JP2009037665A - REPRODUCTION DEVICE, REPRODUCTION METHOD, RECORDING / REPRODUCTION DEVICE, TRACK FORMAT, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - Google Patents

Abstract

A reproduction apparatus capable of stably performing gain control on a reproduction signal for each reproduction head and performing data reproduction satisfactorily.
A preamble including a gain control pattern is provided in guard bands arranged on both sides of a unit, and at the time of reproduction, a reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233 is reproduced from a guard band and a track simultaneously by one reproduction head. Based on the reproduction signal of each gain control pattern, gain information is obtained for the reproduction signal for each reproduction head, and the level of the reproduction signal is controlled. As a result, even when a track offset occurs, gain control for the reproduction signal for each reproduction head can be performed satisfactorily, and the quality of the reproduction signal obtained by the separation calculation process can be improved.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a reproducing apparatus, a reproducing method, a recording / reproducing apparatus, a track format, and a recording medium for reproducing data from a plurality of tracks provided on the recording medium.

  In recent years, magnetic heads are required to have higher density recording in order to increase the capacity of magnetic recording media, and are suitable for narrowing the track width of tracks (hereinafter referred to as “narrowing”). Magnetic heads have been adopted. In general, improving the accuracy of the track servo is the key to narrowing the track.

  In a magnetic tape recording / reproducing apparatus, a so-called non-tracking system has been proposed as a countermeasure for making servo difficult as the width becomes narrower, and has been put into practical use (for example, Patent Documents 1-5). In this non-tracking method, the track that was recorded in double azimuth by helical scan is recorded in blocks for identification, so that the target track cannot be reproduced in a single trace. Can reconstruct data. With this non-tracking method, a margin of four times or more is allowed for tracking control within one track required by the conventional track servo.

  Further, the possibility of using non-tracking technology not only in helical scanning but also in linear recording has been studied (for example, Patent Documents 6 and 7).

  By the way, when a non-magnetic support having elasticity such as a polyester film is used for the magnetic recording medium substrate, even if double azimuth recording is performed, the allowable deformation amount is obtained by using a track servo. For example, when it is up to about twice the track width and further deformation occurs, the signal cannot be reproduced with a sufficient SN ratio. Also, in the case of recording without double azimuth, the width of the so-called guard band that does not cross the track is less than the amount of deformation of the tape so as not to deteriorate the reliability such as error rate even when the track servo is used. It was necessary to hold in

  Such a problem is caused by the fact that in the signal reproduction method that has been realized so far, the signal quality is significantly deteriorated when at least one reproduction head reads signals from a plurality of tracks simultaneously. In order to avoid this, it has been devised to perform guard band and double azimuth recording and to pick up only the signal from one track from the reproducing head.

However, when the track density is further increased, the installation of the guard band first hinders the installation. Also, the effect of double azimuth recording, which can reduce interference from adjacent tracks during reproduction, is reduced when the width is narrowed.

  This is the same even in the non-tracking method, and the reproducing head seems to reproduce the signal across a plurality of tracks. However, when time division is performed, the signal being reproduced always corresponds to one track. It wasn't going to play multiple tracks at the same time.

  Also, when trying to cope with higher track density with the non-tracking method, noise is mixed in by picking up signals from the adjacent track of the target track, so the limit to narrowing the track is the limit. It is coming.

  In addition to the background technology of the magnetic head device, a technique for recording a plurality of data frames at a time as a method of arranging a plurality of heads in one block and forming the same azimuth block in order to improve recording density. (For example, Patent Document 8 and Patent Document 9).

  Since these known techniques require that the reproducing head width be about half the width of the track, there is a restriction that the output of the reproducing signal cannot be made large, which is disadvantageous, for example, in securing the SN ratio. It was not necessarily suitable for higher density recording.

  A MIMO (Multi-Input / Multi-Output) technique is widely known as one used for wireless communication (for example, Patent Document 10).

  In addition, a technique using a technique related to MIMO for magnetic recording is also known (for example, Non-Patent Document 1). However, for example, when a reproducing head having a width wider than that of a recorded track is used, problems that occur in practical use have not been solved.

In the present invention, as a magnetic recording method using MIMO, it is impossible to foresee from the prior art to realize the practical application of the MIMO technology to the magnetic recording / reproducing method, which could not be realized by the paper introduced in the previous section. The technical contents will be clarified.
Japanese Patent No. 1842057 Japanese Patent No. 1842058 Japanese Patent No. 1842059 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 04-370580 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 05-020788 JP-A-10-283620 JP 2003-132504 A JP 2003-338812 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-071014 Japanese Patent No. 3664993 Paper IEEE Trans.Mag.Vol.30.No.6 Nov.1994 5100 pages

  As described above, in the conventional magnetic recording / reproducing system, a method of narrowing the track width on the magnetic recording medium has been adopted to increase the recording density. However, if the track width is narrowed in pursuit of a high recording density as it is, there arises a problem that the track cannot be tracked during reproduction. Therefore, a non-tracking method has been proposed in which a signal can be read from the track even if the position of the reproducing head is slightly deviated from the track. However, in order to obtain a reproduction signal appropriately by the non-tracking method, severe restrictions are imposed on the setting of the reproduction head. From this aspect, there is a limit to increasing the recording density by narrowing the track width.

  Accordingly, the present inventors record a plurality of tracks, which are a unit of signal processing for data detection, on a magnetic recording medium by a recording head, and reproduce a signal across the plurality of tracks of the magnetic recording medium. With a playback head that can handle multiple tracks, the signals for multiple tracks are played back in multiple different positions with respect to multiple tracks. A method of generating was proposed. According to this, the restriction for determining the width of the reproducing head is reduced, and the track width can be narrowed and the recording density can be increased.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a configuration of a recording apparatus 800 that employs the above-described magnetic recording / reproducing method.

  As shown in the figure, the recording apparatus 800 includes a multitrack unit 110, a multitrack recording encoding unit 120, a multitrack preamble adding unit 130, a multitrack recording unit 140, and a recording head array 150.

  The multitrack unit 110 distributes the recording data 1 to the number of recording heads W-1, W-2, and W-3 (M = 3) provided in the recording head array 150 for multitracking. The data distributor 111 is used.

  The multitrack recording encoding unit 120 includes M recording encoding units 121-1, 121-2, and 121-3 that encode the recording data allocated to M by the data distributor 111.

  The multitrack preamble adding unit 130 adds M specific preambles 131-1, 131-2, 131- to each recording data encoded by the multitrack recording encoding unit 120 for each track. It is composed of three.

  The multi-track recording unit 140 is a means for recording the recording code string of each track to which the preamble is added on a recording medium. More specifically, the multi-track recording unit 140 provides M timings that give a desired timing to the recording code string to which the preamble is added. Output timing setting units 141-1, 141-2, 141-3, M recording compensation units 144-1, 144-2, 144-3 that perform recording compensation processing, and recording code strings after recording compensation processing Originally, it is composed of M recording amplifiers 147-1, 147-2, and 147-3 for driving the individual recording heads W-1, W-2, and W-3.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the unit recording operation by the recording apparatus 800. In this recording apparatus 100, first, the input recording data 1 is configured by the multitracking unit 110 as data (M = 3) of recording heads W-1, W-2, W-3, that is, a unit. The data is distributed to the data corresponding to the number of tracks to be processed (step S801).

  Each distributed data is encoded into a code string in consideration of recording / reproducing characteristics of the magnetic recording medium 2 by the recording encoding units 121-1, 121-2, and 121-3 of the multi-track recording encoding unit 120, respectively. Is done. At this time, information necessary for data demodulation, such as a demodulating synchronization pattern, is also added to the data code string (step S802).

  Next, control of reproducing unit-unit data by the preamble adding units 131-1, 131-2, and 131-3 of the multi-track preamble adding unit 130 at a predetermined position of each encoded recording data. Therefore, a necessary pattern is added as a preamble, and a recording code string is obtained (step S803).

  Here, the predetermined position of each encoded recording data is a position determined in consideration that recording code strings are continuously recorded and reproduced. The preamble includes, for example, a gain control pattern used for learning for gain control with respect to a reproduction signal, a synchronization pattern used for bit synchronization processing, and a plurality of reproduction heads and a plurality of tracks for one unit. There are separation patterns necessary to calculate a channel matrix corresponding to the positional relationship in the track width direction. Here, the plurality of tracks for one unit are a plurality of tracks constituting one unit of signal processing for reproducing data. The synchronization pattern is also used as information for specifying the separation pattern for each track and the start position of data. These patterns are created in consideration of the rules of the code strings generated by the recording encoding units 121-1, 121-2, and 121-3 of the multitrack recording encoding unit 120.

  The recording code string for each track is given a desired timing by the output timing setting units 141-1, 141-2, and 141-3 of the multitrack recording unit 140, and then the recording compensation units 144-1 and 144. At -2, 144-3, a recording compensation process for optimizing the recording on the magnetic recording medium 2 is performed.

  Thereafter, the recording code string for each track is converted from a voltage to a current by the recording amplifiers 147-1, 147-2, and 147-3 and sent to the recording heads W-1, W-2, and W-3 for recording. Recording is performed on the magnetic recording medium 2 by the heads W-1, W-2, and W-3 (step S804).

  The above unit-unit recording operation on the magnetic recording medium 2 is repeated so that a plurality of units are continuously arranged in the traveling direction of the track.

  Next, a reproducing apparatus employing the above magnetic recording / reproducing system will be described.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the configuration of a reproducing apparatus 900 that employs the above-described magnetic recording / reproducing method.

  As shown in the figure, the reproducing apparatus 900 includes a reproducing head array 210, a channel reproducing unit 220, a signal separating unit 230, a multitrack demodulating unit 240, and a restoring unit 260.

  The reproducing head array 210 has N (N = 3) reproducing heads R-1, R-2, and R-3 that read signals from the tracks recorded on the magnetic recording medium 2. Each reproducing head R-1, R-2, R-3 has its head width and arrangement determined so that a signal can be reproduced from one or more adjacent tracks on the magnetic recording medium 2. Yes.

  The channel reproducing unit 220 amplifies signals reproduced by N reproducing heads R-1, R-2, and R-3 mounted on the reproducing head array 210, and N reproducing amplifiers 221-1 and 221-2. , 221-3 and N gain amplifiers 224-1, 224-2 for controlling the gain so that the amplitude levels of the outputs of the N reproduction amplifiers 221-1, 221-2, 221-3 become predetermined values. 224-3, and A / D converters 225-1, 225-2, and 225-3 that quantize the outputs of the gain adjusting units 224-1, 224-2, and 224-3 into digital values having a predetermined bit width. Prepare.

  Note that a low-pass filter that removes unnecessary high-frequency components may be provided immediately before the A / D converters 225-1, 225-2, and 225-3 as necessary.

