In one general embodiment, an apparatus includes a module having a tape bearing surface and an array of write transducers extending along the tape bearing surface. Each write transducer has a first write pole having a pole tip extending from a media facing side of the first write pole, a second write pole having a pole tip extending from a media facing side of the second write pole, a nonmagnetic write gap between the pole tips of the write poles, and a high moment layer between the pole tips of the write poles. The high moment layer has a higher magnetic moment than a magnetic moment of the pole tip of the second write pole. The tape bearing surface of the module has patterning, and/or a first tape tenting region where each write transducer is positioned in the first tape tenting region.

A data storage device or disk drive may include a plurality of regulators, a first voltage rail associated with a first regulator of the plurality of regulators, a second voltage rail associated with a second regulator of the plurality of regulators, wherein a switching frequency of the second regulator is greater than a switching frequency of the first regulator, the first voltage rail is associated with a higher voltage than the second voltage rail, or a combination thereof. The data storage device may include one or more processing devices configured to: determine a minimum switching frequency, identify a start time of a switching cycle for the first regulator, based at least in part on determining the minimum switching frequency; and, at or near the start time of the new switching cycle, couple the first regulator to the second regulator to initiate the switching cycle.

For avoiding debris accumulation on a tape drive, a processor records a position error signal (PES) value and cumulative head turnaround count for each region of a plurality of regions of a magnetic tape. The processor further selects a first region in which to reverse travel of the magnetic tape relative to a tape head. In response to determining one of the PES value for the first region does not exceed a PES threshold and the cumulative head turnaround count for the first region does not exceed a count threshold, the processor reverses travel of the magnetic tape at the first region. In response to determining the PES value for the first region exceeds the PES threshold and the cumulative head turnaround count for the first region exceeds the count threshold, the processor selects a second region at which to reverse travel of the magnetic tape.

For avoiding debris accumulation on a tape drive, a processor records a position error signal (PES) value and cumulative head turnaround count for each region of a plurality of regions of a magnetic tape. The processor further selects a first region in which to reverse travel of the magnetic tape relative to a tape head. In response to determining one of the PES value for the first region does not exceed a PES threshold and the cumulative head turnaround count for the first region does not exceed a count threshold, the processor reverses travel of the magnetic tape at the first region. In response to determining the PES value for the first region exceeds the PES threshold and the cumulative head turnaround count for the first region exceeds the count threshold, the processor selects a second region at which to reverse travel of the magnetic tape.

An apparatus, computer readable medium device, and method for controlling transportation of a tape medium. A determination is made whether to execute a backhitch operation in response to writing a data set to tape from the buffer. If not, a determination is made whether a transaction size at which data is transferred from the buffer to the tape is less than a buffer size. If so, then a determination is made of a a new speed and whether a current speed is different from the determined new speed. If so, then a backhitch is initiated.

Each of segment of a recording is analyzed for complexity specifying a rate of speech at a normal playback speech. A target rate is selected at which to playback the recording, the target rate specifying a fastest optimal speed at which a particular user listening to the recording is able to comprehend the playback. During playback of the recording, a separate adjusted playback rate is selected for each of the segments to adjust the playback rate of speech from the rate of speech at the normal playback speed to the target rate.