Patent ID: 7466510

Claim:
A system comprising: a read head array arranged in a two-dimensional matrix that includes a first servo read head, a second servo read head, and a plurality of data read heads positioned between the first servo read head and the second servo read head, wherein the read head array detects a servo signal when applied to a data storage medium that includes a first servo band, a second servo band, and a plurality of data tracks positioned between the first servo band and the second servo band, wherein each of the plurality of data read heads is capable of detecting the servo signal; and a control unit coupled to the read head array, wherein the control unit determines an initial position of the read head array based on the detected servo signal and moves the read head array relative to the data storage medium based on the initial position such that the first servo read head and a second servo read head can detect signals from the first servo band and second servo band respectively.