The State-of-the-Art in Magnetic Tape Data Recording

by Charlie FAREL (STC)

Thursday 21 Oct 1999, 14:00 → 14:15 Europe/Zurich

500/1-001 - Main Auditorium (CERN)

Digital magnetic tape remains the lowest cost method of storing data and information for computing. A brief history of magnetic tape data recording will be presented. Current state-of-the-art magnetic tape systems will be reviewed, with particular emphasis on fast-access linear designs. Trade-offs with the supporting technologies of recording channels, tape paths, recording and reproduce heads, servo control systems, and the media itself will be discussed. Future developments hold the promise of still lower costs. About the speaker Charlie Farel is vice president of Enterprise Nearline Development for Storage Technology Corporation. He is responsible for developing new tape drives and automated tape library products and solutions for StorageTek's enterprise customers. Since joining StorageTek in 1981, Charlie has held engineering management positions in optical disk, magnetic disk, tape drives and libraries, and advanced technology. Charlie holds degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Minnesota and Stanford University.