to a read equalizer unit  620 , which functions primarily to reduce distortion of the read data signal and compensate for signal attenuation. The equalized read data signal is then coupled to a detector unit  622 , which functions primarily to detect or recover the read data of interest from the signal modulation envelope, carrier or sequence. The detected read data is then coupled to a decoding unit  624 , which functions primarily to decode the read data from the prescribed sequence, perform ECC to verify the accuracy and validity of the decoded read data, and remove the formatting information from the data. The resulting data is coupled to an output  626  of the data channel involved, and to the magnetic tape drive.  
         [0058]     Exemplary read/write head assembly  600  also includes track following servo unit  628 , which functions primarily to analyze the magnitude and phase of the read data signal from read head element  608 . The magnitude and phase of the read data signal can be used to determine the vertical alignment of the read head element  608  (and write head element  606 ) with respect to a particular track or band on the magnetic storage media of tape  604 . Track following servo unit  628  can use the magnitude and phase of the read data signal in a feedback loop of a servo unit in order to position and align read/write head  602  with respect to the track or band on magnetic tape  604 . A tape guiding and speed control unit  630  can control the movement of the magnetic tape  604 . Notably, in accordance with the present invention, read/write head assembly  600  can be arranged to provide the above-described data channel per head/track relationship, M/N, which requires only one (fine) read/write head actuation or positioning mode.  
         [0059]     The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.