JP2003196898A - Magnetic recording and reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a helical scan type magnetic recording and reproducing device which has pilot signal recording heads fitted on a rotary drum precedently to a recording head couple. <P>SOLUTION: The pilot signal recording heads H4A and H4B for recording a pilot signal (p) for tracking on a magnetic tape 4 are fitted on the rotary drum 22 precedently to the recording head couples (H2A, H2B) and (H2C, H2D) equipped with a plurality of recording heads which record so that adjacent recording tracks mutually have reverse azimuth angles and reproducing head couples (H3A, H3B) and (H3C, H3D) equipped with a plurality of reproducing heads having azimuth angles corresponding to those of the recording heads are fitted on the rotary drum 22. The magnetic recording and reproducing device 10B intermittently records a pilot signal (p) set to one frequency F1 on both tracks adjacent to a track that a reproducing head with an azimuth angle -β° scans by a pilot signal recording head with an azimuth angle -β°. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a helical scan type magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus in which a pilot signal recording head is mounted on a rotary drum prior to a recording head pair.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the advent of the age of digital multimedia, attention has been paid to a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus of a helical scan system capable of recording / reproducing a large-capacity digital information signal on a magnetic tape for a long time.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a general helical scan type magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 1, in a general helical scan type magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 10A, a tape cassette 1 is placed on the front side of a chassis base 11.
A magnetic tape 4 is stretched between a supply reel 2 and a take-up reel 3 housed in the tape cassette 1. The magnetic tape 4 ejected from the supply reel 2 in the tape cassette 1 has a tension pole 12 which moves in the direction of the arrow, a tape guide roller 13 and an inclined pole 14 on the supply side, an inclined pole 15 on the winding side, and It is pulled out to the rotary magnetic head portion 20A side by the tape guide roller 16.

Here, the rotary magnetic head portion 20A provided at the back of the chassis base 11 is the chassis base 1
1 and a fixed drum 21 having a lead portion 21a1 on the outer peripheral surface 21a for guiding the magnetic tape 4 in a spiral shape over a predetermined angle (approximately 180 °), and a plurality of magnetic heads H on the outer peripheral surface 22a. Fixed along the fixed drum 21
And a rotary drum 22 that rotates in the direction of arrow D about a drum shaft 23 with a slight gap above the above.

The magnetic tape 4 pulled out from the tape cassette 1 has a predetermined angle (approximately 18) between the outer peripheral surface 21a of the fixed drum 21 and the outer peripheral surface 22a of the rotating drum 22.
0 °) is wound in a spiral shape, and the rotary drum 22
Digital information signals are recorded and / or reproduced by a plurality of magnetic heads H that rotate integrally with the magnetic head 4. After that, the magnetic tape 4 is nipped and run between the pinch roller 17 and the capstan 18, and wound on the take-up reel 3. Has been.

Here, when the recording density is increased on the magnetic tape 4 to record a large-capacity digital information signal, the pitch of recording tracks to be recorded on the magnetic tape 4 becomes narrower and narrower. Has been. For this,
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 03-44852 discloses a tracking control system of a reproducing head in a video tape recorder for recording / reproducing multi-channel signals, an audio tape recorder, or the like.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the arrangement of a plurality of magnetic heads attached to a rotary drum in the conventional tracking control system, and FIG. 3 shows a recording pattern on a magnetic tape in the conventional tracking control system. It is a figure.

Here, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 03-44852.
The conventional tracking control method disclosed in the publication will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 with reference to the publication.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the conventional tracking control system, a pilot signal recording head H1A for recording a pilot signal in the deep portion of the magnetic tape 4 is used.
H1B, recording heads H2A to H2D for recording digital data on the surface layer of the magnetic tape 4, and reproducing heads H3A to H3D for reproducing pilot signals and digital data are provided on the bottom surface 22b of the rotary drum 22.
It is attached along the outer circumference of the (FIG. 1) side.

First, on the rotary drum 22, a pilot signal recording head H1A and a pilot signal recording head H1B.
And are installed symmetrically around the drum shaft 23.
The pilot signal recording head H1A described above includes recording head pairs H2A and H2 in the rotation direction D of the rotary drum 22.
The pilot signal recording head H1B is attached slightly ahead of B, and the pilot signal recording head H1B also has a recording head pair H2C, H.
It is installed slightly ahead of 2D. The track widths of the pilot signal recording heads H1A and H1B are set to two tracks of the recording track, and the pilot signal recording heads H1A and H1H
The azimuth angle of 1B is a recording head pair (H2A, H2B), (H2C, H2D) having an azimuth angle of ± β °, and a reproducing head pair (H3A, H) having an azimuth angle of ± β °.
3B) and (H3C, H3D) are set to an intermediate 0 °.

Next, the above-mentioned recording heads H2A to H2D
Is a recording head pair including a recording head H2A having an azimuth angle of −β ° and a recording head H2B having an azimuth angle of + β °;
Recording head H2C with azimuth angle −β ° and azimuth angle +
A recording head pair having a recording head H2D of β ° is attached symmetrically around the drum shaft 23. Therefore, the recording head pair (H2A, H2B), (H2
When digital data is recorded on the magnetic tape 4 by C, H2D), adjacent recording tracks have mutually opposite azimuth angles.

Next, the above-mentioned reproducing heads H3A to H3D
Is the recording head H with respect to the rotation direction D of the rotary drum 22.
2A to H2D, and a reproducing head pair which is mounted approximately 90 ° behind and has a reproducing head H3A having an azimuth angle of −β ° and a reproducing head H3B having an azimuth angle of + β °, and reproducing at an azimuth angle of −β °. A head H3C and a reproducing head pair including a reproducing head H3D having an azimuth angle of + β ° are mounted symmetrically about the drum shaft 23.

As shown in FIG. 3, pilot signal recording heads H1A and H1B are used to generate pilot signals f1 to f4 of four different frequencies sequentially output from a pilot signal generation circuit (not shown). Two tracks are repeatedly recorded on the magnetic tape 4 in the above order.

After this, a pair of recording heads (H2A, H2) is placed on each track on which the pilot signals f1 to f4 are recorded.
B), (H2C, H2D), the digital data is overwritten on the two tracks substantially simultaneously at the azimuth angle of ± β °, the pilot signals f1 to f4 remain in the deep portion of the magnetic tape 4, and the digital data Is recorded on the surface layer of the magnetic tape 4.

Further, the digital data recorded on the magnetic tape 4 are reproduced head pairs (H3A, H3B), (H3).
(C, H3D), when two tracks are reproduced substantially at the same time, the output of each reproducing head of each reproducing head pair contains a crosstalk component from a pilot signal recorded in an adjacent track, and therefore each reproducing head produces The crosstalk component of the pilot signal is detected by each crosstalk detection circuit (not shown), and then the tracking error generation circuit (not shown) calculates the difference in each crosstalk amount from each crosstalk detection circuit. Get the tracking error signal.
Then, with this tracking error signal, the capstan 1
Tracking control of the reproducing head pairs (H3A, H3B) and (H3C, H3D) is performed by running the magnetic tape 4 so as to eliminate the difference in crosstalk amount by controlling the rotation of 8 (FIG. 1).

