Apparatus, system, and method for an "m" servo pattern

An apparatus to read an “M” servo pattern on a magnetic tape, the apparatus comprising:

• a servo read module configured to read an “M” pattern servo mark on a servo track of a magnetic tape configured to store data, the “M” pattern servo mark created by a servo pattern write module configured to simultaneously create a first servo mark, a second servo mark, a third servo mark, and a fourth servo mark, wherein
• the first, second, third, and fourth servo marks are substantially linear and are substantially the same length;
• the first and third servo marks are positioned with a forward slope comprising first and third legs of the “M” pattern;
• the second and fourth servo marks are positioned with a backward slope comprising second and fourth legs of the “M” pattern;
• and
• distances between center points of the first and second servo marks, second and third servo marks, and third and fourth servo marks are substantially the same;
• and
• a servo position module configured to reposition a data head assembly in response to position information received by the servo read module, the data head assembly comprising one of at least one read head configured to read data from the magnetic tape and at least one write head configured to write data to the magnetic tape.

A system to create an “M” servo pattern on a magnetic tape, the system comprising:

• a tape formatting device comprising a tape drive module configured to move a magnetic tape from a first reel to a second reel and a servo pattern write module configured to simultaneously create a first servo mark, a second servo mark, a third servo mark, and a fourth servo mark in an “M” servo pattern on the magnetic tape, the magnetic tape configured to store data, wherein
• the first, second, third, and fourth servo marks are substantially linear and are substantially the same length;
• the first and third servo marks are positioned with a forward slope comprising first and third legs of the “M” pattern;
• the second and fourth servo marks are positioned with a backward slope comprising second and fourth legs of the “M” pattern;
• and
• distances between center points of the first and second servo marks, second and third servo marks, and third and fourth servo marks are substantially the same.

A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer usable program code programmed for creating an “M” servo pattern on a magnetic tape, the operations of the computer program product comprising:

• simultaneously creating at least one servo track comprising a plurality of “M” pattern servo marks on a magnetic tape configured to store data, the “M” pattern servo mark comprising a first servo mark, a second servo mark, a third servo mark, and a fourth servo mark in an “M” servo pattern, wherein
• the first, second, third, and fourth servo marks are substantially linear and are substantially the same length;
• the first and third servo marks are positioned with a forward slope comprising first and third legs of the “M” pattern;
• the second and fourth servo marks are positioned with a backward slope comprising second and fourth legs of the “M” pattern;
• and
• distances between center points of the first and second servo marks, second and third servo marks, and third and fourth servo marks are substantially the same.