Patent ID: 7551378

Claim:
A method of writing timing-based servo band patterns on a linear magnetic tape, said method comprising: passing said tape over a magnetic head to write a magnetic servo band pattern onto said tape, wherein said magnetic servo band pattern is written onto said tape during a write sequence by performing a gap recording process comprising simultaneously writing with first and second angled write elements of said magnetic head such that said magnetic servo band pattern comprises a first pattern section of parallel bands symmetrical to a second pattern section of parallel bands; and controlling said magnetic head, wherein said controlling of said magnetic head comprises: controlling said magnetic head with a tri-state driver such that there are three magnetic head states, wherein said three magnetic head states comprise a negative current write state, a positive current write state and a rest state; and controlling said magnetic head during said write sequence such that write current outputs from said magnetic head comprises abruptly alternating negative and positive currents and such that approximately uniform alternating positive and negative read-back signals are produced upon playback of said magnetic servo band pattern, wherein said controlling of said magnetic head during said write sequence further is performed so as to avoid half-amplitude pulses at the beginning and end of said playback of said magnetic servo band pattern.