[0017]

By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional tracking control system, at the time of reproducing on the magnetic tape 4, each reproducing head pair (H3A, H3B), (H3C, H).
Although the tracking error signal can be obtained by detecting the crosstalk component of each pilot signal in 3D), four types of pilot signals f1 to f4 having different frequencies are obtained.
Must be generated, the circuit configuration inside the pilot signal generation circuit (not shown) becomes complicated, and the frequencies of the pilot signals f1 to f4 are sequentially increased. It becomes difficult to record a high pilot signal in the deep layer portion of the magnetic tape 4, which causes a problem that the reproduction efficiency of the high frequency pilot signal is lowered.

Further, since the influence of the pilot signals f1 to f4 on the reproduction data cannot be made zero, the error rate is apt to deteriorate, and the reproduction efficiency of the pilot signals f1 to f4 recorded in the deep portion of the magnetic tape 4 is poor. Therefore, it is necessary to record the pilot signals f1 to f4 at a higher level, and there is a concern that the error rate may be affected. Further, it is possible to realize with a thin magnetic tape or the like having a magnetic layer on which the recording level of the deep recording is likely to decrease. difficult.

On the other hand, in order to narrow the track on the magnetic tape 4, further improvement is required to further improve the error rate of the reproduced data, and a new tracking control system is desired.

[0020]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a first invention is to provide pilot signal recording heads for recording a pilot signal for tracking on a magnetic tape with each other. A reproducing head pair mounted on the rotating drum in advance of a recording head pair having a plurality of recording heads having reverse azimuth angles, and having a plurality of reproducing heads having a plurality of reproducing heads having azimuth angles corresponding to the recording head pairs. After mounting on the rotating drum and recording the pilot signal in the deep layer portion of the magnetic tape by the pilot signal recording head, each information signal corresponding to the number of heads by the recording head pair is formed on the surface layer portion of the magnetic tape. At the same time, the recorded information signals are simultaneously reproduced by the reproducing head pair and the pilot signals are recorded. In the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus configured to perform tracking control to the reproducing head pair with reference to the signal, the track width of the pilot signal recording head is set to about 1 track, and the pilot signal recording head The azimuth angle is set to the same angle as the azimuth angle of the reproducing head preset for tracking in the reproducing head pair, and the pilot signal having one frequency generated by the pilot signal generating means is applied to the pilot signal recording head. Then, in intermittently recording the pilot signal on each track on both sides adjacent to the track scanned by the reproducing head having the same azimuth angle as that of the pilot signal recording head at predetermined intervals, When recording pilot signals on each track intermittently The predetermined interval is divided into n (where n is a natural number of 2 or more), and the track on the other side with respect to the pilot signal to be recorded on the track on one side adjacent to the track scanned by the reproducing head is recorded. The phase of the pilot signal to be recorded is m / n
(However, m is a natural number smaller than n) and recording is performed by repeating this recording, and the pilot signal is intermittently supplied from each track on both sides of the track which is preset by the reproducing head for scanning. And a sampling means for sampling the pilot signal during reproduction.

In the second invention, the pilot signal recording head for recording the tracking pilot signal on the magnetic tape precedes the recording head pair having a plurality of recording heads having mutually opposite azimuth angles. And a reproducing head pair having a plurality of reproducing heads having an azimuth angle corresponding to the recording head pair is mounted on the rotating drum, and the pilot signal is recorded by the pilot signal recording head. After recording on the deep layer of the magnetic tape, each information signal corresponding to the number of heads is recorded on the surface layer of the magnetic tape by the pair of recording heads substantially at the same time, and the recorded information signals are further recorded on the pair of reproducing heads. To reproduce at substantially the same time and perform tracking control to the reproducing head pair with reference to the pilot signal. In the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus configured as described above, the track width of the pilot signal recording head is set to approximately one track, and the azimuth angle of the pilot signal recording head is preset for tracking in the reproducing head pair. The same angle as the azimuth angle of the reproducing head is set, and the pilot signal of one frequency generated by the pilot signal generating means is applied to the pilot signal recording head, and this pilot signal is applied to the azimuth angle of the pilot signal recording head. When intermittently recording on each track on both sides adjacent to the track scanned by the reproducing head having the same azimuth angle at a predetermined interval, the pilot signal is intermittently recorded on each track. N within a given interval
(However, n is a natural number of 2 or more) and the phase of the pilot signal recorded on the track on the other side with respect to the pilot signal recorded on the track on one side adjacent to the track scanned by the reproducing head Is shifted by m / n (where m is a natural number smaller than n) and is recorded repeatedly, and a synchronization signal generation means for generating a synchronization signal for synchronizing with the pilot signal. A recording signal processing means for supplying a recording data signal for recording on the magnetic tape; an adding means for adding the synchronizing signal and the recording data signal; and the synchronizing signal and the recording which are added by the adding means. The data signal and the magnetic tape by the recording head having the same azimuth angle as the reproducing head preset for tracking. The second recording means for recording on the surface layer portion, the synchronization signal detecting means for detecting the synchronization signal from the signal reproduced by the reproduction head preset for tracking, and the reproduction head preset for tracking are scanned. When intermittently reproducing the pilot signal from each track on both sides of the track,
A magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: a sampling signal generating means for generating a sampling signal for sampling the pilot signal in synchronization with the synchronizing signal output from the synchronizing signal detecting means.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4 to 16.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the arrangement of a plurality of magnetic heads attached to the rotary drum in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a plurality of magnetic heads attached to the rotary drum shown in FIG. Is a diagram schematically showing the height on the recording track of FIG. 6, FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a head actuator equipped with the reproducing head pair shown in FIG. 4, and (a) is a piezoelectric bimorph as a head actuator. Is a sectional view showing a case where a voice coil motor is used as a head actuator.

For convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals will be given to the same constituent members as those shown in the prior art, and the constituent members different from those of the prior art will be designated by the new reference numerals. In addition, in this embodiment, the points different from the conventional example will be mainly described.

The magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 10B (FIG. 1) according to the present invention has a rotary magnetic head portion provided in the general helical scan type magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 10A (FIG. 1) described above in the prior art. In place of 20A, a rotary magnetic head unit 20B (FIG. 1) having a new structure is applied, and the rotary magnetic head unit 20B has a bottom surface 22 of a rotary drum 22.
The plurality of magnetic heads H attached to the b side are partially different from the conventional example. Then, the above-mentioned rotary magnetic head unit 20B
Is the signal processing unit 40A of the first and second embodiments described later.
(FIG. 7) and 40B (FIG. 16).

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, in the present invention, among the plurality of magnetic heads H attached to the rotary drum 22, instead of the pilot signal recording heads H1A and H1B described above with reference to FIG. , Pilot signal recording heads H4A and H4B are attached.

The pilot signal recording head H4A described above
And the pilot signal recording head H4B,
The pilot signal recording heads H4A are mounted symmetrically on the rotating drum 22 about the drum shaft 23, and the pilot signal recording head H4A has a recording head pair H2A, with respect to the rotation direction D of the rotating drum 22.
The pilot signal recording head H4B is mounted slightly ahead of H2B, and the pilot signal recording head H4B is also a recording head pair H2C, H2.
It is installed slightly ahead of D.

Here, the point different from the conventional one is that the track width Tw of the pilot signal recording heads H4A and H4B is approximately 1 of the recording track as shown in FIGS. 5, 8, 11, 13, and 14, respectively. The pilot signal recording heads H4A and H4B have both azimuth angles set to −β °, and the pilot signal recording heads H4A and H4B are used to set the depth of the magnetic tape 4 (FIG. 1). The pilot signal is recorded in.

On the other hand, recording head pairs (H2A, H2B), (H2C, H2D) having an azimuth angle of ± β °, and ±
A pair of reproducing heads having an azimuth angle of β ° (H3A, H3
B) and (H3C, H3D) are mounted on the rotary drum 22 in the same arrangement as the conventional one.

The recording head pair (H2A, H2
B) and (H2C, H2D) are provided on the surface layer portion of the magnetic tape 4 with an azimuth angle of ± β ° so that adjacent recording tracks have mutually opposite azimuth angles so that the respective digital information signals corresponding to the respective head numbers are provided. Two tracks are recorded almost simultaneously. On the other hand, the reproducing head pair (H3A, H3B), (H
3C, H3D), two recorded tracks are reproduced almost simultaneously. At this time, the recording head pair (H2
A, H2B), (H2C, H2D) and reproducing head pairs (H3A, H3B), (H3C, H3D) are arranged such that adjacent heads of each head pair correspond to one track on the recording track, as shown in FIG. They are mounted on the rotating drum 22 at different heights.

Here, as shown in FIG. 5, in the case of two-track recording / reproducing, the pilot signal recording heads H4A and H4B having an azimuth angle of -β ° have a track width Tw of approximately one track, so that the pilot Signal recording head H
4A and H4B do not scan on the recording tracks, the recording heads H2A and
It is set in advance so that H2C and the reproducing heads H3A and H3C of the reproducing head pair having an azimuth angle of −β ° scan.

On the other hand, on the tracks scanned by the pilot signal recording heads H4A and H4B having an azimuth angle of -β °,
Recording head H with azimuth angle + β ° of recording head pair
2B, H2D, and azimuth angle + β of the reproducing head pair
Since the reproducing heads H3B and H3D having the angle of .degree. Are preset to scan, the pilot signal recording head H4
The azimuth angles of A and H4B are reverse azimuths with respect to the recording heads H2B and H2D and the reproducing heads H3B and H3D.

In the embodiment, the azimuth angle of the pilot signal recording heads H4A and H4B is set to -β °.
On the contrary, pilot signal recording heads H4A, H4
When the azimuth angle of B is set to + β °, the azimuth angle of the recording heads H2B and H2D and the reproducing heads H3B and H3D that scans on this track is set to −β °, and recording on the adjacent track is performed. Heads H2A, H2
C and reproducing heads H3A and H3C with azimuth angle of + β °
You can set it to.

Next, a reproducing head pair H having an azimuth angle of ± β °
3A and H3B are integrally mounted on the head actuator 30A, and the reproducing head H3A having an azimuth angle of -β ° among the reproducing head pairs H3A and H3B is preset for tracking control. Further, the reproducing head pair H3C, H3D having an azimuth angle of ± β ° is also integrally mounted on the head actuator 30B, and the reproducing head H3C having an azimuth angle of −β ° among the reproducing head pairs H3C, H3D has tracking control. It is preset for use. Then, by the head actuator 30A and the head actuator 30B, as will be described later, the reproducing head pair H3A, H3B and the reproducing head pair H3C, H3.
Tracking control is performed by displacing D in the track width direction of the recording track.

Here, the above-mentioned head actuator 3
0A and 30B are the piezoelectric bimorph B shown in FIG.
M or the voice coil motor VCM shown in FIG. 6B is used.

More specifically, in the rotary magnetic head portion 20B shown in FIG. 6A, a pair of bearings 24 fitted above and below a fixed drum 21 fixedly installed on a chassis (not shown) or the like. , 24, a drum shaft 23 into which the rotary drum 22 is press-fitted is rotatably supported by a driving force of a drum motor (not shown).

A piezoelectric bimorph BM is mounted on the bottom surface 22b of the rotary drum 22 so as to be swingable in the head driving direction (arrow direction). A head support plate SP to which a pair of reproducing heads H3A and H3B are fixed is attached to the tip of the piezoelectric bimorph BM, and the pair of reproducing heads H3A and H3B are provided on the outer peripheral surface 22a of the rotary drum 22.
Slightly projects from the magnetic tape 4 side. A piezoelectric bimorph BM equipped with a pair of reproducing heads H3C and H3D is attached to the opposite side of the drum shaft 23, and dynamic balance is maintained by this, but illustration thereof is omitted here.

Further, each lead wire of the piezoelectric bimorph BM is guided to the upper surface 22d side of the rotary drum 22 through a through hole 22c formed in the rotary drum 22, and the rotary drum 22.
Is connected to a plurality of slip rings 25 formed on the upper part of the. Further, a plurality of brushes 26 attached to a fixed member are in sliding contact with the plurality of slip rings 25. Therefore, when the tracking control signal generated based on the tracking error signal is applied to the piezoelectric bimorph BM via the plurality of brushes 26 and the plurality of slip rings 25, the reproducing head pair H3A, H3B is integrated with the piezoelectric bimorph BM.
Can be displaced in the width direction of the recording track recorded on the magnetic tape 4.

At this time, a fixed rotary transformer 27A fixed inside the fixed drum 21 and a rotary rotary transformer 27B fixed inside the rotary drum 22 are provided.
By facing each other with a slight gap, the signals are transmitted to and received from the pilot signal recording head, the recording head pair, and the reproducing head pair by both rotary transformers 27A and 27B in a non-contact manner.

Further, in the rotary magnetic head portion 20B shown in FIG. 6 (b), the piezoelectric bimorph B described in FIG. 6 (a) is used.
Instead of M, the voice coil motor VCM is the rotary drum 2
2 is attached in the bottomed hole 22e formed from the bottom side. In this voice coil motor VCM, a shaft G provided inside is vertically movable in a head driving direction (arrow direction). A head support plate SP to which the reproducing head pair H3A, H3B is fixed is attached to the axis G of the voice coil motor VCM, and the reproducing head pair H3A, H3B is attached to the magnetic tape from the outer peripheral surface 22a of the rotary drum 22. It projects slightly to the 4 side. The drum shaft 23
Although a voice coil motor VCM equipped with a pair of reproducing heads H3C and H3D is attached to the opposite side of the above, the illustration thereof is omitted here.

When a tracking control signal generated based on the tracking error signal is applied to the voice coil motor VCM via the brushes 26 and the slip rings 25, the reproducing head pair H3A is integrated with the voice coil motor VCM. The H3B can be displaced in the width direction of the recording track recorded on the magnetic tape 4.

Next, the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus 10 according to the present invention.
The signal processing units 40A of the first and second embodiments provided in B,
40B will be described step by step.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the signal processing unit of the first embodiment provided in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 8 shows the signal processing unit of the first embodiment. When recording and reproducing two tracks by applying the pilot signal, the pilot signal recording head of −β ° intermittently records the pilot signal at a predetermined interval.
9 is a diagram schematically showing a track pattern when the phase of a pilot signal recorded on each track adjacent to the reproducing head of FIG. It is the figure which showed typically the case where a pilot signal was sampled in a track recording / reproducing pattern, (a) shows the case where each track number 1, 5, 9 is tracked, (b) shows track number 3,7. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a case where each tracking is performed, and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration in the tracking error detection circuit shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the signal processing section 40A of the first embodiment, one pilot signal p in the pilot signal generation circuit 41 is preset to one frequency F1.
(Fig. 8) is generated intermittently. After this, the pilot signal p output from the pilot signal generation circuit 41
Is amplified by the recording amplifier 42 and then supplied to the pilot signal recording head H4A having an azimuth angle of −β ° for a half rotation period of the rotary drum 22 and for the remaining half rotation period of the rotary drum 22. It is supplied to the pilot signal recording head H4B having an azimuth angle of −β °, and one pilot signal p is supplied by the pilot signal recording heads H4A and 4B.
Are intermittently recorded in the deep layer portion of the magnetic tape 4 (FIG. 1).

More specifically, as shown in FIG.
At the time of track recording / reproducing, the pilot signal recording head H4A having an azimuth angle of −β ° preceding the recording head pair H2A, 2B outputs the pilot signal p set to one frequency F1 at track numbers 2, 6 ,. , And a plurality of pilot signals p are intermittently recorded at a predetermined interval K1 in the track numbers 2, 6, ... And the predetermined interval K1 is divided into two parts. The pilot signal p is recorded over 1/2 of the interval K1.

On the other hand, the pilot signal recording head H4 having an azimuth angle of -β ° preceding the recording head pair H2C, 2D.
B records the pilot signal p set to the same frequency F1 as the above every four tracks and track numbers 4, 8, ... And within the track numbers 4, 8 ,. A plurality of intervals are recorded intermittently, and the predetermined interval K1 is divided into two, and the pilot signal p is recorded over a half of each predetermined interval K1.

The pilot signals p to be recorded on the track numbers 4, 8, ... Are recorded with a phase shift of 1/2 of the predetermined interval K1 with respect to the pilot signals p to be recorded on the track numbers 2, 6 ,. Therefore, the two types of track patterns in which the pilot signal p is recorded are repeated every four tracks.

Further, the pilot signal recording head H4A,
As described above, H4B is formed to have a track width Tw of approximately one track, so that a track without a pilot signal is generated. In this case, the track without a pilot signal is track numbers 1, 3, and 3. 5, 7, 9,
.. are generated every two tracks in this order, and the pair of recording heads (H2A, H2B), (H2C, H2D) and the pair of reproducing heads (H3A, Of the H3B) and (H3C, H3D), the recording head and the reproducing head having the azimuth angle of -β ° scan.

Returning to FIG. 7, the recording data signal rs supplied from the recording signal processing circuit 43 is amplified by the recording amplifiers 44 and 45, and then switched every half rotation of the rotary drum 22 to change the azimuth angle ± β °. Recording head pair H2
A, H2B, and recording head pair H2 with azimuth angle ± β °
It is supplied to C and H2D respectively.

Immediately after recording the pilot signal p, the recording head pair (H2A, H2B), (H2
C, H2D) to transfer the recording data signal rs to the magnetic tape 4
2 tracks are recorded at the same time at the azimuth angle of ± β ° on the surface layer.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, during the first half rotation of the rotary drum 22, the recording head pair H2A,
Track number 1 in which the pilot signal p is not recorded by the recording head H2A having an azimuth angle of -β ° in H2B
The track number 2 on which the pilot signal p is recorded by the recording head H2B having an azimuth angle of + β ° is recorded substantially at the same time, and thereafter, the rest of the rotary drum 22 is stopped during the latter half rotation of the rotary drum 22 and the following first half rotation is performed. The track number 5 in which the pilot signal p is not recorded by the recording head H2A and the track number 6 in which the pilot signal p is recorded by the recording head H2B are recorded substantially at the same time, and this is repeated thereafter.

On the other hand, during the latter half half rotation of the rotary drum 22, the azimuth angle −β ° of the recording head pair H2C, H2D.
Track number 3 in which the pilot signal p is not recorded by the recording head H2C of No. 4 and track number 4 in which the pilot signal p is recorded by the recording head H2D of azimuth angle + β °
Are recorded substantially at the same time, and thereafter, the recording head H2C records a track number 7 in which the pilot signal p is not recorded during the next half half rotation of the rotary drum 22 during the next half half rotation. Pilot signal p with head H2B
The track number 8 in which is recorded is recorded substantially simultaneously, and this is repeated thereafter.

Returning to FIG. 7 again, when reproducing the recorded recording track recorded on the magnetic tape 4, the reproducing head pair (H3A, H3B), (H
3C, H3D), each of which reproduces two tracks substantially at the same time, and each reproduced signal reproduced is amplified by the preamplifiers 46 to 49 corresponding to each reproducing head of each reproducing head pair and then sent to the head changeover switches 50 and 51. ing. At this time, the head changeover switches 50 and 51 are arranged such that the terminal a-the terminal c and the terminal b are every half rotation of the rotary drum 22.
-Alternately switched to terminal c.

That is, the reproduced signals reproduced by the reproducing head 3B having the azimuth angle + β ° of the reproducing head pair H3A and H3B and the reproducing head 3D having the azimuth angle + β ° of the reproducing head pairs H3C and H3D respectively. , The preamplifiers 46 and 48, respectively, and the head changeover switch 50 to the waveform equalizer 52.

On the other hand, each reproduction is performed by the reproduction head 3A having an azimuth angle of -β ° among the reproduction head pairs H3A and H3B and the reproduction head 3C having an azimuth angle of -β ° among the reproduction head pairs H3C and H3D. The signal is sent to the waveform equalizer 53 and the pilot signal detection circuit 55 through the head changeover switch 51 via the preamplifiers 47 and 49, respectively.

In the above-mentioned waveform equalizers 52 and 53, the reproduced signal processing circuit 5 is formed after performing waveform shaping on each reproduced signal.
4 and the reproduction signal processing circuit 54 outputs the reproduction signal in a state excluding the pilot signal p.

Further, the pilot signal detection circuit 5 described above
In No. 5, when the reproducing head 3A or the reproducing head 3C having an azimuth angle of −β ° scans a track on which the pilot signal p is not recorded, the tracks are recorded on the tracks adjacent to both sides of this track with their phases shifted from each other. Each pilot signal p is detected by an internal resonance circuit (not shown),
Each detected pilot signal p is sent to the tracking error detection circuit 56.

Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the azimuth angle −
When the reproducing head 3A of β ° scans track numbers 1, 5 and 9, or when the reproducing head 3C of azimuth angle −β ° scans track numbers 3 and 7, each track on both sides of each track number Sampling timings t0 to t9 are set corresponding to the positions of the recorded pilot signals p, and in accordance with this, the sampling signal generation circuit 57 shown in FIG. 7 generates sampling signals s1 and s2. The sampling signals s1 and s2 are sent to the tracking error detection circuit 56.

In the case of the track pattern shown in FIG. 8, in the tracking error detection circuit 56, the crosstalk from the reproducing head 3A when the reproducing head 3A having the azimuth angle of -β ° scans the track numbers 1, 5 and 9. As a component, as shown in FIG. 9A, the pilot signal p recorded on the track on the left side of the track numbers 1, 5 and 9 scanned by the reproducing head 3A is the sampling signal s1.
Sample-hold signal SH1 is obtained by sample-holding at the timing of 1, while pilot signal p recorded on the track on the right side of track numbers 1, 5, 9 is sample-held at the timing of sampling signal s2 and sample-hold signal SH2 is obtained. Is getting

Further, the reproducing head 3C having an azimuth angle of -β °
Is recorded as a crosstalk component from the reproducing head 3C when the reproducing head 3C scans the track numbers 3 and 7, as shown in FIG. 9B. The sampled pilot signal p is sampled and held at the timing of the sampling signal s1 to obtain the sample and hold signal SH1, while the pilot signal p recorded on the track on the right side of the track numbers 3 and 7 is sampled at the timing of the sampling signal s2. The sample hold signal SH2 is obtained by holding.

After this, the tracking error detection circuit 56
In the above, the sample and hold signals SH1 and SH2 obtained as described above are supplied to the resistor R1 as shown in FIG.
~ R4 and the operational amplifier OP are input to a difference circuit connected as shown in the figure to sample and hold signals SH1 and SH2.
The tracking error signal trer is obtained by taking the difference of

Then, the tracking error detection circuit 56
The tracking control signal generated on the basis of the tracking error signal trer obtained in
Head actuator 30A equipped with H3B (see FIG.
5) or reproducing head pair H3C, H3D is mounted on the head actuator 30B (FIGS. 4, 5), so that the reproducing head pair H3A, H3B or reproducing head pair H3C is integrated with the head actuator 30A or head actuator 30B. , H3D are displaced in the width direction of the recording track for tracking control.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the reproducing head pair H3A, H3B is the recording head pair H2A, H2.
Corresponding to B, track numbers 1 and 2, then track numbers 5 and 6, then track numbers 9 and 10, and so on are simultaneously scanned on two tracks, while a pair of reproducing heads H3C and H3.
D corresponds to the pair of recording heads H2C and H2D, and scans two tracks substantially simultaneously in the order of track numbers 3 and 4, then track numbers 7 and 8.

Here, for example, paying attention to track numbers 7 and 8, the reproducing head H3C having an azimuth angle of -β ° among the reproducing head pairs H3C and H3D scans the track number 7 in which the pilot signal p is not recorded. On the other hand, the reproducing head H3C having an azimuth angle of + β ° has a pilot signal p at the deep layer portion of the magnetic tape 4 at an azimuth angle of -β ° which is the opposite of this.
The track number 8 on which is recorded is being scanned.

Therefore, the reproducing head H having an azimuth angle of -β °
3C is a recording data signal rs of track number 7 recorded on the surface layer portion of the magnetic tape 4 at the same azimuth angle of -β °.
And the crosstalk component from each pilot signal p recorded intermittently with the same azimuth angle −β ° being shifted in phase from each other on track numbers 6 and 8 adjacent to this track number 7, The tracking control signal generated based on the tracking error signal resulting from the difference between the two crosstalk components detected here is supplied to the head actuator 30B (FIGS. 4 and 5) to reproduce the read head pair H.
Tracking control is performed on 3C and H3D.

On the other hand, a reproducing head H3 having an azimuth angle of + β °
Although D reliably reproduces the recording data signal rs of track number 8 recorded on the surface layer portion of the magnetic tape 4 at the same azimuth angle + β °, the pilot signal p recorded on the deep layer portion of the magnetic tape 4 is Since the reproducing head H3D cannot reproduce due to the reverse azimuth angle, the interference of the pilot signal p with the recording data signal rs can be suppressed to a minimum.

Next, FIG. 1 shows a modified example in which two-track recording / reproduction is performed by the signal processing unit 40A of the first embodiment.
1, it will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 11 shows a case where the pilot signal recording head of −β ° intermittently records a pilot signal at a predetermined interval during two-track recording / reproducing by applying the signal processing unit of the first embodiment. The track pattern when the phase of the pilot signal recorded on each adjacent track is shifted by 1/3 with respect to the track scanned by the reproducing head of -β ° Figure 1, Figure 1
2 is a diagram schematically showing a case of sampling a pilot signal in the 2-track recording / reproducing pattern shown in FIG. 11, (a) showing a case of tracking track numbers 1 and 7, respectively, (b). Indicates the case of tracking the track numbers 3 and 9, respectively, and (c)
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a case where track number 5 is tracked.

As shown in FIG. 11, during two-track recording / reproducing, the pilot signal recording head H4A having an azimuth angle of -β ° preceding the recording head pair H2A, 2B has a pilot signal p set to one frequency F1. , And every four tracks, and in the track numbers 2, 6, ..., a plurality of pilot signals p are intermittently recorded at predetermined intervals K2, and at the same time, a predetermined number is recorded. Interval K2 is divided into 3 and divided by 1 within each predetermined interval K2.
The pilot signal p is recorded over the section of 3.

On the other hand, the pilot signal recording head H4 having an azimuth angle of -β ° preceding the recording head pair H2C, 2D.
B records the pilot signal p set to the same frequency F1 as the above every four tracks and track numbers 4, 8, ... And within the track numbers 4, 8, ... A plurality of intervals are recorded intermittently, and the predetermined interval K2 is divided into three, and the pilot signal p is recorded over 1/3 of the predetermined interval K2.

The pilot signals p to be recorded on the track numbers 4, 8, ... Are recorded with a phase shift of 1/3 of a predetermined interval K2 with respect to the pilot signals p to be recorded on the track numbers 2, 6 ,. Because the pilot signal p
The three types of track patterns in which is recorded are repeated every six tracks.

