Tape head with pattern timing for servo writing application

Abstract

A servo track writer head writes servo tracks on a data storage tape with increased accuracy. The servo track writer head includes a leading writer for each servo track. Each leading writer writes a synchronization field on the tape. The servo track writer head also includes a sequence of trailing writers for each servo track. Each trailing writer produces at least one trailing field on the tape a fixed distance behind the synchronization field. The servo track writer head also includes one timing writer. Each timing writer writes a timing field on the tape at a timing distance in the tape direction from each of the synchronization fields. The servo track writer head also includes a sequence of timing readers corresponding to each timing writer. The number of timing readers in the sequence is equal to the number of trailing writers in the sequence of trailing writers. Each timing reader reads the timing field on the tape written by the corresponding timing writer and generates a signal used to initiate writing of corresponding trailing fields. The positioning of timing readers permits the appropriate fixed distance behind synchronization fields for writing trailing fields to be determined.