Hybrid servo pattern configurations for magnetic tape

A product, comprising:

• a magnetic tape having a plurality of servo bands,
• wherein each of the servo bands includes a high density servo pattern and two timing based servo patterns,
• wherein a longitudinal axis of each of the two timing based servo patterns is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the high density servo pattern,
• wherein a combined width of the high density servo pattern and one of the two timing based servo patterns in a given servo band is less than or equal to two thirds of a prespecified width of each of the servo bands,
• wherein the combined width and the prespecified width are each measured in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the magnetic tape.

A computer program product for positioning a magnetic head, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, wherein the computer readable storage medium is not a transitory signal per se, the program instructions executable by a tape drive to cause the tape drive to perform a method comprising:

• using, by the tape drive, information read from one or more servo bands on a magnetic tape to position a magnetic tape head relative to the magnetic tape,
• wherein an array of data transducers is positioned along the magnetic tape head, the array extending perpendicular to a direction of travel of the magnetic tape,
• wherein a group of servo readers is positioned at each end of the array of data transducers,
• wherein a distance between each of the immediately adjacent servo readers in each of the groups of servo readers is less than or equal to one third of a prespecified width of each of the servo bands,
• wherein the distance between each of the servo readers in each of the groups and the prespecified width are both measured in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the magnetic tape.