In the case of the track pattern shown in FIG. 11, in the tracking error detection circuit 56 (FIG. 7), when the reproducing head 3A having the azimuth angle of -β ° scans the track number 1, or the azimuth angle of -β. As the crosstalk component from the reproducing head 3A or the reproducing head 3C when the reproducing head 3C of 3 ° scans the track number 7, FIG.
As shown in (a), the pilot signal p recorded on the track on the left side of the track number 1 or track number 7 scanned by the reproducing head 3A or the reproducing head 3C is sampled and held at the timing of the sampling signal s1. While the sample and hold signal SH1 is obtained, the pilot signal p recorded on the track on the right side of the track number 1 or track number 7 is sampled and held at the timing of the sampling signal s2 to obtain the sample and hold signal S1.
Got H2.

A reproducing head 3C having an azimuth angle of -β ° is also used.
Scans track number 3, or azimuth angle -β
As the crosstalk component from the reproducing head 3C or the reproducing head 3A when the reproducing head 3A of 3 ° scans the track number 9, as shown in FIG.
Alternatively, the pilot signal p recorded on the track on the left side of the track number 3 or the track number 9 scanned by the reproducing head 3A is sampled and held at the timing of the sampling signal s1 to obtain the sample hold signal SH1, while the track number 3 or The pilot signal p recorded in the track on the right side of the track number 9 is sampled and held at the timing of the sampling signal s2 to obtain the sample hold signal SH2.

The reproducing head 3A having an azimuth angle of -β °
As a crosstalk component from the reproducing head 3A when scanning the track number 5, as shown in FIG.
The pilot signal p recorded on the left side track of the track number 5 scanned by the reproducing head 3A is sampled and held at the timing of the sampling signal s1 to obtain a sample hold signal SH1, while the right side track of the track number 5 is obtained. The pilot signal p recorded in 1 is sampled and held at the timing of the sampling signal s2 to obtain the sample and hold signal SH2.

After this, the tracking error detection circuit 56
In the above, the sample and hold signals SH1 and SH2 obtained as described above are supplied to the resistor R1 as shown in FIG.
~ R4 and the operational amplifier OP are input to a difference circuit connected as shown in the figure to sample and hold signals SH1 and SH2.
The tracking error signal trer is obtained by taking the difference of

Then, the tracking error detection circuit 56
The tracking control signal generated on the basis of the tracking error signal trer obtained in
Head actuator 30A equipped with H3B (see FIG.
5) or reproducing head pair H3C, H3D is mounted on the head actuator 30B (FIGS. 4, 5), so that the reproducing head pair H3A, H3B or reproducing head pair H3C is integrated with the head actuator 30A or head actuator 30B. , H3D are displaced in the width direction of the recording track for tracking control. In this case, the reproducing head pair H3A, H3B or the reproducing head pair H3C, H
Since 3 types of track patterns in which the pilot signal p is recorded are repeated when the 3D is integrally track-jumped, reproduction is performed by switching the sampling timing in the order of (a) → (b) → (c) shown in FIG. The head pair is transferred to the right in the order of tracks 1 → 3 → 5, and conversely the sampling timing is shown in FIG. 12 (c) → (b) →
When switching is performed in the order of (a), the reproducing head pair is track 5 →
Since it is transferred leftward from 3 → 1, the playback head pair H3
The transfer direction of A, H3B or the reproducing head pair H3C, H3D can be freely controlled. Next, as a modified example of the first embodiment, FIG. 13 and FIG.
4 will be briefly described.

FIG. 13 shows a modified example of the first embodiment, in which a pilot signal recording head of −β ° intermittently records a pilot signal at a predetermined interval during 4-track recording / reproduction, and within a predetermined interval. A diagram schematically showing a track pattern in which the phase of the pilot signal recorded on each track adjacent to the track which is divided into two and scanned by the -β ° reproducing head is shifted by 1/2. 14 is the first
As another modified example of the embodiment, during 4-track recording / reproduction,
When the pilot signal recording head of −β ° intermittently records the pilot signal at a predetermined interval, the predetermined interval is divided into three, and the reproduction head of −β ° is located on both sides of the track to be scanned. It is the figure which showed typically the track pattern when the phase of the pilot signal recorded on each track is shifted by 1/3.

In the track patterns described above with reference to FIGS. 8 and 11, when recording / reproducing a digital information signal on the magnetic tape 4, the recording head pair (H2A, H2B) having an azimuth angle of ± β °, (H2C, H2D) and reproducing head pair (H3A, H3B) and (H3
C, H3D) to record 2 tracks at the same time,
Although it is being reproduced, based on the above technical idea,
In a modified example, even-numbered tracks of 4 tracks or more can be recorded almost simultaneously or reproduced almost simultaneously.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, when, for example, four tracks are recorded substantially simultaneously or when they are reproduced substantially simultaneously, in order to record adjacent recording tracks so that they have mutually opposite azimuth angles. , A recording head pair is provided with four recording heads having an azimuth angle of −β ° and recording heads having an azimuth angle of + β ° alternately and the heights thereof are adjusted to the respective tracks. It is provided to match the azimuth angle.

On the other hand, the pilot signal recording head preceding the pair of recording heads scans two tracks of the pair of recording heads, which are scanned by the recording head having the azimuth angle + β ° every other track. Two pilot signals p having an azimuth angle of −β ° are provided on the two tracks so as to be intermittently recorded in the deep portion of the magnetic tape 4 in advance. Of course, also in this case, two pilot signal recording heads are provided on the rotary drum 22 at positions separated by 180 °.

Here, when the pilot signals p set to one frequency F1 are intermittently recorded by the two pilot signal recording heads, the predetermined pilot signal p is recorded in the track pattern shown in FIG. The interval K1 is divided into two, and the phase of the pilot signal p recorded by one pilot signal recording head is shifted by 1/2 from the pilot signal p recorded by the other pilot signal recording head. In the track pattern shown in FIG. 14, the pilot signal p is recorded at a predetermined interval K2.
The inside is divided into three, and the phase of the pilot signal p recorded by one pilot signal recording head is shifted by 1/3 with respect to the pilot signal p recorded by the other pilot signal recording head.

Further, although there are two tracks which the pilot signal recording head does not scan every other track, the recording head and the reproducing head having an azimuth angle of -β ° are scanning on these two tracks, and the tracking is performed. The reproducing head having an azimuth angle of -β ° for control may be preset in correspondence with any one of the two tracks. In the following, even in the case of recording / reproducing 6 tracks and 8 tracks, the example of 4 tracks may be expanded.

In each of the track patterns shown in FIGS. 8, 11, 13 and 14, the tracks on both sides adjacent to the track scanned by the reproducing head having the same azimuth angle as the pilot signal recording head are scanned. When intermittently recording the pilot signal p set to one frequency F1 by the pilot signal recording head at a predetermined interval, n within a predetermined interval (however, n
Is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) and the phase of the pilot signal p recorded on one track is m / n (where m is a natural number smaller than n) with respect to the pilot signal p recorded on the other track. It is only necessary to shift and repeat this to record.

