Tape head wafer design for multiple formats using same tape

A tape head adapted to 32-, 64-, and 128-channel operation, comprising:

• a plurality of elements numbering NE, comprising first and second sets of 64 evenly-spaced elements, each set comprising at least a first element, a last element, and a second-to-last element;
• and
• a plurality of servos, comprising at least a first through sixth servo, wherein
• the 64 evenly-spaced elements of each set are separated by an element pitch (WEP),
• the first element of the first set and the first servo are separated by a first distance (WSE.Long),
• the first element of the first set and the second servo are separated by a second distance (WSE.Short),
• the second-to-last element of the first set and the third servo are separate by the second distance (WSE.Short),
• the last element of the first set and the fourth servo are separate by the second distance (WSE.Short),
• the first element of second set and the third servo are separate by the first distance (WSE.Long),
• the first element of second set and the fourth servo are separate by the second distance (WSE.Short),
• the second-to-last element of the second set and the fifth servo are separate by the second distance (WSE.Short),
• the last element of the second set and the sixth servo are separate by the second distance (WSE.Short),
• the first servo and the third servo are separated by a third distance equal to 2·WSE.Short+(NE−1)·WEP64, wherein WEP64≡WEP,
• the second servo and the fourth servo are separated by the third distance,
• the third servo and the fifth servo are separated by the third distance, and
• the fourth servo and the sixth servo are separated by the third distance.

A method of accessing a tape medium, the method comprising:

• receiving a tape medium at a tape head, the tape medium having a plurality of servo bands, the tape head comprising:
• a plurality of elements numbering NE, comprising 64 evenly-spaced elements, comprising at least a first element, a last element, and a second-to-last element;
• and
• a plurality of servos, comprising at least a first through fourth servo, wherein
• the 64 evenly-spaced elements of each set are separated by an element pitch (WEP),
• the first element and the first servo are separated by a first distance (WSE.Long),
• the first element and the second servo are separated by a second distance (WSE.Short),
• the second-to-last element and the third servo are separate by the second distance (WSE.Short),
• the last element and the fourth servo are separate by the second distance (WSE.Short),
• the first servo and the third servo are separated by a third distance equal to 2·WSE.Short+(NE−1)·WEP64, wherein WEP64≡WEP, and
• the second servo and the fourth servo are separated by the third distance;
• and
• aligning each of the plurality of servo bands to at least one of the plurality of elements.

A method of accessing a tape medium, the method comprising:

• receiving a tape medium at a tape head, the tape medium having a plurality of servo bands, the tape head comprising:
• a plurality of elements numbering NE, comprising first and second sets of 64 evenly-spaced elements, each set comprising at least a first element, a last element, and a second-to-last element;
• and
• a plurality of servos, comprising at least a first through sixth servo, wherein
• the 64 evenly-spaced elements of each set are separated by an element pitch (WEP),
• the first element of the first set and the first servo are separated by a first distance (WSE.Long),
• the first element of the first set and the second servo are separated by a second distance (WSE.Short),
• the second-to-last element of the first set and the third servo are separate by the second distance (WSE.Short),
• the last element of the first set and the fourth servo are separate by the second distance (WSE.Short),
• the first element of second set and the third servo are separate by the first distance (WSE.Long),
• the first element of second set and the fourth servo are separate by the second distance (WSE.Short),
• the second-to-last element of the second set and the fifth servo are separate by the second distance (WSE.Short),
• the last element of the second set and the sixth servo are separate by the second distance (WSE.Short),
• the first servo and the third servo are separated by a third distance equal to 2·WSE.Short+(NE−1)·WEP64, wherein WEP64≡WEP,
• the second servo and the fourth servo are separated by the third distance,
• the third servo and the fifth servo are separated by the third distance, and
• the fourth servo and the sixth servo are separated by the third distance;
• and
• aligning each of the plurality of servo bands to at least one of the plurality of elements.