Method and arrangement for initiating search for start of data in arcuately recorded data tracks

An arrangement for reading data from data tracks recorded on a recording tape by an arcuate scanner, comprising:

• first azimuth read heads that read data tracks written with a first azimuthal orientation;
• second azimuth read heads that read data tracks written with a second azimuthal orientation, each of the first and second azimuth data tracks having an initial pad area, followed by a start of data indicator, followed by data, the first and second azimuth data tracks being alternately recorded in adjacent arcs on the recording tape wherein a portion of the pad areas written in adjacent first azimuth tracks are spaced near enough to one another to enable a single first azimuth read head to simultaneously read the first azimuth pad areas of the adjacent first azimuth tracks;
• a read channel coupled to the first and second azimuth read heads;
• a timing circuit coupled to the read channel that causes the read channel to initiate searching for the start of data indicator in a particular data track only when the read head having the same azimuth as the data track is in a safe zone of the pad area of that data track, wherein the safe zone of a pad area written on a first azimuth data track is between pad areas written on second azimuth data tracks on either side of the first azimuth data track such that a single first azimuth read head is not able to simultaneously read the first azimuth pad areas of the adjacent first azimuth tracks, and wherein the safe zone of pad area written on a second azimuth data track is between first azimuth pad areas written on the first azimuth data tracks on either side of the second azimuth data track.