  Further, the gain adjusting units 224-1, 224-2, and 224-3 may be arranged not in the preceding stage of the A / D converters 225-1, 225-2, and 225-3 but in the subsequent stage. This is because the bit widths of the A / D converters 225-1, 225-2, and 225-3 are used more effectively, and the configurations of the gain adjusting units 224-1, 244-2, and 224-3 are included in the preample. This is effective when it is desired to make it simple considering the detection of each pattern.

  The signal separation unit 230 includes a synchronization signal detector 231 that detects a synchronization pattern from the outputs of the A / D converters 225-1, 225-2, and 225-3, and a synchronization signal detected by the synchronization signal detector 231. Then, the start position of the separation pattern is specified, and the channel estimation calculation and the signal separation calculation are performed using the separation pattern, thereby being reproduced by each of the plurality of reproducing heads R-1, R-2, and R-3. And a signal separation processing unit 236 that separates the reproduction signal for each track from the reproduction signal for one unit.

  The multi-track demodulator 240 is configured with M equalizers 241-1, 241-2, 241-3 that perform equalization processing on the reproduction signal for each track separated by the signal separation processor 236, and the like. Generated by the M PLLs 242-1, 242-2, and 242-3 and the PLLs 242-1, 242-2, and 242-3 that perform bit synchronization from the outputs of the generators 241-1, 241-2, and 241-3. For example, M detectors 243-1, 243-2, and 243-3 such as a Viterbi detector, and a detector 243 are used to binarize the reproduction signal for each track using the bit synchronization signal. M synchronization signal detectors 244-1, 244-2, 244-3 for detecting a synchronization pattern on the code string from the binarized reproduction signals output from 1,243-2, 243-3, Synchronization signal detector 244-1 M decoders 245-1, 245-2, and 245-3 that identify the data start position based on the synchronization pattern detected by 44-2 and 244-3 and decode the data string from the code string; Is provided.

  The restoration unit 260 concatenates the data of each track output from the M decoders 245-1, 245-2, and 245-3 in the multitrack demodulation unit 240 by an operation reverse to that at the time of recording, and reproduces data. 3 is provided.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the flow of unit reproduction operation of the reproduction apparatus 900. In the reproducing apparatus 900, first, one unit of the magnetic recording medium 2 is formed by N reproducing heads R-1, R-2, and R-3 that can reproduce signals from one or more adjacent tracks. A signal is reproduced from a plurality of tracks (step S901).

  Next, after the gain adjustment units 224-1, 224-2, and 224-3 adjust the amplitude levels of the outputs of the reproduction amplifiers 221-1, 221-2, and 221-3, the gain adjustment unit 224- The outputs of 1, 244-2 and 224-3 are converted into digital values by A / D converters 225-1, 225-2, and 225-3 and output to the synchronization signal detector 231 (step S902).

  The synchronization signal detector 231 detects a synchronization pattern for knowing the start position of the separation pattern in the preamble for each output of the A / D converters 225-1, 225-2, and 225-3 (step S903). .

  Next, the signal separation processing unit 236 identifies the start position of the separation pattern based on the synchronization signal detected by the synchronization signal detector 231, and uses the separation pattern to perform each reproduction head R− by channel estimation calculation. After obtaining a channel matrix corresponding to the positional relationship in the track width direction between 1, R-2, R-3 and a plurality of tracks for one unit (step S904), each reproducing head R is used by using this channel matrix. The reproduction signal for each track is separated from the reproduction signal for one unit reproduced by -1, R-2, and R-3 (step S905).

  Thereafter, the multi-track demodulator 240 decodes the data sequence from the reproduction signal for each track (step S906), and the reconstruction unit 260 concatenates the data for each track to obtain reproduction data 3 (step S906). S907).

  By the way, as a technical problem for obtaining a more stable reproduction signal in the case of adopting the above magnetic recording / reproduction method, for example, the quality of the reproduction signal is deteriorated when a variation such as a track offset occurs during reproduction. there were.

  In the above magnetic recording / reproducing method, the end track of a plurality of tracks constituting a unit is called a guard band having no information provided so as to prevent interference with the adjacent unit during reproduction. Since it is in contact with the area, when reproducing the track at the end, information on the track at the end is reproduced by the reproducing head together with the guard band portion.

  When performing gain control for each playback signal to reduce the variation in playback output for each playback head, for example, the peak of the playback signal for each gain control pattern with respect to the playback signal for the gain control pattern for each playback head A reference output is obtained by arithmetic processing such as average addition of values, and this reference output is multiplied by the reproduction signal of each reproduction head. At this time, the reproduction signal of the reproducing head that reproduces the track at the end including the guard band portion does not necessarily obtain a correct reference output, and it is difficult to perform a desired gain control process, and the quality of the reproduction signal is low. There was a problem of lowering. Further, the above-described problem that it is difficult to perform a desired gain control process on a reproduction signal of a reproducing head that reproduces an end track including a guard band portion becomes more prominent when a track offset occurs.

  In view of such circumstances, the present invention can stably perform gain control on a reproduction signal for each reproduction head and can perform data reproduction satisfactorily, a reproduction method, a recording / reproduction device, a track format, and A recording medium is to be provided.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a playback apparatus according to the present invention has a plurality of tracks constituting a unit, which is a unit of signal processing for data playback, on both sides of the unit in the width direction of the track. Is a device for reproducing the data from a recording medium on which a preamble necessary for data reproduction is recorded, in which tracks as guard bands are arranged, and each track includes a gain control pattern for gain control. Based on a reproduction head capable of reproducing a signal across a plurality of tracks and a reproduction signal of the gain control pattern for each reproduction head, gain information for the reproduction signal for each reproduction head is obtained, and the reproduction signal is obtained. A reproduction signal gain control processing unit for controlling the level of the reproduction signal.

  According to the present invention, the reproduction head simultaneously reproduces the gain control pattern of the track as the guard band and the gain control pattern of the track constituting the unit, and the reproduction signal gain control processing unit performs the gain control pattern of each track. Based on this playback signal, gain information for the playback signal for each playback head is obtained, and the level of the playback signal is controlled, so that even if a track offset occurs during playback, playback is performed for each playback head. The gain control for the signal can be performed satisfactorily. As a result, the quality of the reproduction signal obtained by the separation calculation process can be improved.

  The reproducing apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of the reproducing heads so that signals can be reproduced with different positional relationships with respect to the tracks, and at least one reproducing head of the plurality of reproducing heads includes The gain control pattern of a part of the plurality of tracks constituting the unit and the gain control pattern of the track as the guard band may be reproduced simultaneously. Thereby, it is possible to satisfactorily perform gain control on the reproduction signal for each reproduction head.

  Further, in the reproduction apparatus of the present invention, the reproduction signal gain control processing unit applies a predetermined calculation including addition to the reproduction signal of the gain control pattern for each reproduction head to the reproduction signal for each reproduction head. Gain information may be obtained.

  In the playback apparatus of the present invention, the preamble of each track constituting the unit has a separation pattern necessary for detecting a positional relationship in the track width direction during playback between the playback head and the plurality of tracks. A channel estimation calculation unit that calculates a channel matrix corresponding to the positional relationship in the track width direction during reproduction between the reproduction head and the plurality of tracks, based on the reproduction signal of the separation pattern for each unit. Based on the channel matrix obtained by the channel estimation calculation unit, from the reproduction signal for one unit reproduced by the reproduction head and the level of which is controlled by the reproduction signal gain control processing unit, for each track And a signal separation calculation unit that separates the reproduced signals.

  In the reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the reproducing head is provided so as to be movable in the track width direction so that the unit can be scanned and reproduced in different positional relations with respect to the tracks in the unit. During the scanning, the reproducing head may simultaneously reproduce the gain control pattern of a part of the plurality of tracks constituting the unit and the gain control pattern of the track as the guard band. Thereby, the gain control with respect to the reproduction signal of the reproduction head for each scan can be performed satisfactorily.

  A reproduction method according to another aspect of the present invention has a plurality of tracks constituting a unit which is a unit of signal processing for data reproduction, and the data is placed on both sides of the unit in the width direction of the track. A track as a guard band that does not have is arranged, and each of the tracks includes a gain control pattern for gain control, and reproduces the data from a recording medium on which a preamble necessary for data reproduction is recorded. Then, a reproduction head capable of reproducing a signal across a plurality of tracks is provided, and gain information for the reproduction signal for each reproduction head is obtained based on the reproduction signal of the preamble for each reproduction head, A step of controlling the level of the reproduction signal.

  According to the reproduction method of the present invention, the reproduction head simultaneously reproduces the gain control pattern of the track as the guard band and the gain control pattern of the track constituting the unit, and based on the reproduction signal of the gain control pattern of each track. In addition, gain information on the playback signal for each playback head is obtained, and the level of the playback signal is controlled, so that gain control for the playback signal for each playback head is good even when a track offset occurs during playback. Can be done. As a result, the quality of the reproduction signal obtained by the separation calculation process can be improved.

  The reproducing method of the present invention includes a plurality of the reproducing heads so that signals can be reproduced with different positional relationships with respect to the respective tracks, and at least one reproducing head of the plurality of reproducing heads includes the unit. The gain control pattern of a part of the plurality of tracks constituting the track and the gain control pattern of the track as the guard band may be reproduced simultaneously. Thereby, it is possible to satisfactorily perform gain control on the reproduction signal for each reproduction head.

  In the reproduction method of the present invention, gain information for the reproduction signal for each reproduction head may be obtained by a predetermined calculation including addition to the reproduction signal of the gain control pattern for each reproduction head.

  In the playback method of the present invention, the preamble of each track constituting the unit has a separation pattern necessary for detecting the positional relationship in the track width direction during playback between the playback head and the plurality of tracks. And calculating a channel matrix corresponding to the positional relationship in the track width direction during reproduction between the reproduction head and the plurality of tracks, based on the reproduction signal of the separation pattern for each unit; and A step of separating a reproduction signal for each track from a reproduction signal for one unit reproduced by the reproduction head and controlled in level by the reproduction signal gain control processing unit based on a matrix. It is good as well.

  Further, in the reproducing method of the present invention, the reproducing head is provided so as to be movable in the track width direction so that the unit can be scanned and reproduced with a different positional relationship with respect to each track in the unit, and at least once. During the scanning, the reproducing head may simultaneously reproduce the gain control pattern of a part of the plurality of tracks constituting the unit and the gain control pattern of the track as the guard band. Thereby, the gain control with respect to the reproduction signal of the reproduction head for each scan can be performed satisfactorily.

  A recording / reproducing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes a reproducing apparatus having a reproducing head capable of reproducing a signal across a plurality of tracks, and recording on a recording medium so that data can be reproduced by the reproducing apparatus. And a recording device for recording a plurality of tracks constituting a unit, which is a unit of signal processing for data reproduction by the head, wherein the recording device is arranged in the width direction of the track of the unit. A guard band recording section for recording a track as a guard band on both sides of the reproduction head, and the reproduction apparatus obtains gain information for the reproduction signal for each reproduction head based on the reproduction signal of the preamble for each reproduction head. Thus, a reproduction signal gain control processing unit for controlling the level of the reproduction signal is provided.

