Single data band data storage

A method, comprising:

• formatting a data storage tape for use with a tape head having an array of NE writer transducer elements carried on a substrate for writing tracks of data on the tape, the tape having a top longitudinal edge and a bottom longitudinal edge and a tape width WTape extending between the top and bottom longitudinal edges of the tape, the formatting including forming a plurality of longitudinal regions between the top and bottom longitudinal edges of the tape including:
• forming a top edge guard band of width WEdge positioned adjacent the top longitudinal edge of the tape;
• forming a bottom edge guard band of width WEdge positioned adjacent the bottom longitudinal edge of the tape;
• forming a top servo band of width WSB positioned adjacent the top guard band of the tape;
• forming a bottom servo band of width WSB positioned adjacent the bottom guard band of the tape;
• and
• forming space for a single data band of width WDB positioned between the top and bottom servo bands and configured to receive tracks of data written by the tape head controlled by the top and bottom servo bands wherein the data band width WDB extends over most of the tape width WTape.

A computer program product for formatting a data storage tape for use with a tape head having an array of NE writer transducer elements carried on a substrate for writing tracks of data on the tape, the tape having a top longitudinal edge and a bottom longitudinal edge and a tape width WTape extending between the top and bottom longitudinal edges of the tape, wherein the computer program product comprises a computer readable storage medium, implemented in a tape formatting system, having computer readable program code embodied therein that when executed performs operations, the operations comprising:

• forming a plurality of longitudinal regions between the top and bottom longitudinal edges of the tape including:
• forming a top edge guard band of width WEdge positioned adjacent the top longitudinal edge of the tape;
• forming a bottom edge guard band of width WEdge positioned adjacent the bottom longitudinal edge of the tape;
• forming a top servo band of width WSB positioned adjacent the top guard band of the tape;
• forming a bottom servo band of width WSB positioned adjacent the bottom guard band of the tape;
• and
• forming space for a single data band of width WDB positioned between the top and bottom servo bands and configured to receive tracks of data written by the tape head controlled by the top and bottom servo bands wherein the data band width WDB extends over most of the tape width WTape.