Data storage device employing embedded servo sectors for magnetic tape

A data storage device configured to access a magnetic tape comprising a plurality of data tracks, wherein each data track comprises a plurality of data segments and a plurality of servo sectors, the data storage device comprising:

• a plurality of heads configured to concurrent access a plurality of the data tracks;
• and
• control circuitry configured to:
• use the heads to read a plurality of the servo sectors to generate a plurality of read signals;
• process each read signal to generate a position error signal (PES) for each head relative to the magnetic tape;
• and
• measure a stretch of the magnetic tape based on the PES generated for each head.

A data storage device configured to access a magnetic tape comprising a plurality of data tracks, wherein each data track comprises a plurality of data segments and a plurality of servo sectors, the data storage device comprising:

• a plurality of heads configured to concurrent access a plurality of the data tracks;
• and
• control circuitry configured to:
• use the heads to read a plurality of the servo sectors to generate a plurality of read signals;
• process the plurality of read signals to detect a component of a segment counter in each servo sector;
• and
• combine the detected components to generate the segment counter representing a longitudinal position of the heads along a length of the tape.

A data storage device configured to access a magnetic tape comprising a plurality of data tracks, wherein each data track comprises a plurality of data segments and a plurality of servo sectors, the data storage device comprising:

• at least one head comprising a read element configured to access the magnetic tape;
• and
• control circuitry configured to:
• use the read element of the head to read one of the servo sectors to generate a first read signal;
• process the first read signal to generate a position error signal (PES) of the head relative to the magnetic tape;
• position the head relative to the magnetic tape based on the PES of the head;
• use the read element of the head to read one of the data segments to generate a second read signal;
• and
• process the second read signal to detect user data recorded in the data segment,
• wherein the servo sectors are written laterally across substantially an entire width of the magnetic tape at an angle in a range of 1 degree to 90 degrees.