  According to the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the reproducing head simultaneously reproduces the gain control pattern of the track as the guard band and the gain control pattern of the track constituting the unit, and also provides a reproduction signal of the gain control pattern of each track. In addition, gain information on the playback signal for each playback head is obtained and the level of the playback signal is controlled, so that even if a track offset occurs during playback, gain control on the playback signal for each playback head is performed. It can be done well. As a result, the quality of the reproduction signal obtained by the separation calculation process can be improved.

  A track format according to another aspect of the present invention has a plurality of tracks constituting a unit which is a unit of signal processing for data reproduction, and guard bands on both sides of the unit in the width direction of the track. In other words, each track has a preamble necessary for data reproduction including a gain control pattern for gain control.

  According to the track format of the present invention, since the preamble including the gain control pattern is arranged in the track as the guard band, like the track constituting the unit, the guard band can be obtained by one reproducing head of the reproducing apparatus. The gain control pattern of the track and the gain control pattern of the tracks constituting the unit are reproduced simultaneously, and gain information for the reproduction signal for each reproduction head is obtained based on the reproduction signal of the gain control pattern of each track. By controlling the level of the reproduction signal, it is possible to satisfactorily perform gain control on the reproduction signal for each reproduction head even when a track offset occurs during reproduction. As a result, the quality of the reproduction signal obtained by the separation calculation process can be improved.

  In the track format of the present invention, the preamble of each track constituting the unit has a separation pattern necessary for detecting the positional relationship in the track width direction during playback between the playback head and the plurality of tracks. Further, it may be included.

  A recording medium according to another aspect of the present invention has a plurality of tracks constituting a unit which is a unit of signal processing for data reproduction, and guard bands are provided on both sides of the unit in the width direction of the track. These tracks are recorded with a preamble necessary for data reproduction including a gain control pattern for gain control.

  According to the recording medium of the present invention, since the preamble including the gain control pattern is arranged in the track as the guard band, similarly to the track constituting the unit, the guard band is obtained by one reproducing head of the reproducing apparatus. The gain control pattern of the track and the gain control pattern of the tracks constituting the unit are reproduced simultaneously, and gain information for the reproduction signal for each reproduction head is obtained based on the reproduction signal of the gain control pattern of each track. By controlling the level of the reproduction signal, it is possible to satisfactorily perform gain control on the reproduction signal for each reproduction head even when a track offset occurs during reproduction. As a result, the quality of the reproduction signal obtained by the separation calculation process can be improved.

  In the recording medium of the present invention, the preamble of each track constituting the unit has a separation pattern necessary for detecting the positional relationship in the track width direction during reproduction between the reproduction head and the plurality of tracks. Further, it may be included.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to stably perform gain control on a reproduction signal for each reproduction head, and to perform data reproduction satisfactorily.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  (First embodiment)

  As a first embodiment of the present invention, a recording apparatus and a reproducing apparatus in a magnetic recording / reproducing system using a multi-head will be described. The recording apparatus of this embodiment is an apparatus for recording signals on a tape-shaped magnetic recording medium without aligning the recording position for each track, and the reproducing apparatus does not align the reproducing position for each track from the magnetic recording medium. This is a device for reproducing a signal. Let M be the number of recording heads and N be the number of reproducing heads. In this embodiment, M = 6 and N = 6.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a recording apparatus 100 in the magnetic recording / reproducing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the recording apparatus 100 includes a multitrack unit 110, a multitrack recording encoding unit 120, a multitrack preamble adding unit 130, a multitrack recording unit 140, a recording head array 150, and a guard band recording unit. 160.

  The multitrack unit 110 includes a data distributor 111 that distributes the recording data 1 to M pieces of data for multitracking.

  The multi-track recording encoding unit 120 includes M recording encoding units 121-1, 121-2,..., 121-6 that encode the recording data allocated to M by the data distributor 111. Composed.

  The multi-track preamble adding unit 130 adds M preamble adding units 131-1, 131-2, 131-2, and 1212 for adding a preamble necessary for data reproduction control to each recording data encoded by the multi-track recording encoding unit 120. ..., 131-6.

  The multi-track recording unit 140 is a means for recording the recording code string of each track to which the preamble is added on the recording medium. More specifically, the multi-track recording unit 140 provides M timings that give desired timing to the recording code string to which the preamble is added. , 141-6, M recording compensators 144-1, 144-2,..., 144-6 that perform recording compensation processing, and recording M recording amplifiers 147-1, 147-2,... For driving the individual recording heads W- 1, W- 2,. 147-6.

  The recording head array 150 includes M recording heads W-1, W-2,..., W-6 that are used for recording tracks including data on the magnetic recording medium 2, and tracks that do not include data. It has one recording head W-0 used for recording as a guard band.

  The guard band recording unit 160 is a means for recording a guard band, to which a preamble necessary for data reproduction control is added, on the magnetic recording medium 2 using the guard band recording head W-0.

  The guard band recording unit 160 includes an erasure signal generation unit 161, a preamble addition unit 131-0, an output timing setting unit 141-0, a recording compensation unit 144-0, and a recording amplifier 147-0.

  The erase signal generator 161 is a means for generating an erase signal to be recorded in the guard band. For the erasure signal, a code string that is not used for a data code string, such as a repetitive signal having a recording wavelength equal to or shorter than the shortest recording wavelength, or a DC signal, is used.

  The preamble adding unit 131-0 adds a guard band preamble including a gain control pattern, a synchronization pattern, an identification pattern, and the like to the code sequence of the erasure signal output from the erasure signal generation unit 161.

  The output timing setting unit 141-0 gives a desired timing to the recording code string of the erasure signal to which the preamble is added. The recording compensation unit 144-0 performs a recording compensation process on the output of the output timing setting unit 141-0. The recording amplifier 147-0 drives the recording head W-0 based on the recording code string for the guard band after the recording compensation process.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of unit and guard band recording by the recording apparatus 100. In the recording apparatus 100, an operation of recording M (M = 6) tracks including data and an operation of recording one guard band are switched and executed. First, it is determined whether an object to be recorded is a guard band or a track (step S101).

  When the object of recording to be performed is a track, control is performed to perform the following operation. First, the input recording data 1 is recorded in the multitrack unit 110 by the number of track recording heads W-1, W-2,..., W-6 (M = 6), that is, units. Is distributed to the data corresponding to the number of tracks constituting the (step S102).

  Each of the distributed data is encoded in consideration of the recording / reproduction characteristics of the magnetic recording medium 2 by the recording encoding units 121-1, 121-2, ..., 121-6 of the multi-track recording encoding unit 120, respectively. Encoded into a column. At this time, information necessary for data demodulation such as a synchronization pattern for demodulation is also added to the data code string (step S103).

  Next, the encoded recording data is subjected to preambles of a plurality of tracks by the reproducing head during reproduction by the preamble adding units 131-1, 131-2, ..., 131-6 of the multitrack preamble adding unit 130. Are not reproduced at the same time, a preamble necessary for data reproduction control is added at least in a positional relationship where each adjacent track deviates in the direction in which the tracks proceed, and a recording code string is obtained (step S1). S104).

  Here, as a preamble pattern necessary for control of reproducing data, for example, a gain control pattern used for learning for gain control on a reproduction signal, synchronization used for synchronization detection for bit synchronization processing, etc. There are a pattern, an identification pattern for identifying a track, and a separation pattern necessary for calculating a channel matrix corresponding to the positional relationship in the track width direction between a plurality of reproducing heads and a plurality of tracks for one unit. . The plurality of tracks for one unit are a plurality of tracks constituting a unit that is one unit of signal processing for data reproduction. The synchronization pattern is also used as information for specifying the separation pattern for each track and the head position of data. These patterns are created in consideration of the rules of the code strings generated by the recording encoding units 121-1, 121-2, ..., 121-6 of the multitrack recording encoding unit 120. .

  The recording code string for each track is given a desired timing by the output timing setting units 141-1, 141-2,..., 141-6 of the multitrack recording unit 140, and then the recording compensation unit 144- 1, 144-2,..., 144-6 are subjected to a recording compensation process for optimizing the recording on the magnetic recording medium 2. The recording code string for each track subjected to the recording compensation processing is converted from voltage to current by the recording amplifiers 147-1, 147-2,..., 147-6, and the recording heads W-1, W-2,. .., W-6 and recorded on the magnetic recording medium 2 by the recording heads W-1, W-2,..., W-6 (step S105).

  On the other hand, in step S101, if the target of recording to be performed is a guard band, control is performed to perform the following operation. First, an erase signal for a predetermined unit is output from the erase signal generator 161 of the guard band recording unit 160 (step S106). Next, the preamble adding unit 131-0 adds a guard band preamble to the code string of the erasure signal (step S107).

  The erasure signal recording code string output from the preamble adding unit 131-0 is given a desired timing by the output timing setting unit 141-0 in the guard band recording unit 160, and then stored in the guard band recording unit 160. A recording compensation process for optimizing the recording on the magnetic recording medium 2 is performed in the recording compensation unit 144-0. The recording code string of the erasure signal subjected to the recording compensation process is converted from voltage to current by the recording amplifier 147-0 in the guard band recording unit 160 and sent to the recording head W-0. Recording is performed on the magnetic recording medium 2 (step S108).

  As described above, the recording apparatus 100 records the M tracks and one guard band constituting the unit, and then moves the recording head array 150 by a certain amount in the tape width direction of the magnetic recording medium 2. Next, M tracks and one guard band constituting the next unit are recorded, and this is repeated a predetermined number of times (s). Finally, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the guard band 52 is recorded on the unit 51 so that the guard bands 52 are arranged on both sides of each unit 51 and the guard bands 52 are interposed between the units 51. Performed once more than recording. That is, in the example of FIG. 6, guard band # 1, unit # 1, guard band # 2, unit # 2, guard band # 3,..., Guard band #s, from one end in the width direction of the magnetic recording medium 2. Recording is performed in the order of unit #s and guard band # s + 1. Here, the guard band # s + 1 is created by performing only the recording of the guard band 52 by the guard band recording unit 160 at the position where the recording head array 150 is finally moved in the track width direction.

  Next, a reproducing apparatus in the magnetic recording / reproducing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a reproducing apparatus 200 in the magnetic recording / reproducing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the reproducing apparatus 200 includes a reproducing head array 210, a channel reproducing unit 220, a signal separation processing unit 230, a multitrack demodulation unit 240, and a restoration unit 260.

  The reproducing head array 210 has N (N = 6) reproducing heads R-1, R-2,..., R-6 that read signals from the tracks recorded on the magnetic recording medium 2. Each of the reproducing heads R-1, R-2,..., R-6 has a head width and an arrangement so that signals can be reproduced from two or more adjacent tracks on the magnetic recording medium 2. Is decided.

