An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a module having a tape bearing surface, a first edge, and a second edge. A sensor is located in a thin film region of the module. The sensor has a free layer. A distance from the first edge to the free layer is less than a distance from the second edge to the free layer. A method according to another embodiment includes detecting a distance between a free layer of a sensor and an edge closest thereto. The free layer is positioned between an upper shield and the edge. A wrap angle is selected based on the detected distance for inducing tenting of a magnetic recording tape in a region above the free layer when the magnetic recording tape moves over the module.

A data storage device may have increased signal-to-noise ratio contact detection by employing a transducing head associated with a data storage medium each connected to a controller. The transducing head can have an alternating current heater excited to a first frequency for a first revolution of the data storage medium and to a different second frequency for a second revolution of the data storage medium. The second frequency may produce lateral transducing head motion as a result of physical contact of the transducing head with the data storage medium. The controller can issue a contact status in response to comparing a first plurality of position error signals logged during the first frequency to a second plurality of position error signals logged during the second frequency.

The present disclosure generally relates to a tape embedded drive having a head-gimbal assembly (HGA) and a contact plate. By using a support structure or contact plate beneath the tape, read and write heads can be designed to be narrower than the tape. The support structure or contact plate can stretch or relax the tape so that the spacing between servo tracks on the tape corresponds to the servo to servo spacing on the head. HGAs, which are narrower than the tape, can fly over the tape and read data from and write data to the tape. The HGA can have a single head or multiple heads. Additionally, multiple independent head assemblies can also be used for reading from and writing to the same tape.

An external servo writer configured to write a plurality of embedded servo sectors on a magnetic tape to define a plurality of data tracks is disclosed. A first part of the plurality of embedded servo sectors is written while controlling an actuator to first move a head vertically along a width of the magnetic tape. A second part of the plurality of embedded servo sectors is written while controlling the actuator to second move the head vertically along the width of the magnetic tape.

The present disclosure generally relates to a tape embedded drive having a head-gimbal assembly (HGA) and a contact plate. By using a support structure or contact plate beneath the tape, read and write heads can be designed to be narrower than the tape. The support structure or contact plate can stretch or relax the tape so that the spacing between servo tracks on the tape corresponds to the servo to servo spacing on the head. HGAs, which are narrower than the tape, can fly over the tape and read data from and write data to the tape. The HGA can have a single head or multiple heads. Additionally, multiple independent head assemblies can also be used for reading from and writing to the same tape.

The present disclosure generally relates to a tape embedded drive having a head-gimbal assembly (HGA) and a contact plate. By using a support structure or contact plate beneath the tape, read and write heads can be designed to be narrower than the tape. The support structure or contact plate can stretch or relax the tape so that the spacing between servo tracks on the tape corresponds to the servo to servo spacing on the head. HGAs, which are narrower than the tape, can fly over the tape and read data from and write data to the tape. The HGA can have a single head or multiple heads. Additionally, multiple independent head assemblies can also be used for reading from and writing to the same tape.

The present disclosure generally relates to a tape embedded drive having a head-gimbal assembly (HGA) and a contact plate. By using a support structure or contact plate beneath the tape, read and write heads can be designed to be narrower than the tape. The support structure or contact plate can stretch or relax the tape so that the spacing between servo tracks on the tape corresponds to the servo to servo spacing on the head. HGAs, which are narrower than the tape, can fly over the tape and read data from and write data to the tape. The HGA can have a single head or multiple heads. Additionally, multiple independent head assemblies can also be used for reading from and writing to the same tape.

An external servo writer configured to write a plurality of embedded servo sectors on a magnetic tape to define a plurality of data tracks is disclosed. A first part of the plurality of embedded servo sectors is written while controlling an actuator to first move a head vertically along a width of the magnetic tape. A second part of the plurality of embedded servo sectors is written while controlling the actuator to second move the head vertically along the width of the magnetic tape.

A data storage device is disclosed comprising at least one head configured to access a magnetic tape comprising a plurality of data tracks, wherein each data track comprises a plurality of data segments and a plurality of servo sectors. The head is used to read one of the servo sectors to generate a first read signal. The first read signal is processed to generate a position error signal (PES) of the head relative to the magnetic tape, wherein the head is positioned relative to the magnetic tape based on the PES. The head is used to read one of the data segments to generate a second read signal, wherein the second read signal is processed to detect user data recorded in the data segment.

A tape embedded drive can include tape media for storing data, a first tape reel and a second tape reel, each coupled to one end of the tape media, and a head stack assembly (HSA). The HSA can include a first head assembly having at least one read head and one write head and a second head assembly having a non-operable head incapable of reading or writing. In an embodiment, the first head assembly is configured to be placed along a first side of the tape media and the second head assembly with the non-operable head is configured to be placed along a second side of the tape media opposite the first side of the tape media.