Systems and methods for synchronization hand shaking in a storage device

A method for synchronizing to a data set, the method comprising:

• receiving a first data set derived from a first read head on a head assembly;
• receiving a second data set derived from a second read head on the head assembly;
• calculating a down track distance between the first read head and the second read head using a down track distance calculation circuit operable to calculate a down track distance between the first read head and the second read head;
• asserting a synchronization mark window based at a location based at least in part on the down track distance;
• querying the first data set derived from the first read head for a synchronization mark occurring within the synchronization mark window;
• and
• query the second data set derived from the second read head for the synchronization mark occurring within the synchronization mark window.

A system for processing a data stream, the system comprising:

• a head assembly including a first read head and a second read head;
• a down track distance calculation circuit operable to calculate a down track distance between the first read head and the second read head;
• a first data path circuit operable to process data derived from the first read head using first switching parameters;
• a second data path circuit operable to process data derived from the second read head using second switching parameters;
• and
• wherein the first switching parameters is independent of the second switching parameters, and wherein the timing of the first switching parameters relative to the second switching parameters corresponds to the down track distance.