  The channel reproducing unit 220 amplifies the signals reproduced by the N reproducing heads R-1, R-2,..., R-6 mounted on the reproducing head array 210, and N reproducing amplifiers 221-1. , 221-2,..., 221-6 and N reproduction amplifiers 221-1, 221-2,. , 224-6, and gain adjustment units 224-1, 224-2,..., 224-6 are converted into digital values having a predetermined bit width. A / D converters 225-1, 225-2, ..., 225-6 for quantization are provided.

  Note that a low-pass filter that removes unnecessary high-frequency components may be provided immediately before the A / D converters 225-1, 225-2,.

  In addition, the gain adjustment units 224-1, 224-2,..., 224-6 are arranged not in the previous stage of the A / D converters 225-1, 225-2,. Also good. This is because the bit widths of the A / D converters 225-1, 225-2,..., 225-6 are used more effectively, or the gain adjusting units 224-1, 224-2,. This configuration is effective when it is desired to simplify the configuration considering the detection of each pattern included in the preampule.

  The signal separation processing unit 230 includes a synchronization signal detection unit 231, an identification information detection unit 232, a reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233, a channel estimation calculation unit 234, a reproduction position control processing unit 235, and a signal separation calculation unit 236. Yes.

  The synchronization signal detector 231 reproduces each reproduction head R-1, R-2,..., R-6 output from the A / D converters 225-1, 225-2,. A synchronization pattern in the preamble is detected from the signal.

  The identification information detection unit 232 uses the information obtained by the synchronization signal detection unit 231 to specify the head position of the identification pattern in the reproduction signal of each reproduction head R-1, R-2,. Then, the identification pattern information is detected and the identification information is output.

  The reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233 detects a gain control pattern in the preamble from the reproduction signal of each reproduction head R-1, R-2,..., R-6 that has passed through the identification information detection unit 232, and Based on this gain control pattern, the gain for the reproduction signal of each reproduction head R-1, R-2,..., R-6 is calculated, and each reproduction head R-1, R-2,. • Controls the level of the R-6 playback signal.

  The channel estimation calculation unit 234 uses the synchronization signal detected by the synchronization signal detection unit 231 to separate the signals included in the preamble of the reproduction signal of each reproduction head R-1, R-2,. The head position of the pattern is specified, and the reproduction heads R-1, R-2,..., R-6 and a plurality of tracks are reproduced by a predetermined channel estimation calculation using reproduction signals of these separation patterns. A channel matrix corresponding to the positional relationship in the track width direction is obtained.

  The reproduction position control processing unit 235, based on the information obtained by the synchronization signal detection unit 231, each reproduction head R-1, R-2,..., R− that has passed through the reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233. 6 is performed to match the reproduction position of the reproduction signal.

  The signal separation calculation unit 236 calculates an inverse matrix of the channel matrix obtained by the channel estimation calculation unit 234, and each reproduction head R-1 input from the reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233 based on the inverse matrix. , R-2,..., R-6, the reproduction signal for each track is separated.

  The signal separation processing unit 230 has a storage unit (not shown) that stores information necessary for processing. The signal separation processing unit 230 performs processing by storing information for a predetermined unit including a preamble and data, for example, in the storage unit.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the multi-track demodulation unit 240 performs M equalizers 241-1 and 241-2 that perform equalization processing on the reproduction signal for each track separated by the signal separation operation unit 236. , ..., 241-6 and M PLLs 242-1, 242-2, ..., which perform bit synchronization from the outputs of the equalizers 241-1, 241-2, ..., 241-6. 242-6 and the reproduction signals of the tracks R-1, R-2,..., R-6 using the bit synchronization signals generated by the PLLs 242-1, 242-2,. .., 243-6, and detectors 243-1, 243-2,..., For example, Viterbi detectors and the like. .., 243-6 output binarized reproduction signal is used to detect synchronization signal on code string , 244-6 and the synchronization patterns detected by the synchronization signal detectors 244-1, 244-2,. Are provided with M decoders 245-1, 245-2,..., 245-6 that specify the head position of the data and decode the data string from the code string. Note that the multitrack demodulation unit 240 has a storage unit (not shown) that stores information such as data necessary for performing the above processing.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the restoration unit 260 records the data of each track output from the M decoders 245-1, 245-2, ..., 245-6 in the multitrack demodulation unit 240 at the time of recording. And a data combiner 261 that restores the reproduced data 3 by connecting them in the reverse operation.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a unit reproduction operation flow of the reproduction apparatus 200.

  In this reproducing apparatus 200, first, the magnetic recording medium 2 is constituted by N reproducing heads R-1, R-2,..., R-6 that can reproduce signals from one or more adjacent tracks. A signal is reproduced from a plurality of tracks of one unit (step S201).

  Next, the gain adjustment units 224-1, 224-2, ..., 224-6 adjust the amplitude levels of the outputs of the reproduction amplifiers 221-1, 221-2, ..., 221-6. Then, the A / D converters 225-1, 225-2,..., 225-6 are converted into digital values and output to the synchronization signal detection unit 231 (step S202).

  Next, the reproducing heads R-1, R-2,..., R-6 output from the A / D converters 225-1, 225-2,. A synchronization pattern included in each reproduction signal is detected (step S203).

  Next, based on the synchronization pattern detected by the synchronization signal detection unit 231 by the identification information detection unit 232, the identification pattern in the reproduction signal of each reproduction head R-1, R-2,. Is identified and the identification pattern is detected to obtain identification information (step S204).

  Next, in the reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233, each reproduction head R is based on the reproduction signal of the gain control pattern in the preamble of each reproduction head R-1, R-2,. −1, R−2,..., R-6, gains for the reproduction signals are calculated, and the levels of the reproduction signals of the respective reproduction heads R-1, R-2,. (Step S205).

  Next, based on the synchronization pattern detected by the synchronization signal detection unit 231 and the identification information obtained by the identification information detection unit 232 in the channel estimation calculation unit 234, each reproducing head R-1, R-2, ..., the head position of the separation pattern included in the reproduction signal of R-6 is specified, and reproduction heads R-1, R-2, ..., R-6 are used using the reproduction signals of these separation patterns. A channel matrix corresponding to the positional relationship between the track and the plurality of tracks in the track width direction is calculated (step S206).

  Next, based on the synchronization pattern detected by the synchronization signal detection unit 231 and the identification information obtained by the identification information detection unit 232 in the reproduction position control processing unit 235, the reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233 determines the level. Processing for adjusting the reproduction position of the reproduction signal of each of the adjusted reproduction heads R-1, R-2,..., R-6 is performed (step S207).

  Next, the signal separation calculation unit 236 calculates an inverse matrix of the channel matrix obtained by the channel estimation calculation unit 234, and each reproduction position is adjusted by the reproduction position control processing unit 235 using this inverse matrix. A process of separating the reproduction signal for each track from the reproduction signals of the reproduction heads R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 is performed (step S208).

  Thereafter, the multi-track demodulator 240 decodes the data string from the reproduction signal separated for each track (step S209), and the restoration unit 260 concatenates the data of each track to obtain reproduction data 3. (Step S210).

  FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of a track format on the magnetic recording medium 2 on which recording has been performed by the recording apparatus 100 described above.

  Here, M tracks # 1, # 2,..., # 6 recorded on the magnetic recording medium 2 by the M recording heads are one unit 51. A plurality (s) of such units 51 are recorded side by side in the tape width direction of the magnetic recording medium 2 on the magnetic recording medium 2. On both sides of each unit 51, guard bands 52, which are areas where data is not recorded, are arranged. The purpose of the guard band 52 is to prevent data from being reproduced from a unit adjacent to the unit being reproduced.

  In each track # 1, # 2,..., # 6, a preamble 21 which is information necessary for control of reproducing the data 22 and data 22 to be reproduced are arranged. Although no data is recorded in the guard band 52, a preamble including a gain control pattern, a synchronization pattern, an identification pattern, and the like is recorded at a predetermined position in the track traveling direction.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the details of the track format of FIG. 6 and shows one unit 51 and two guard bands 52 arranged on both sides of the unit 51 from the entire track format of FIG. Is.

  As shown in the figure, each of the preambles 21 of the tracks # 1, # 2,..., # 6 includes a first preamble 23 and a second preamble 24. The first preamble 23 includes gain control patterns 41-1, 41-2, ..., 41-6, synchronization patterns 42-1, 42-2, ..., 42-6, and an identification pattern 43-1. , 43-2,..., 43-6. The second preamble 24 is composed of separation patterns 44-1, 44-2, ..., 42-6. Each track # 1, # 2,..., # 6 has gain control patterns 41-1, 41-2,..., 41-6 and synchronization patterns 42-1, 42-2 from the head side. ,..., 42-6, and identification patterns 43-1, 43-2,. Then, after the second preamble 24, data 22 to be reproduced is arranged.

  On the other hand, in the guard band 52, gain control patterns 41-0 and 41-7, synchronization patterns 42-0 and 42-7, and identification patterns 43-0 and 43-7, which are elements of the first preamble 23, are recorded. No data to be reproduced is recorded.

  The patterns of the first preamble 23 recorded on the tracks # 1, # 2,..., # 6 are respectively positions in the direction in which the track proceeds with respect to the patterns of the preamble 21 of other tracks in the same unit. So that they do not overlap each other. That is, the pattern (gain control pattern 41-1, synchronization pattern 42-1 and identification pattern 43-1) of the preamble 23 of track # 1 is the pattern (gain control pattern) of the first preamble 23 of track # 2 in the t1 interval. 41-2, synchronization pattern 42-2, identification pattern 43-2) is the pattern of the first preamble 23 of track # 3 (gain control pattern 41-3, synchronization pattern 42-3, identification pattern 43-) in the t2 interval. 3) The pattern of the first preamble 23 of track # 4 (gain control pattern 41-4, synchronization pattern 42-4, identification pattern 43-4) is in the t3 section, and the first preamble of track # 5 is in the t4 section. The pattern of the preamble 23 (gain control pattern 41-5, synchronization pattern 42-5, identification pattern 43-5) is t5. During the pattern of the first preamble 23 of the track # 6 (gain control pattern 41-6, the synchronization pattern 42-6, the identification pattern 43-6) The interval t6, are disposed respectively. A gap 40 for a margin is provided between the recording sections of these patterns.

  On the other hand, gain control patterns 41-0 and 41-7, synchronization patterns 42-0 and 42-7, and identification patterns 43-0 and 43-7, which are patterns of the first preamble 23 recorded in each guard band 52, are also included. The positions of the preambles 21 recorded on the tracks # 1, # 2,..., # 6 do not overlap with the positions in the track traveling direction, for example, the pattern of the preamble 21 of the track # 6. It is arranged in the later t7 section.

  By arranging the pattern of the first preamble 23 in this way, even when the channel clock positions of the tracks # 1, # 2,..., # 6 and the guard band 52 are not aligned, The reproduction signal level is not lowered due to the cancellation of the patterns between the track and the guard band 52, and the process using the pattern of the first preamble 23 can be performed satisfactorily.