Next, in recording the pilot signal p by the pilot signal recording head in each of the track patterns shown in FIGS. 8, 11, 13 and 14, the pilot signal p is set to one frequency F1. The reason for setting will be described with reference to FIGS. 8, 11, and 15. still,
The cases of FIGS. 13 and 14 are similar to those of FIGS. 8 and 11, but in this case, since the reference numerals are not given to the respective heads, the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the frequency of the pilot signal in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

In the track patterns shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, for example, on track number 8, the track width of the reproducing head H3D is set to Tw, and the azimuth angle of the pilot signal recording head H4B and the reproducing head H3D are set.
If the angle formed by the azimuth angle of Φ is θ ° and the recording wavelength of the recording data signal rs recorded on the track number 8 is λ, then generally, the azimuth loss L of the reproducing head H3D is L.
(DB) is determined by the following equation 1 and, in addition, FIG.
It has the characteristics shown in. Of course, the same applies to the reproducing head H3B having the same azimuth angle as the reproducing head H3D.

[0087]

[Equation 1] Here, in the present invention, the read head pair (H3A, H3B),
(H3C, H3D) pilot signal recording head H4
A, H4B azimuth angle −β °, opposite azimuth angle + β °
The frequency of the pilot signal p is set so as to maximize the azimuth loss of the reproducing heads H3B and H3D having the above. In other words, the crosstalk component of the pilot signal p to the reproducing heads H3B and H3D is minimized. Since the pilot signal p is set to the frequency, and this frequency appears periodically as is clear from FIG. 15, the frequency F1 that appears first is set as the frequency of the pilot signal p that minimizes the level of crosstalk. By
The reproducing heads H3B and H3D can reliably reproduce the recording data signal rs recorded at the same azimuth angle as the reproducing heads H3B and H3D without being interfered by the pilot signal p recorded at the reverse azimuth angle on the same track. .

<Second Embodiment> FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a signal processing section of a second embodiment provided in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

The signal processing section 40B of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 16 has the same configuration as that of the signal processing section 40A of the first embodiment described above with reference to FIG. Here, for convenience of description, the same reference numerals are given to the above-described constituent members, and new reference numerals are given to constituent members different from those of the first embodiment, and The different points will be mainly described.

In the signal processor 40B of the second embodiment, one pilot signal p in the pilot signal generation circuit 41 is used.
Is the same as that of the first embodiment in that it is intermittently generated at one preset frequency F1, but the synchronization signal sy synchronized with the pilot signal p is generated by the synchronization signal generation circuit 60. The point is different from the first embodiment.

At this time, the recording data signal rs supplied from the recording signal processing circuit 43 and the synchronization signal sy output from the synchronization signal generation circuit 60 are added by the adder 61, and the added signal ads is added to the recording amplifier 45. Of the recording head pairs (H2A, H2B), (H2C, H2D) to the recording heads H2A, H2C having an azimuth angle of -β °, and the added signal ads is recorded on the surface layer of the magnetic tape 4. ing.

Accordingly, at the time of reproducing on the magnetic tape 4, a pair of reproducing heads (H3A, H3B), (H3C, H3).
D) reproducing heads H3A, H having an azimuth angle of -β °
The added signal ads (recording data signal rs + synchronization signal sy) recorded on the surface layer of the magnetic tape 4 is read by 3C and reproduced through the preamplifiers 47 and 49, the head changeover switch 51, and the waveform equalizer 53 in order. Then, the output signal from the waveform equalizer 53 is sent to the synchronization signal detection circuit 62.

In the sync signal detecting circuit 62, the added signal ads (recording data signal rs + sync signal sy) is added.
From the above, only the synchronizing signal sy synchronized with the pilot signal p is detected and sent to the sampling signal generating circuit 63, and in this sampling signal generating circuit 63, the sampling signals s1 and s2 are generated in synchronization with the synchronizing signal sy.

After that, since the sampling signals s1 and s2 are sent from the sampling signal generation circuit 63 to the tracking error detection circuit 56, the tracking error detection circuit 56 performs tracking by the same operation as described in the first embodiment. Playhead H3A set in advance
Alternatively, the tracking error signal to the reproducing head H3C can be surely obtained.

Therefore, the signal processor 40B of the second embodiment.
8 is applied in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG.
3, the reproducing head pair can be tracking-controlled with the same pattern as the track pattern described with reference to FIG.

[0096]

In the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention described in detail above, according to claim 1, the pilot signal is set to one frequency especially when the pilot signal is recorded in the deep portion of the magnetic tape. Then, the phase of the pilot signal recorded on the other side track is shifted from the pilot signal recorded on the one side track adjacent to the track scanned by the reproducing head having the same azimuth angle as the pilot signal recording head. Since both pilot signals are recorded intermittently at predetermined intervals, the pilot signal set to one frequency does not have to be set to a high frequency. It is simple and the pilot signal can be surely recorded in the deep layer of the magnetic tape, and the sampling signal can be used during playback. By sampling the pilot signal at a timing, it can be reliably detected pilot signal by a reproducing head for tracking.

According to the second aspect of the invention, particularly, when recording the pilot signal in the deep layer of the magnetic tape, the pilot signal is set to one frequency, and the same azimuth angle as the azimuth angle of the pilot signal recording head is set. The reproducing head has a pilot signal recorded on one track adjacent to the track scanned by the reproducing head, and the phase of the pilot signal recorded on the other track is shifted so that both pilot signals are intermittently separated by a predetermined interval. In addition to the recording, the synchronization signal for synchronizing with the pilot signal is added to the recording data signal and recorded, so that the pilot signal set to one frequency does not have to be set to a high frequency. , Simplifies the component configuration in the pilot signal generation circuit and secures the pilot signal in the deep layer of the magnetic tape. Recording possible, and, by sampling the pilot signal at a timing of a sampling signal synchronized with the synchronizing signal during reproduction, it can be further more reliably detected pilot signal by the reproducing head for tracking.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a general helical scan type magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an arrangement of a plurality of magnetic heads attached to a rotary drum in a conventional tracking control system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a recording pattern on a magnetic tape in a conventional tracking control system.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an arrangement of a plurality of magnetic heads attached to a rotary drum in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

5 is a diagram schematically showing the height above a recording track of a plurality of magnetic heads attached to the rotary drum shown in FIG.

6A and 6B are views for explaining a head actuator in which the reproducing head pair shown in FIG. 4 is mounted, FIG. 6A shows a case where a piezoelectric bimorph is used as a head actuator, and FIG. 6B is a voice coil as a head actuator. It is sectional drawing which showed the case where a motor was used.

FIG. 7 shows a first structure provided in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.
It is the block diagram which showed the signal processing part of embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a predetermined interval when a pilot signal recording head of −β ° intermittently records a pilot signal at a predetermined interval during two-track recording / reproducing by applying the signal processing unit of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a track pattern in which the phase is divided into two and the phase of the pilot signal recorded on each of the tracks adjacent to each other is shifted by 1/2 with respect to the track scanned by the reproducing head of −β °. Is.

9 is a diagram schematically showing a case where pilot signals are sampled in the 2-track recording / reproducing pattern shown in FIG. 8, and FIG. 9A shows a case where track numbers 1, 5 and 9 are respectively tracked. , (B) are diagrams showing a case where the track numbers 3 and 7 are respectively tracked.

