METHOD OF CORRECTING HEAD-TO-TRACK ALIGNMENT, ROTATING HEAD MAGNETIC TAPE UNIT AND MAGNETIC TAPE

Transducer head to data track alignment is corrected in a helical scan rotating head magnetic tape unit by displacing the head in a direction perpendicular to the direction of rotation of the head under the control of an error signal indicative of misalignment between the head and a desired data track. The error signal is generated in response to the sensing by the head of a longitudinal servo track record defining the locations of oblique data tracks. Displacement of the head is effected by mounting the head on a piezoelectric actuator controlled by the error signal. By successively sensing a series of longitudinal servo track records on the tape, alignment of the head with an oblique data track is repeatedly corrected as the head scans the data track. In this manner the head is caused to follow a skewed of deformed data track.