Method and apparatus for pre-recording tracking information on magnetic media

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A method and apparatus for initializing a data-recording media, particularly tape by use of the, same type of media drive used for data-recording purposes in which the actual edge of the recordable field on the media is first located by a test read/write process and the media is then transported in a succession of passes across the transducing head, during each of which the head is periodically and selectively energized to write mutuallyspaced marker bursts and servo-positioning bursts with, the transducing head being moved open-loop a distance corresponding to a half-track width between each media transport. During the first such pass, the marker bursts and servo-positioning bursts are …