Helical scan tracking system

Abstract

A tracking system for a helical scanning type magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus which records and reproduces signals by a rotating magnetic head in which a tracking error signal is detected, and the feeding amount of the magnetic tape is controlled by a transfer section to accomplish tracking. The transfer of the magnetic tape is controlled so that the average transfer speed of the magnetic tape becomes a specified speed during a period when the rotating magnetic head does not reproduce signals. In particular, the tracking error signal is separated into low band and high band frequency components by a band separating circuit. A first transfer section is controlled by the low band frequency component to accomplish average tracking, and a second transfer section is controlled by the high band frequency component thereby changing the length of the magnetic tape between the rotating drum and the first transfer section. At the same time, while the rotating magnetic head does not reproduce signals, the second transfer section is controlled so that the tracking error signal becomes zero during the initial stage when the rotating magnetic head scans over the recorded track thereby to accomplish more stable tracking.