Characterization of Tape Recorder Flutter in an Airborne Environment

Abstract

While many methods are known for measurement of tape recorder flutter, most are intended for a laboratory environment, or at worst for situations where environment is under positive control. When the tape recorder is placed in a dynamic environment which is the source of the data to be recorded, tape flutter has a significant effect on the data accuracy. This paper describes some of the consequences of such flutter, and a method for separating the effects of flutter in the recording process from those encountered in playback; such information is required for the characterization of airborne tape recorders and for validation of data obtained.