A New Tracking Method For Helical Scanning Optical Tape Recorder

In various scanning methods for-recording on and reproducing information from an optical tape[1]-[2], helical scanning has the merit of achieving a high scanning speed using a compact mechanism. With helical scanning, however, it is difficult to track pit streams because the tracking pattern is difficult to preformat on a thin tape, and this influences the precision of the track pitches and the S/N of the reproduced tracking error. Another disadvantage is that there is no signal when the tape is not wrapped around the drum, which causes track jumping at the starting point of scanning, so it is impossible to reproduce data track by track. We have solved these problems using a high precision drum motor, a high SNR organic dye-polymer tape, and a new tracking method. In this summary, we will outline the HS-OTR (Helical Scanning Optical Tape Recorder)'s hardware and tracking system.