A new approach to tape recording

New technologies have been developed to realise fully static multitrack scanners for high density magnetic recording: the recording head is an inductive multiplexed type, and the readout is magneto-optic, using a linear CCD for multitrack detection, and a dedicated transducer in contact with the tape. The signal processing associated with these components is digital and time-multiplexed because of the large number of channels. The particular features of this new technology allow one to overcome the limitations and to offer at least the densities and data rates of helicoidal recorders, with the mechanical simplicity and robustness of longitudinal drives.<>