Method of reading and writing data on a magnetic medium

Abstract

A multiple-gap head for transferring data to or from a storage medium is disclosed. Data read by the gaps are directed over a plurality of serial data paths where the data are processed and synchronized. In some embodiments, all or part of a data synchronizer is shared by the serial data paths. The data are then assembled into a parallel data stream for delivery to a computer. Reading the data simultaneously with multiple gaps increases by several times the rate at which data can be transferred to or from a storage medium. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a three-gap head is provided to reduce or eliminate the cross-talk or noise fringe problems which reduce the track density in a storage medium. A signal attenuator and a signal inverter are connected to each of the side gaps and the outputs thereof are summed with the signal originating at the center gap, such that the inverted signals from the side gaps cancel any cross-talk originating at the center gap. Similarly, an attenuator and an inverter are connected between the write data path (leading to the center gap) and each of the side gaps. During write operations the magnetic flux produced at each of the side gaps has the effect of focusing the magnetic flux produced at the center gap, thereby reducing or eliminating the noise fringe of the written data track.