DROP-OUTS IN MAGNETIC TAPE SYSTEMS
Abstract
Drop-out data from 185 reels of magnetic instrumentation tape representing 38 types from four manufacturers are presented in statistical form. In the process of collecting the data, tests were performed which allowed several general conclusions to be drawn as to the relative importance of several factors in causing drop-outs. It was found that self-dirt is one of the major factors causing high drop-out counts. While environmental dirt in a normal laboratory atmosphere is not an important factor, in field operation it could become important. Drop-out differences when tape is run on different machines are due mainly to difference in head-to-tape contact. There is very little difference in the number of drop-outs from a given tape whether the signal is recorded in a normal biased analog manner or whether recorded as a saturated unbiased digital type signal. Reel effects on short drop-outs (those representing less than 2 inches of tape) are relatively minor. It is recommended that further studies be made on the effects of hundreds of passes, various types of head surfaces, various tape cleaning methods, and on other factors causing drop-outs. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 07, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0262671
Entities
People
- R.h. Carson
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory