Method for writing a tri-phase servo pattern which provides information for positioning the transducers of a magnetic storage device

Servo data, including three types of servo patterns distinguishable by phase, are stored in concentric servo tracks on a magnetic information storage disk. Each servo track includes a plurality of only one type of pattern, with consecutive tracks arranged in a repeating sequence of the three servo pattern types. For phase recognition, the pattern types further are arranged in a repeating sequence of angular sectors, each sector having a plurality of but one type of pattern. The servo patterns in a given storage track thus are always angularly offset from the servo patterns in the next adjacent tracks. This permits the use of servo patterns having a radial dimension greater than the separation between adjacent tracks, increasing servo signal reliability and transducer dynamic range.