  Also, the separation patterns 44-1, 44-2,..., 42-6, which are the second preambles 24 of the tracks # 1, # 2,. On the other hand, the positions in the traveling direction of the tracks are arranged so as not to overlap each other. That is, the separation pattern 44-1 for track # 1 is in the T1 section, the separation pattern 44-2 for track # 2 is in the T2 section, the separation pattern 44-3 for track # 3 is in the T3 section, and the separation pattern for track # 4. 44-4 is recorded in the T4 section, the separation pattern 44-5 of the track # 5 is recorded in the T5 section, and the separation pattern 44-6 of the track # 6 is recorded in the T6 section. As a result, there are six types of separation patterns corresponding to the number of tracks. A gap 40 for a predetermined time for a margin is provided between the separation patterns 44-1, 44-2,..., 42-6 of adjacent tracks.

  The separation patterns 44-1, 44-2,..., 42-6 are recorded at a predetermined recording wavelength equal to or greater than the minimum recording wavelength.

  Gain control patterns 41-0, 41-1,..., 41-7 arranged in the tracks # 1, # 2,..., # 6 and the first preamble 23 of the guard band 52 are reproduced. Sometimes, learning for gain control of the reproduction amplifiers 221-1, 221-2, ..., 221-6 by the gain adjustment units 224-1, 224-2, ..., 224-6 in the reproduction apparatus 200 In addition to being used as a signal, it is used for control by the reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233. Further, the gain control patterns 41-0, 41-1,..., 41-7 are used for control by the reproduction position control processing unit 235 as necessary. In addition to this, it is used as a learning signal for bit synchronization detection by the synchronization signal detection unit 231 in the playback apparatus 200 as necessary.

  .., # 6 and the sync patterns 42-0, 42-1,..., 42-7 arranged in the first preamble 23 of the guard band 52 are recorded on the playback device. , 43-7, separation patterns 44-1, 44-2,..., 43-7, which are used for detection of the synchronization pattern by the synchronization signal detection unit 231 in 200. .., 44-6 and used as information for knowing the head position of the data 22. Further, the synchronization patterns 42-0, 42-1,..., 42-7 are used for reproduction position control in the reproduction position control processing unit 235.

  Identification patterns 43-0, 43-1,..., 43-7 arranged in the first preamble 23 of each track # 1, # 2,. It is detected by the identification information detection unit 232 in 200 and used to obtain track and guard band identification information, and is also used for channel estimation calculation in the channel estimation calculation unit 234. Further, the identification information is used for playback position control in the playback position control processing unit 235.

  The separation patterns 41-1, 41-2,..., 41-6 arranged as the second preamble 24 in the tracks # 1, # 2,. Is used for channel estimation calculation to obtain a channel matrix of This channel matrix corresponds to position information in the track width direction of the individual reproducing heads R-1, R-2,..., R-6 for each track # 1, # 2, # 3 in one unit. In other words, it is information indicating at what ratio and in what proportion each individual reproduction head R-1, R-2,..., R-6 overlaps.

  In the example of FIG. 7, the width of the reproducing heads R-1, R-2,..., R-6 is 1.5 times the track width. That is, the width of the reproducing heads R-1, R-2,..., R-6 is 1.5 times the head width of the recording heads W-1, W-2,. The individual reproducing heads R-1, R-2,..., R-6 can reproduce signals from a plurality of tracks.

  Next, a modification of the track format shown in FIG. 7 is shown.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a modified row of the track format. In this track format, the pattern of the first preamble 23 arranged on the six tracks # 1, # 2,..., # 6 is divided into three sections t1, t2, t3 in the track traveling direction. The patterns of the first preambles 23 of a plurality of tracks arranged and reproduced by the individual reproducing heads R-1, R-2,..., R-6 are shifted from each other in the track traveling direction. The position of the pattern of the first preamble 23 of each track # 1, # 2,..., # 6 is determined so as to be arranged.

  That is, the pattern of the preamble 21 of the track # 1 and the track # 4 is in the t1 section, and the pattern of the first preamble 23 of the track # 2 and the track # 5 is in the t2 section, and the first pattern of the track # 3 and the track # 6. The pattern of the preamble 23 is arranged in the t3 section. A gap 40 for a margin is provided between the recording sections of these patterns.

  The arrangement of the separation patterns 44-1, 44-2,..., 44-6 of the second preamble 24 is the same as that in FIG. The arrangement of the pattern of the first preamble 23 in the guard band 52 is the same as that in FIG. 7, and the first preamble 23 recorded in the tracks # 1, # 2,. For example, the pattern is arranged in the t4 section after the pattern of the first preamble 23 of tracks # 3 and # 6.

  According to such a track format, compared to the track format shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to reduce the amount of consumption in the traveling direction of the track of the magnetic recording medium 2 by the pattern of the first preamble 23, and to improve the recording efficiency. Improvements can be made.

  7 and 8, the first preamble of the guard band 52 differs from the recording code string of tracks # 1, # 2,... Although arranged in position, this is not a requirement of the present invention. For example, by making it possible to determine the reproduction signal of the first preamble of the guard band 52 based on the identification pattern given to the first preamble of the guard band 52, any one of the tracks # 1, # 2 ,..., # 6 may be arranged at the same position in the track traveling direction.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, when the first preambles of a plurality of tracks are arranged at the same position in the track traveling direction, these first preambles are not reproduced simultaneously by one reproducing head. It is necessary to use a proper format. In the track format shown in FIG. 8, for the reason described above, the interval between the tracks in which the first preamble is arranged at the same position in the track traveling direction is set to two tracks. If the interval is one track, the first preamble of those tracks is simultaneously reproduced by one reproducing head, so the interval needs to be two or more tracks.

  Next, referring back to FIG. 6, the identification patterns 43-0, 43-1,..., # 6 arranged in the tracks # 1, # 2,. Details of 43-7 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the identification information includes, for example, a number that identifies a unit, for example, a number from “1” to “s”, and a number that identifies a track in the unit, for example, “0” to “6”. It is expressed by a combination. For example, “1_2” indicates the second track of the first unit. In the expression of the identification information, the guard band 52 is treated as a track belonging to the unit on which recording is performed at the same time, and “0” is given to the number for identifying the track of the guard band 52. Therefore, for example, “2 — 0” indicates a guard band in which recording is performed simultaneously with the track of the second unit. Also, from one side in the tape width direction of the magnetic recording medium 2, guard band # 1, unit # 1, guard band # 2, unit # 2, guard band # 3,..., Guard band #s, unit #s, guard Since recording is performed in the order of band # s + 1, the last guard band # s + 1 is a track belonging to the s + 1th unit that does not actually exist, and (s + 1) _0 is given as identification information.

  When the maximum number of units is 8192 and the maximum number of tracks in the unit is 8, the number of bits expressing the identification information is at least 13 bits for the number identifying the unit, and for the number identifying the track. Therefore, at least 3 bits may be allocated, for a total of 16 bits.

  Further, as described above, instead of giving an identification number to the unit, the unit may be identified by, for example, a system frame unit or an error correction format unit.

  Next, details of processing performed in main blocks in the playback apparatus 200 of FIG. 3 will be described.

  (About the identification information detection unit 232)

  The identification information detection unit 232 identifies the start position of the identification pattern in the reproduction signal for each reproduction head based on the synchronization pattern detected by the synchronization signal detection unit 231, detects the identification pattern, and outputs the identification information. To do.

  When one playback head straddles the guard band 52 and the track, the synchronization signal detection unit 231 makes the synchronization pattern corresponding to the guard band 52 and the synchronization pattern corresponding to the track different from the playback signal obtained by the playback head. A sync signal corresponding to the guard band 52 and a sync signal corresponding to the track are detected. The identification information detection unit 232 uses the respective synchronization signals to identify the start positions of the guard band 52 and the track identification information, and detects the respective identification information.

  (Reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233)

  FIG. 9 is a diagram modeling the configuration of the track format shown in FIG. In the figure, reference numerals 23-0, 23-1,..., 23-7 denote, for example, a first preamble consisting of a gain control pattern, a synchronization pattern, an identification pattern, and the like, 44-1, 44-2,. .., 44-6 is a second preamble or separation pattern.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a reproduction signal of the recording data of FIG. 9, and there is no track offset, that is, the track corresponding to the center of each reproduction head R-1, R-2,..., R-6. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing reproduction signals of the reproducing heads R-1, R-2,.

  At this time, the reproduction head R-1 causes the reproduction signal 1a of the first preamble of the track # 1, the reproduction signal 1b having a small output of the first preamble of the track # 2, and the first preamble of the guard band # 1. The reproduction signal 1d having a small output is obtained.

  By the reproducing head R-2, the reproduction signal 2b of the first preamble of the track # 2, the reproduction signal 2a having a small output of the first preamble of the track # 1, and the output of the first preamble of the track # 3 are small. A reproduction signal 2c is obtained.

  By the reproducing head R-3, the reproduction signal 3c of the first preamble of the track # 3, the reproduction signal 3b having a small output of the first preamble of the track # 2, and the output of the first preamble of the track # 4 are small. A reproduction signal 3a is obtained.

  The reproduction head R-4 causes the reproduction signal 4a of the first preamble of the track # 4, the reproduction signal 4b of the output of the first preamble of the track # 5 to be small, and the output of the first preamble of the track # 3 to be small. A reproduction signal 4c is obtained.

  By the reproducing head R-5, the reproduction signal 5b of the first preamble of the track # 5, the reproduction signal 5a having a small output of the first preamble of the track # 4, and the output of the first preamble of the track # 6 are small. A reproduction signal 5c is obtained.

  By the reproducing head R-6, the reproduction signal 6c of the first preamble of the track # 6, the reproduction signal 6b having a small output of the first preamble of the track # 5, and the output of the first preamble of the guard band # 2 are output. A small reproduction signal 6d is obtained.

  The reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233 adds the gain control pattern signals of the respective reproduction heads R-1, R-2,..., R-6.

  That is, the reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233 adds the gain control pattern signals 1d, 1a, and 1b reproduced from the guard band # 1, track # 1, and track # 2 by the reproduction head R-1.

  Similarly, the reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233 adds the gain control pattern signals 2a, 2b, and 2c reproduced from the track # 1, the track # 2, and the track # 3 by the reproduction head R-2.

  The reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233 adds the gain control pattern signals 3b, 3c, and 3a reproduced from the track # 2, the track # 3, and the track # 4 by the reproduction head R-3.

  Further, the reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233 adds the gain control pattern signals 4c, 4a, and 4b reproduced from the track # 3, the track # 4, and the track # 5 by the reproduction head R-4.

  The reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233 adds the gain control pattern signals 5a, 5b, and 5c reproduced from the track # 4, the track # 5, and the track # 6 by the reproduction head R-5.

  Also, the reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233 adds the gain control pattern signals 6b, 6c, and 6d reproduced from the track # 5, the track # 6, and the guard band # 2 by the reproduction head R-6.

  The gain control pattern signals are added by, for example, detecting the peak value of the reproduction signal of the gain control pattern in each track and obtaining the average value thereof.

