Analysis of dropout peakshift in magnetic tape recording

Dropout is the term used to describe sporadic and long-duration signal loss in a tape recording system due to media defects or debris generated by the head-media interface. The main mechanism believed to cause dropouts is spacing loss during writing and/or reading. Dropouts are a major limiting factor in the performance of the magnetic tape channel, which makes understanding them a critical issue for future density improvements. In this paper, we analyze the peakshift behavior of signals during a dropout, which constitutes a significant but unexpected side effect. This peakshift was found to be caused during the recording process. Both experimental analysis and modeling have been used in this study.