The design of a magnetic-recording-tape transport for very-high timing accuracy

This paper describes a magnetic-recording-tape transport capable of very-high timing accuracy and speed stability. In the magnetic recording and playback of wideband information, minimum frequency distortion and accurate timing are essential properties of the system. The time scale of the output information depends almost entirely on the tape transport and its associated control. First, this paper discusses certain general features which are essential in a high-accuracy tape transport, then it presents the design of a pulse-type servo control system which is capable of controlling instantaneous tape velocity with very high precision.