  The calculation results of the gain control patterns of the respective reproduction heads R-1, R-2,..., R-6 obtained in this way are reproduced by the reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233 for each reproduction signal. Individually used as a reference output. For example, the reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233 uses a value obtained by multiplying the reproduction signal value of each reproduction head R-1, R-2,..., R-6 by 1 / (reference output) as a control result. Output as.

  When there is no variation in the signal recording characteristics between the tracks, and there is no variation in the output characteristics of the reproducing heads R-1, R-2,..., R-6, 1a, 2b, 3c, 4a, 5b 6c are the same as each other, and the values of the reproduction signals 1d, 2a, 2c, 3a, 3b, 4b, 4c, 5a, 5c, 6b, and 6d having a small output are also the same. .., R-6, the gain control pattern reproduction signal addition results of the reproduction heads R-1, R-2,..., R-6 all have the same value.

  Next, an example of a reproduction signal when a track offset occurs is shown. FIG. 11 is different from FIG. 10 in that each reproducing head R-1, R-2, when the reproducing head array 210 is shifted upward in the figure by almost half of the track width and one reproducing head extends over two tracks at the maximum. .., R-6 are reproduction signals.

  In this case, the reproduction signal Ra of the first preamble of the track # 1 and the reproduction signal 1d of the first preamble of the guard band # 1 are obtained by the reproducing head R-1 with substantially the same output.

  The reproduction head R-2 can obtain the reproduction signal 2a of the first preamble of the track # 1 and the reproduction signal 2b of the first preamble of the track # 2 with substantially the same output.

  By the reproducing head R-3, the reproduction signal 3b of the first preamble of the track # 2 and the reproduction signal 3c of the first preamble of the track # 3 are obtained with substantially the same output.

  The reproduction head R-4 obtains the reproduction signal 4a of the first preamble of the track # 4 and the reproduction signal 4c of the first preamble of the track # 3 with substantially the same output.

  By the reproducing head R-5, the reproduction signal 5a of the first preamble of the track # 4 and the reproduction signal 5b of the first preamble of the track # 5 are obtained with substantially the same output.

  The reproduction head R-6 obtains the reproduction signal 6b of the first preamble of the track # 5 and the reproduction signal 6c of the first preamble of the track # 6 with substantially the same output.

  The reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233 adds the gain control pattern signals 1a and 1d reproduced from the track # 1 and the guard band # 1 by the reproduction head R-1.

  The reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233 adds the gain control pattern signals 2a and 2b reproduced from the track # 1 and the track # 2 by the reproduction head R-2.

  The reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233 adds the gain control pattern signals 3b and 3c reproduced from the track # 2 and the track # 3, respectively, by the reproduction head R-3.

  The reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233 adds gain control pattern signals 4a and 4c reproduced from the track # 4 and the track # 3, respectively, by the reproduction head R-4.

  The reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233 adds gain control pattern signals 5a and 5b reproduced from the track # 4 and the track # 5, respectively, by the reproduction head R-5.

  The reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233 adds gain control pattern signals 6b and 6c reproduced from the track # 5 and the track # 6, respectively, by the reproduction head R-6.

  In this embodiment, by providing the preamble including the gain control pattern in the guard band, even when the track offset as described above occurs, the added value of the reproduction signal of the gain control pattern of each reproduction head is A value corresponding to variations in the output characteristics of the head can be obtained.

  Here, assuming that the guard band # 1 is not provided with a preamble including a gain control pattern, as shown in FIG. 11, the position of the reproducing head is shifted upward in the figure, and one reproducing head is When a maximum of two tracks is reached, the addition result of the gain control pattern of the reproduction head R-1 is equivalent to half of the correct value, and at least a good gain is obtained for the reproduction signal of the reproduction head R-1. It becomes difficult to perform control. According to this embodiment, such a problem can be solved.

  Note that the addition of the gain control pattern signal is not limited to the above method, and another method may be used as long as the correlation between the reproduction signals is established.

  As another method for calculating the reference output, the reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233 has the largest calculation result of the reproduction signals of the reproduction heads R-1, R-2,..., R-6. It is also possible to select one and use it as a reference output for the reproduction signals of all the reproduction heads R-1, R-2,.

  The reference output can also be used in channel estimation calculation in the channel estimation calculation unit 234 and can also be used in the signal separation calculation unit 236.

  (About channel estimation calculation unit 234)

  The channel estimation calculation unit 234 identifies the head positions of the separation patterns 41-1, 41-2,..., 41-6 based on the synchronization pattern detected by the synchronization signal detection unit 231, and separates them. Reproduction signal for one unit whose level is controlled by the reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233 by performing channel estimation calculation based on the reproduction signals of the patterns 41-1, 41-2, ..., 41-6. A channel matrix necessary for separating the reproduction signal for each track is generated. At this time, the channel estimation calculation unit 234 can know the position where the head of the separation pattern of each track is based on the identification information of each track detected by the identification information detection unit 232. The reproduction signal of the separation pattern can be discriminated with high accuracy from the reproduction signal, and the channel estimation calculation can be performed with high accuracy.

  (Reproduction position control processing unit 235)

  The reproduction position control processing unit 235 receives the reproduction signal of each reproduction head whose level is controlled by the reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233, and reproduces the reproduction position based on the synchronization pattern detected by the synchronization signal detection unit 231. Processing for adjusting the reproduction positions of the reproduction signals of the reproduction heads R-1, R-2,..., R-6 that have passed through the signal gain control processing unit 233 is performed. As a result, even if the reproduction positions of the respective reproduction signals fetched from the respective reproduction heads do not coincide with each other in the track traveling direction, the reproduction positions of the respective reproduction signals can be aligned and input to the signal separation calculation unit 236. , Stable data reproduction can be performed.

  (About the signal separation calculation unit 236)

  The signal separation calculation unit 236 performs a predetermined signal separation calculation based on the channel matrix output from the channel estimation calculation unit 234, so that each reproducing head R-1, R-2,. The reproduction signal for each track is separated from the reproduction signal for one unit reproduced by the reproduction position control processing unit 235 with the reproduction position aligned.

  As a calculation method of signal separation processing by the signal separation calculation unit 236, for example, a method for obtaining a generalized inverse matrix for a channel matrix can be cited. A method for obtaining a generalized inverse matrix for this channel matrix is generally called a zero-forcing method. However, the method of signal separation processing is not limited to this, and for example, the MMSE (Minimum Mean Squared Error) method can also be used.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, by providing a preamble including a gain control pattern in the guard band, each gain control pattern reproduced simultaneously from the guard band and the track by one reproducing head during reproduction. Based on the reproduction signal, gain information is obtained for the reproduction signal for each reproduction head and the level of the reproduction signal is controlled, so that even if a track offset occurs, Gain control for the reproduction signal can be performed satisfactorily. As a result, the quality of the reproduction signal obtained by the separation calculation process can be improved.

  In the above embodiment, the identification pattern is added to the first preamble as a separate pattern for the gain control pattern and the synchronization pattern. However, a plurality of types of patterns are prepared for the synchronization pattern. By associating the identification information with each type of the synchronization pattern, the detection of the synchronization pattern and the acquisition of the identification information may be performed simultaneously. Further, the identification information may be obtained by the position of the pattern in the first preamble.

  Moreover, the amount of information for gain control may be increased by additionally arranging a gain control pattern arranged in the first preamble 23 behind the synchronization pattern.

  The same pattern may be adopted as the gain control pattern arranged in the first preamble 23 and the separation pattern arranged in the second preamble 24.

  Furthermore, at the time of recording, it is not possible to identify the track by an explicit method such as an identification pattern, but in the playback device, the unit is determined according to the position on the track of the unique pattern such as each synchronization pattern or separation pattern. The inner track and guard band may be identified.

  Also, the position in the track width direction at the time of reproduction between each reproduction head R-1, R-2,..., R-6 and a plurality of tracks # 1, # 2,. In the above embodiment, the separation patterns 44-1, 44-2,..., 44-6 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are used as patterns necessary for detecting the relationship. The invention is not limited to this. For example, tracking servo information or the like can be used. In this case, a summary of the positional relationship between each recording pattern of the tracking servo information and each reproducing head in units is generated as channel estimation information.

  Further, the channel estimation calculation may be performed using both the means for detecting the positional relationship using the separation pattern and the means for detecting the positional relationship using the tracking servo information.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case of calculating a channel matrix of 6 rows and 6 columns has been described, but it is possible to perform signal separation processing by obtaining a generalized inverse matrix of other square matrices. It is. Furthermore, a generalized inverse matrix may be obtained in the same manner for a matrix other than a square matrix.

  Note that the type of separation pattern needs to correspond to the number of tracks in order to obtain a generalized inverse matrix.

  In the above embodiment, the separation pattern orthogonal to the time axis is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a separation pattern orthogonal to the frequency axis or an orthogonal code is used. A separated pattern may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the magnetic recording / reproducing system has been described in which a signal is recorded on the magnetic recording medium without aligning the recording position for each track, and the signal is reproduced from the magnetic recording medium without aligning the reproducing position for each track. The present invention is not limited to this, for example, a magnetic recording / reproducing method for recording a signal without aligning the recording position for each track, and reproducing from the magnetic recording medium by aligning the reproducing position for each track. The same applies to the above. Further, the present invention can be similarly applied to a magnetic recording / reproducing system in which a signal is recorded with the recording position aligned for each track, and reproduction is performed from the magnetic recording medium without aligning the reproducing position for each track.

  (Second Embodiment)

  Next, a magnetic recording / reproducing system using a single head will be described as a second embodiment of the present invention.

  The magnetic recording / reproducing system of this embodiment has a recording head and a reproducing head whose number is less than the number of tracks per unit or a unit, and a recording medium on which recording is performed without aligning the recording position for each track. This is a method of reproducing without arranging the reproduction position every time.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of a recording apparatus 300 in the magnetic recording / reproducing system of the second embodiment.

  The recording apparatus 300 performs unit recording with a single head. Here, the predetermined number of times that the unit is recorded by one recording head is M, and the predetermined number of times that the unit is reproduced by one reproducing head is N.

  As shown in the figure, the recording apparatus 300 includes a multitrack unit 110, a multitrack recording encoding unit 120, a multitrack preamble adding unit 130, a multitrack recording unit 140, a recording head array 150, and a guard band recording unit. 190.

  The multi-track recording encoding unit 120 includes M recording encoding units 121-1, 121-2,..., 121-6 that encode the recording data allocated to M by the data distributor 111. Composed.

  The multitrack preamble adding unit 130 adds M preamble adding units 131-1, 131-2, 131-2, and 1312 that add a preamble necessary for data reproduction control to each recording data encoded by the multitrack recording encoding unit 120. .., 131-6 and a storage unit 132 for storing a code string of recording data to which a preamble for each track is added.

  The guard band recording unit 190 includes an erasing signal generating unit 161 that generates an erasing signal, and a code band of the erasing signal output from the erasing signal generating unit 161 for a guard band including a gain control pattern, a synchronization pattern, an identification pattern, The preamble adding unit 131-0 for adding the preamble and the storage unit 162 for storing the erasure signal to which the guard band preamble is added.

