Systems, computer implemented methodology, and computer readable media for measuring position error signal differential nonlinearity in timing based servo patterns. A set of two or more reading heads, positioned at various locations along a servo stripe and orientated transverse to the longitudinal motion of the tape, collect PES data concerning servo stripes. A differential between the two reading heads is examined at various locations along the servo stripe of the servo pattern to ascertain differential PES data regarding an area of interests along the servo stripe. Examination of the differential data is thereafter conducted to isolate systematic PES readings from nonsystematic PES readings. The nonlinearity of the systematic PES readings at the various locations along the servo stripe is measured so as provide the ability to compensate for the nonlinear differential PES associated with the non-ideal shape of servo stripes.

An example embodiment provides for an apparatus and method, for use in a tape drive system, that supplies tape azimuth error information transduced from servo read elements that are located on differing bumps of a magnetic read/write head. Non-azimuth error information is also transduced from servo read elements located on a read bump. The azimuth error and non-azimuth are utilized to correctly place the magnetic head at a currently selected track of the tape for which data is being written. In one implementation, the servo read elements utilized for transducing the azimuth information are substantially aligned with each other relative to a tape path and disposed on separate bumps. In another implementation, the servo read elements utilized for transducing the azimuth information are not substantially aligned with each other and are disposed diagonally on opposite bumps.