In one example, a dual source tracking servo system includes a head
assembly having a data transducer, a primary position detector for
sensing the position of a magnetically stored data track, and a secondary
position detector for sensing the position of a fixed reference
associated with a magnetic storage medium. A controller is configured for
adjusting the position of the head assembly in response to a weighted
average of the sensed position of the magnetically stored data track and
the fixed reference, wherein the position of the magnetically stored data
track is weighted more than the position of the fixed reference. The
primary position detector may include one or more dedicated servo read
elements associated with the head assembly and the secondary position
detector may include a magnetic or optical sensor. The fixed reference
may include a tape edge or servo track.