10 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration in the tracking error detection circuit shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a predetermined interval when a pilot signal recording head of −β ° intermittently records a pilot signal at a predetermined interval during two-track recording / reproducing by applying the signal processing unit of the first embodiment. The figure schematically shows a track pattern in which the phase is divided into three and the phase of the pilot signal recorded on each of the tracks adjacent to each other is shifted by 1/3 with respect to the track scanned by the reproducing head of -β °. Is.

12 is a diagram schematically showing a case where pilot signals are sampled in the 2-track recording / reproducing track pattern shown in FIG. 11, and FIG. 12 (a) shows a case where track numbers 1 and 7 are respectively tracked, (B)
Shows the case of tracking the track numbers 3 and 9, respectively, and (c) shows the case of tracking the track number 5.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a modification of the first embodiment. When recording / reproducing four tracks, a pilot signal recording head of −β ° intermittently records pilot signals at predetermined intervals and divides the predetermined interval into two. FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing a track pattern when the phase of a pilot signal recorded on each track adjacent to both sides of a track scanned by a reproducing head of −β ° is shifted by 1/2.

FIG. 14 shows another modified example of the first embodiment, in which a pilot signal recording head of −β ° intermittently records a pilot signal at a predetermined interval during four-track recording / reproduction, and within a predetermined interval. FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a track pattern when the phase of a pilot signal recorded on each track adjacent to the track divided into three and scanned by a reproducing head of −β ° is shifted by ⅓. .

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the frequency of a pilot signal in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a signal processing unit of a second embodiment provided in the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

4 ... Magnetic tape, 10B ... Magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, 20B ... Rotating magnetic head unit, 21 ... Fixed drum, 2
2 ... Rotating drum, 23 ... Drum shaft, 30A, 30B ... Head actuator, 40A, 40B ... Signal processing part of 1st, 2nd embodiment, 41 ... Pilot signal generation circuit, 4
2 ... Recording amplifier, 43 ... Recording signal processing circuit, 44, 45
Recording amplifiers, 46 to 49 ... Preamplifiers, 50, 51 ...
Head changeover switches, 52, 53 ... Waveform equalizer, 5
4 ... Reproduction signal processing circuit, 55 ... Pilot signal detection circuit, 56 ... Tracking error detection circuit, 57 ... Sampling signal generation circuit, 60 ... Synchronous signal generation circuit, 61 ...
Adder, 62 ... Sync signal detection circuit, 63 ... Sampling signal generation circuit, (H2A, H2B), (H2C, H2
D) ... recording head pair, (H3A, H3B), (H3C,
H3D) ... reproduction head pair, H4A, H4B ... pilot signal recording head, ads ... addition signal, p ... pilot signal, rs ... recording data signal, sy ... synchronization signal, trailer
... Tracking error signal, s1, s2 ... Sampling signal, SH1, SH2 ... Sample and hold signal, K1,
K2 ... Predetermined interval, F1 ... Frequency of pilot signal.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A pilot signal recording head for recording a pilot signal for tracking on a magnetic tape is provided on a rotating drum in advance of a recording head pair including a plurality of recording heads having mutually opposite azimuth angles. A reproducing head pair having a plurality of reproducing heads mounted and having an azimuth angle corresponding to the recording head pair is mounted on the rotary drum, and the pilot signal is recorded by the pilot signal recording head to the deep portion of the magnetic tape. After recording, each information signal corresponding to the number of heads is recorded on the surface layer portion of the magnetic tape substantially simultaneously by the recording head pair, and further, each recorded information signal is reproduced substantially simultaneously by the reproducing head pair. A magnetic structure configured to perform tracking control on the read head pair with reference to the pilot signal. In the recording / reproducing apparatus, the track width of the pilot signal recording head is set to approximately one track, and the azimuth angle of the pilot signal recording head is preset in the reproducing head pair for tracking purposes. And the same azimuth angle as the azimuth angle of the pilot signal recording head is applied to the pilot signal recording head by applying the pilot signal of one frequency generated by the pilot signal generating means to the pilot signal recording head. When intermittently recording on each track on both sides adjacent to the track which the reproducing head has, at a predetermined interval, respectively, within the predetermined interval when the pilot signal is intermittently recorded on each track. n (where n is a natural number of 2 or more) and playback The phase of the pilot signal recorded on the other track is shifted by m / n (where m is a natural number smaller than n) from the pilot signal recorded on the one track adjacent to the track scanned by the head. Recording means for repeatedly recording this, and sampling the pilot signal when intermittently reproducing the pilot signal from each track on both sides of a track scanned by the reproducing head preset for tracking And a sampling means for the magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus. 2. A pilot signal recording head for recording a pilot signal for tracking on a magnetic tape is placed on a rotating drum in advance of a recording head pair having a plurality of recording heads having mutually opposite azimuth angles. A reproducing head pair having a plurality of reproducing heads mounted and having an azimuth angle corresponding to the recording head pair is mounted on the rotary drum, and the pilot signal is recorded by the pilot signal recording head to the deep portion of the magnetic tape. After recording, each information signal corresponding to the number of heads is recorded on the surface layer portion of the magnetic tape substantially simultaneously by the recording head pair, and further, each recorded information signal is reproduced substantially simultaneously by the reproducing head pair. A magnetic structure configured to perform tracking control on the read head pair with reference to the pilot signal. In the recording / reproducing apparatus, the track width of the pilot signal recording head is set to approximately one track, and the azimuth angle of the pilot signal recording head is preset in the reproducing head pair for tracking purposes. And the same azimuth angle as the azimuth angle of the pilot signal recording head is applied to the pilot signal recording head by applying the pilot signal of one frequency generated by the pilot signal generating means to the pilot signal recording head. When intermittently recording on each track on both sides adjacent to the track which the reproducing head has, at a predetermined interval, respectively, within the predetermined interval when the pilot signal is intermittently recorded on each track. n (where n is a natural number of 2 or more) and playback The phase of the pilot signal recorded on the other track is shifted by m / n (where m is a natural number smaller than n) from the pilot signal recorded on the one track adjacent to the track scanned by the head. A first recording means for repeatedly recording this, a synchronizing signal generating means for generating a synchronizing signal for synchronizing with the pilot signal, and a recording data signal for recording on the magnetic tape Recording signal processing means, adding means for adding the synchronizing signal and the recording data signal, and the azimuth of the reproducing head preset for tracking the synchronizing signal and the recording data signal added by the adding means. Second recording means for recording on the surface layer portion of the magnetic tape by the recording head having the same azimuth angle as the angle, and tracking The sync signal detecting means for detecting the sync signal from the signal reproduced by the reproducing head, which is preset as, and the pilot signal from each track on both sides adjacent to the track scanned by the reproducing head, which is preset for tracking. Magnetic field reproduction means, a sampling signal generating means for generating a sampling signal for sampling the pilot signal in synchronization with the synchronizing signal output from the synchronizing signal detecting means is provided. Recording / playback device.