Tracking error detection circuit of magnetic recording and reproduction

Abstract

A tracking error detecting circuit in which tracking error detecting pilot signals having different frequencies are added to a main signal every track and recorded onto a magnetic recording medium, and upon reproduction, reproduction output levels of the pilot signals reproduced as crosstalks from both of adjacent tracks are compared, and a tracking error is detected. n signals having the same frequencies as those of the pilot signals and whose phases are different are generated and multiplied to the reproduction signal. Unnecessary components are eliminated by n LPFs (Lowpass filters). The amplitude values of the reproduced pilot signals are vector separated and detected. Further, the vector separated amplitude values are vector synthesized and detected. Therefore, by multiplying the signals having the same frequencies as those of the pilot signals, the synchronous detection is performed. The influence due to the undetected pilot phases is solved by detecting by performing the vector separation and synthesis. Therefore, the amplitude values can be certainly detected by the synchronous detection. The signal to noise ratio of the reproduction pilot signals can be determined by the LPFs (lowpass filters). Even in the case of a bad transmission signal to noise ratio of the reproduction pilot signals which could not be coped by the conventional construction, the amplitude values can be certainly detected.