  The multitrack recording unit 140 includes a switching unit 149 that selects a recording code string to be read from the storage unit 132 and the storage unit 162, and one output timing setting unit that gives a desired timing to the recording code string selected by the switching unit 149. 141, one recording compensation unit 144 that performs recording compensation processing, and one recording amplifier that drives the recording head W-1 based on the recording code string after the recording compensation processing.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations during unit recording of the recording apparatus 300.

  In the recording apparatus 300, first, the process is branched depending on whether a recording code string for a track or a recording code string for a guard band is generated (step S301). If the process to be performed is generation of a recording code string for a track, the input recording data 1 is distributed to data of the number of tracks for one unit by the multitrack unit 110 (step S302).

  Each of the distributed data is encoded in consideration of the recording / reproduction characteristics of the magnetic recording medium 2 by the recording encoding units 121-1, 121-2, ..., 121-6 of the multi-track recording encoding unit 120, respectively. Encoded into a column. At this time, information necessary for data demodulation such as a synchronization pattern for demodulation is also added to the code string (step S303).

  Next, the preamble adding units 131-1, 131-2,..., 131-6 of the multi-track preamble adding unit 130 control data reproduction at predetermined positions of the encoded recording data. A necessary preamble pattern is added to obtain a recording code string for a track (step S304). The track recording code string generated in this way is stored in the storage unit 132 (step S305).

  If the process to be performed is generation of a guard band recording code string, an erasure signal for a predetermined unit is generated from the erasure signal generation unit 161 of the guard band recording unit 190 (step S306), and the preamble addition unit 131. As a result of −0, a guard band preamble including a gain control pattern, a synchronization pattern, and an identification pattern is added to the erasure signal (step S307) and stored in the storage unit 162 as a guard band recording code string ( Step S308).

  Thereafter, one recording code string in a predetermined order from the track recording code string for each track stored in the storage unit 132 and the guard band recording code string stored in the storage unit 162 by the switching unit 149. Is read (step S309). Next, after a desired timing is given by the output timing setting unit 141 to the read track recording code sequence or guard band recording code sequence (step S310), the recording compensation unit 144 A recording compensation process for optimizing the recording on the magnetic recording medium 2 is performed. The recording amplifier 147 converts the voltage into a current, and the recording head W-1 records the magnetic recording medium 2 (step S311). ).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the recording of the track and guard band for one unit has been completed (step S312). If the recording has not been completed (NO in step S312), the recording head W-1 is moved to the next position. (Step S313). Next, the process returns to step S309, and the recording code string for the track or the recording code string for the guard band is read from the storage unit 132 or the storage unit 162, and similarly the process of recording on the magnetic recording medium 2 is repeated. The above operation is repeated until recording of a track for one unit is completed.

  For example, when the track format shown in FIG. 7 is used, the guard band # 1 is recorded first, then moved to the position of the track # 1 and the track # 1 is recorded. Move to the position of track # 2,..., # 6 and record the track. The guard band # 2 is recorded in the recording cycle of the next unit.

  Next, a reproducing apparatus in the magnetic recording / reproducing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of a reproducing apparatus 400 in the magnetic recording / reproducing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the reproducing apparatus 400 includes a reproducing head array 210, a channel reproducing unit 220, a signal separation processing unit 230, a multitrack demodulation unit 240, and a restoration unit 260.

  The reproducing head array 210 has one reproducing head R-1 that reads a signal from each track recorded on the magnetic recording medium 2.

  The channel reproducing unit 220 amplifies the signal reproduced by the reproducing head R-1 mounted on the reproducing head array 210, and the amplitude level of the output of the reproducing amplifier 221 becomes a predetermined value. And a gain adjuster 224 for controlling the gain, and an A / D converter 225 for quantizing the output of the gain adjuster 224 into a digital value having a predetermined bit width.

  The signal separation processing unit 230 includes a synchronization signal detection unit 231, an identification information detection unit 232, a reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233, a channel estimation calculation unit 234, a reproduction position control processing unit 235, a signal separation calculation unit 236, and a storage unit. 237.

  The synchronization signal detection unit 231 detects a synchronization pattern in the preamble from the reproduction signal of the reproduction head R-1 output from the A / D converter 225.

  The identification information detection unit 232 uses the information obtained by the synchronization signal detection unit 231 to identify and detect the leading position of the identification pattern in the reproduction signal of the reproduction head R-1, and outputs the identification information.

  The reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233 detects the gain control pattern in the preamble from the reproduction signal of the reproduction head R-1 for each scan from the storage unit 237, and reproduces for each scan based on the gain control pattern. The gain for the reproduction signal of the head R-1 is calculated to control the level of the reproduction signal of the reproduction head R-1 for each scan.

  The channel estimation calculation unit 234 uses the synchronization signal detected by the synchronization signal detection unit 231 to identify the start position of the separation pattern included in the preamble of the reproduction signal of the reproduction head R-1 for each scan. Using the separation pattern, channel estimation calculation is performed to calculate a channel matrix corresponding to the positional relationship in the track width direction during reproduction between the reproduction head R-1 and a plurality of tracks for each scan.

  The reproduction position control processing unit 235 matches the reproduction position of the reproduction signal of the reproduction head R-1 for each scan that has passed through the reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233 based on the information obtained by the synchronization signal detection unit 231. I do.

  The signal separation calculation unit 236 calculates an inverse matrix of the channel matrix obtained by the channel estimation calculation unit 234, and based on this inverse matrix, the reproduction signal for one unit input from the reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233 The process of separating the reproduction signal for each track from the track.

  The signal separation processing unit 230 has a storage unit (not shown) that stores information necessary for processing. The signal separation processing unit 230 performs processing by storing information for a predetermined unit including a preamble and data, for example, in the storage unit.

  The storage unit 237 is disposed behind the synchronization signal detector 231 and stores a reproduction signal for at least one unit.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the multi-track demodulation unit 240 performs M equalizers 241-1 and 241− that perform equalization processing on the reproduction signal for each track separated by the signal separation operation unit 236. , 241-6 and M PLLs 242-1, 242-2,... That perform bit synchronization from the outputs of the equalizers 241-1, 241-2,. , 242-6 and bit synchronization signals generated by PLLs 242-1, 242-2,..., 242-6, and binarizing the reproduction signal for each track to generate a code string, for example, Viterbi detection , 243-6 and the detection units 243-1, 243-2, ..., 243-6 are binarized. M synchronization signal detection units for detecting a synchronization signal on a code string from a reproduction signal 44-1, 244-2,..., 244-6, and the sync position detected by the sync signal detectors 244-1, 244-2,. And M decoders 245-1, 245-2,..., 245-6 for decoding the data string from the code string. Note that the multitrack demodulation unit 240 has a storage unit (not shown) that stores information such as data necessary for performing the above processing.

  Returning to FIG. 14, the restoration unit 260 records the data of each track output from the M decoders 245-1, 245-2,. The data combiner 261 is connected to restore the reproduction data 3 by the reverse operation.

  Note that the track tracing during reproduction by the single head is repeated at least as many times as the number of recording tracks of one unit. That is, the tracing may be repeated more times than the number of tracks. At that time, all tracks for one unit are traced at least once. The storage unit 237 stores a signal for a unit reproduced at each position where the reproducing head R-1 has moved, that is, a signal reproduced by the reproducing head R-1 from a plurality of tracks at each position.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the unit playback operation of the playback apparatus 400.

  In the reproducing apparatus 400, first, signals are reproduced from a plurality of tracks at the initial position by the reproducing head R-1 (step S401). Next, after the amplitude level of the output of the reproduction amplifier 221 is adjusted by the gain adjustment unit 224, the output is converted into a digital value by the A / D converter 225 and output to the synchronization signal detection unit 231 ( Step S402).

  Next, after the synchronization signal detection unit 231 detects the synchronization pattern included in the reproduction signal output from the A / D converter 225 (step S403), the identification information detection unit 232 performs the synchronization signal detection unit. Using the synchronization pattern detected by H.231, the head position of the identification pattern in the reproduction signal of the reproduction head R-1 is specified to obtain identification information (step S404). The reproduction signal that has passed through the identification information detection unit 232 is stored in the storage unit 237 (step S405).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the reproduction signal for one unit is stored in the storage unit 237 (step S406). If the reproduction signal for one unit is not yet stored in the storage unit 237, the reproduction head R- 1 is shifted to the next position in the track width direction (step 407), and the operations from step S401 to step S405 are repeated.

  When the reproduction signal for one unit is stored in the storage unit 237, the reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233, based on the reproduction signal of the gain control pattern in the preamble for one unit stored in the storage unit 237, The gain for the reproduction signal of the reproduction head R-1 for each scan is calculated, and the level of the reproduction signal of the reproduction head R-1 for each scan is controlled (step S408).

  Next, based on the synchronization pattern detected by the synchronization signal detection unit 231 and the identification information obtained by the identification information detection unit 232 in the channel estimation calculation unit 234, the reproduction signal of the reproduction head R-1 for each scan A channel corresponding to the positional relationship in the track width direction at the time of reproduction between the reproduction head R-1 and a plurality of tracks for each scan is specified using the separation patterns. A matrix is calculated (step S409).

  Next, the reproduction position control processing unit 235 passes through the reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233 based on the synchronization pattern detected by the synchronization signal detection unit 231 and the identification information obtained by the identification information detection unit 232. A process of matching the reproduction position of the reproduction signal of the reproduction head R-1 for each scan is performed (step S410).

  Next, the signal separation calculation unit 236 calculates an inverse matrix of the channel matrix obtained by the channel estimation calculation unit 234, and uses this inverse matrix for one unit output from the reproduction signal gain control processing unit 233. The process of separating the reproduction signal for each track from the reproduction signal is performed (step S411).

  After this, the multi-track demodulator 240 decodes the data sequence from the reproduction signal separated for each track (step S412), and the reconstruction unit 260 concatenates the data for each track to obtain reproduction data 3. (Step S413).

  Note that a low-pass filter that removes unnecessary high-frequency components may be provided immediately before the A / D converter 225 as necessary. Further, the gain adjusting unit 224 may be connected to the subsequent stage of the A / D converter 225 to control the gain after quantization. This is effective when it is desired to use the bit width of the A / D converter 225 more effectively, or to make the configuration of the gain adjustment unit 224 simple in consideration of the detection of each pattern included in the preampule. Alternatively, the gain adjustment unit 224 may perform gain adjustment using information obtained by taking an error from the target gain value in the synchronization signal detection unit 231.

  Further, if the multitrack demodulator 240 performs the demodulation process while controlling the output timing for each track, the data concatenation process in the restoration unit 260 becomes unnecessary. Therefore, in this case, the restoration unit 260 is not necessary.

  The present invention is not limited to the linear recording system and non-azimuth recording system magnetic recording / reproduction described above, but can also be applied to a helical recording system and an azimuth recording system.

  Specific examples are shown below.

