Abstract: A system and method for encoding a servo address in a disk drive system having at least one disk for storing data is disclosed. A servo address associated with a sector in a track, or cylinder, on a surface of a disk and comprised of a sector number, a track number, and in multiple disk systems, a head number is encoded into the encoded servo address. Encoding the servo address saves disk storage space because the encoded servo address uses fewer bits than a conventional servo address while still enabling the disk drive system to verify the location of any sector.

Abstract: A servo address is encoded in a disk drive system having at least one disk for storing data. A servo address associated with a sector in a track, or cylinder, on a surface of a disk and comprised of a sector number, a track number, and in multiple disk systems, a head number is encoded into the encoded servo address. Encoding the servo address saves disk storage space because the encoded servo address uses fewer bits than a conventional servo address while still enabling the disk drive system to locate positions on the disk.