The write equalization used on QIC-1350 tape drives cannot yield desired suppressions or boosts on playback. This is attributed to nonlinear distortions in the recording process, such as inadequate write current (or head field) risetimes and the demagnetization field from the preceding recorded transition. In this paper, the effects of the nonlinear distortions on the write equalization will be discussed. Based upon a transition shift model, an adjustable write equalization is presented to compensate for the nonlinear distortions.