  FIG. 16 shows recording on the magnetic recording medium 2 by a non-azimuth method and a helical scan method using a plurality of recording heads W-1, W-2, W-3 integrated as a recording head array 150, for example. It is a conceptual diagram of the track format used. Also in the helical scan method, a guard band 52 is disposed between unit-configured track rows 53 composed of track # 1, track # 2, and track # 3.

  The preamble 21 recorded on the track # 1, the track # 2, and the track # 3 may be the same as those shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, for example. The present invention can also be applied to such a helical scan magnetic recording / reproducing method, and the configurations of the recording device 100 and the reproducing device 200 in the magnetic recording / reproducing method of the first embodiment can be employed.

  FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram of a track format recorded on a recording medium by a double azimuth method and a helical scan method using a plurality of recording heads W-1, W-2,..., W-6. In helical scan magnetic recording, a plurality of heads are independently mounted on a rotating drum. For example, a plurality of recording heads and a reproducing head are alternately arranged on a rotating drum.

  In this example, six recording heads W-1, W-2,..., W-6 are used for recording and reproduction, respectively. Of these recording heads, the three consecutive recording heads W-1, W-2, and W-3 and the remaining three consecutive recording heads W-4, W-5, and W-6 are mutually connected to each other. The azimuth direction, which is the magnetization direction, is made different. That is, track # 1- # 3 and track # 4- # 6 have different azimuth directions. These tracks # 1 to # 6 form a unit configuration track row 53 including a plurality of units as a unit of processing for reproducing data. In the case of this double azimuth, no guard band is required.

  In this example, the group of tracks # 1 to # 6 is a unit of signal processing for data reproduction. However, three consecutive tracks (for example, track # 1 to # 1) having the same azimuth direction are used. Signal processing may be performed for each of # 3 and tracks # 4- # 6) as one unit.

  The preamble recorded in each track # 1- # 6 may be the same as that shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, for example. The present invention can also be applied to such a magnetic recording / reproducing system of the double azimuth method and the helical scan method, and the configuration of the recording apparatus 100 and the reproducing apparatus 200 in the magnetic recording / reproducing system of the first embodiment is adopted. be able to.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the configuration shown in the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the technical scope described in the claims.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the recording device in the magnetic recording / reproducing system of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart showing the unit and guard band recording operation by the recording apparatus of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the structure of the reproducing | regenerating apparatus in the magnetic recording / reproducing system of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a multitrack demodulator in the playback device of FIG. 3. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of unit playback by the playback device of FIG. 3. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a track format on a magnetic recording medium on which recording is performed by the recording apparatus of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the detail of the track format of FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification of the track format of FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram modeling the configuration of the track format shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a reproduction signal of the recording data in FIG. 9 when there is no track offset. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a reproduction signal of the recording data in FIG. 9 when a track offset occurs. It is a figure which shows the structure of the recording device in the magnetic recording / reproducing system of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 13 is a flowchart showing a unit and guard band recording operation by the recording apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the reproducing | regenerating apparatus in the magnetic recording / reproducing system which is the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a unit playback operation of the playback apparatus of FIG. 14. FIG. It is a conceptual diagram of a track format recorded on a magnetic recording medium by a non-azimuth method and a helical scan method using a plurality of recording heads. It is a conceptual diagram of a track format recorded on a recording medium by a double azimuth method and a helical scan method using a plurality of recording heads. It is a figure which shows the structure of the recording apparatus which employ | adopted the magnetic recording and reproducing system which the present inventors proposed in the past. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of unit recording by the recording device of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the reproducing | regenerating apparatus which employ | adopted the magnetic recording / reproducing system which the present inventors proposed in the past. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a unit playback operation flow of the playback apparatus of FIG. 20. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording data 2 Magnetic recording medium 3 Reproduction | regeneration data 21 Preamble 22 Data 23 1st preamble 24 2nd preamble 41-0, 41-1, ..., 41-7 Gain control pattern 42-0, 42-1, ..., 42-7 Synchronization pattern 43-0, 43-1, ..., 43-7 Identification pattern 44-1, 44-2, ..., 44-6 Separation pattern 51 Unit 52 Guard band 100 Recording Device 110 Multitracking section 111 Data distributor 120 Multitrack recording encoding section 121-1, 121-2, ..., 121-6 Recording encoding section 130 Multitrack preamble adding sections 131-1, 131-2, , 131-6 Preamble adding unit 140 Multitrack recording units 141-1, 141-2,. , 144-6 Recording compensation units 147-1, 147-2,..., 147-6 Recording amplifier 150 Recording head array 160 Guard band recording unit 161 Erasing Signal generating unit 131-0 Preamble adding unit 141-0 Output timing setting unit 144-0 Recording compensation unit 147-0 Recording amplifier 200 Reproducing device 210 Reproducing head array 220 Channel reproducing units 221-1, 221-2, ..., 221-6 reproduction amplifiers 224-1, 224-2,..., 224-6 gain adjustment units 225-1, 225-2,. Detection unit 232 Identification information detection unit 233 Playback signal gain control processing unit 234 Channel estimation calculation unit 235 Playback position control processing unit 23 Signal separation calculation unit 240 Multitrack demodulation unit 260 Restoration unit 261 Data combiner W-0 Guard band recording recording heads W-1, W-2,..., W-6 Recording heads R-1, R-2 , ..., R-6 Playback head

Claims (15)

It has a plurality of tracks constituting a unit which is a unit of signal processing for data reproduction, and tracks as guard bands are arranged on both sides of the unit in the width direction of the track, An apparatus for reproducing the data from a recording medium on which a preamble necessary for data reproduction is recorded, including a gain control pattern for gain control,
A playback head capable of playing back signals across multiple tracks;
A reproduction signal gain control processing unit that obtains gain information for the reproduction signal for each reproduction head based on the reproduction signal of the gain control pattern for each reproduction head, and controls the level of the reproduction signal; A reproducing apparatus characterized by the above. The playback apparatus according to claim 1,
A plurality of the reproducing heads are provided so that signals can be reproduced in different positional relations with respect to the respective tracks, and at least one reproducing head of the plurality of reproducing heads is provided for the plurality of tracks constituting the unit. A reproducing apparatus for simultaneously reproducing the gain control pattern of a part of tracks and the gain control pattern of a track as the guard band. The playback apparatus according to claim 1,
The reproduction signal gain control processing unit obtains gain information for the reproduction signal for each reproduction head by performing a predetermined calculation including addition to the reproduction signal of the gain control pattern for each reproduction head. Playback device. The playback apparatus according to claim 1,
The preamble of each track constituting the unit has a separation pattern necessary for detecting the positional relationship in the track width direction during reproduction between the reproduction head and the plurality of tracks,
Based on the reproduction signal of the separation pattern for each unit, a channel estimation calculation unit that calculates a channel matrix corresponding to the positional relationship in the track width direction during reproduction between the reproduction head and the plurality of tracks;
Based on the channel matrix obtained by the channel estimation calculation unit, from the reproduction signal for one unit reproduced by the reproduction head and whose level is controlled by the reproduction signal gain control processing unit, A reproduction apparatus further comprising: a signal separation calculation unit that separates the reproduction signal. The playback apparatus according to claim 1,
The reproducing head is provided so as to be movable in the track width direction so that the unit can be scanned and reproduced in different positional relations with respect to the tracks in the unit. A reproducing apparatus for simultaneously reproducing the gain control pattern of a part of the plurality of tracks constituting the unit and the gain control pattern of a track as the guard band. A plurality of tracks constituting a unit which is a unit of signal processing for data reproduction, and tracks as guard bands not having the data are arranged on both sides of the unit in the width direction of the track, Each of the tracks includes a gain control pattern for gain control, and reproduces the data from a recording medium on which a preamble necessary for data reproduction is recorded,
A reproduction head capable of reproducing a signal across a plurality of tracks is provided, gain information on the reproduction signal for each reproduction head is obtained based on the reproduction signal of the preamble for each reproduction head, and the reproduction signal is obtained. And a step of controlling the level of the reproduction method. The reproduction method according to claim 6, wherein
A plurality of the reproducing heads are provided so that signals can be reproduced in different positional relations with respect to the respective tracks, and at least one reproducing head of the plurality of reproducing heads is provided for the plurality of tracks constituting the unit. A reproduction method characterized by simultaneously reproducing the gain control pattern of a part of the tracks and the gain control pattern of the track as the guard band. The playback method according to claim 7, wherein
A reproduction method characterized in that gain information for the reproduction signal for each reproduction head is obtained by a predetermined calculation including addition to the reproduction signal of the gain control pattern for each reproduction head. The reproduction method according to claim 6, wherein
The preamble of each track constituting the unit has a separation pattern necessary for detecting the positional relationship in the track width direction during reproduction between the reproduction head and the plurality of tracks,
Calculating a channel matrix corresponding to the positional relationship in the track width direction during reproduction between the reproduction head and the plurality of tracks, based on the reproduction signal of the separation pattern for each unit;
Separating the reproduction signal for each track from one unit of reproduction signal reproduced by the reproduction head and controlled in level by the reproduction signal gain control processing unit based on the channel matrix. A reproduction method comprising: The reproduction method according to claim 6, wherein
The reproducing head is provided so as to be movable in the track width direction so that the unit can be scanned and reproduced in different positional relations with respect to the tracks in the unit. A playback method comprising: simultaneously playing back the gain control pattern of a part of the plurality of tracks constituting the unit and the gain control pattern of a track as the guard band. A reproduction apparatus having a reproduction head capable of reproducing signals across a plurality of tracks, and a unit of signal processing for data reproduction by a recording head on a recording medium so that data reproduction can be performed by the reproduction apparatus A recording / reproducing apparatus having a recording apparatus for recording a plurality of tracks constituting a unit,
The recording device comprises:
Comprising a guard band recording section for recording a track as a guard band on both sides of the track in the width direction of the unit;
The playback device
A reproduction signal gain control processing unit that obtains gain information for the reproduction signal for each reproduction head based on the reproduction signal of the preamble for each reproduction head and controls the level of the reproduction signal is provided. Recording / playback device.   It has a plurality of tracks constituting a unit which is a unit of signal processing for data reproduction, and a track as a guard band is arranged on both sides of the unit in the width direction of the track. A track format characterized in that a preamble necessary for data reproduction including a gain control pattern for gain control is arranged. The track format according to claim 12, wherein
The preamble of each track constituting the unit further includes a separation pattern necessary for detecting a positional relationship in the track width direction during reproduction between the reproduction head and the plurality of tracks. .   It has a plurality of tracks constituting a unit which is a unit of signal processing for data reproduction, and a track as a guard band is arranged on both sides of the unit in the width direction of the track. A recording medium on which a preamble necessary for data reproduction is recorded, including a gain control pattern for gain control. The recording medium according to claim 14,
The preamble of each track constituting the unit further includes a separation pattern necessary for detecting a positional relationship in the track width direction during reproduction between the reproduction head and the plurality of tracks. .

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