AS 3602-1988

1 - AS 3602-1988 INFORMATION PROCESSING-DATA INTERCHANGE ON 12.7 mm WIDE MAGNETIC TAPE CARTRIDGES-18 TRACKS, 1491 DATA BYTES PER
4 - PREFACE
5 - Contents
8 - Section 1: General
8 - 1.1 Scope
8 - 1.2 Conformance
8 - 1.3 Normative references
8 - 1.4 Definitions
8 - 1.4.1 Average Signal Amplitude:
8 - 1.4.2 back surface:
8 - 1.4.3 byte:
8 - 1.4.4 cartridge:
8 - 1.4.5 Cyclic Redundancy Check Character:
8 - 1.4.6 data density:
8 - 1.4.7 Error Correcting Code:
8 - 1.4.8 flux transition position:
8 - 1.4.9 flux transition spacing:
8 - 1.4.10 magnetic tape:
9 - 1.4.11 Master Standard Reference Tape:
9 - 1.4.12 physical recording density:
9 - 1.4.13 Postamble:
9 - 1.4.14 Preamble:
9 - 1.4.15 Reference Field:
9 - 1.4.16 Secondary Standard Reference Tape:
9 - 1.4.17 Standard Reference Amplitude:
9 - 1.4.18 Standard Reference Current:
9 - 1.4.19 Test Recording Current:
9 - 1.4.20 track:
9 - 1.4.21 Typical Field:
9 - 1.5 Environment and safety
9 - 1.5.1 Cartridge/tape testing environment
9 - 1.5.2 Cartridge operation environment
9 - 1.5.3 Cartridge storage environment
9 - 1.5.4 Safety requirements
9 - 1.5.5 Transportation
10 - Section 2: Tape requirements
10 - 2.1 Characteristics of the tape
10 - 2.1.1 Material
10 - 2.1.2 Tape length
10 - 2.1.3 Tape width
10 - 2.1.4 Tape discontinuity
10 - 2.1.5 Total thickness of tape
10 - 2.1.6 Base material thickness
10 - 2.1.7 Longitudinal curvature
10 - 2.1.8 Out-of-plane distortions
10 - 2.1.9 Cupping
10 - 2.1.10 Dynamic frictional characteristics
11 - 2.1.11 Coating adhesion
11 - 2.1.12 Flexural rigidity
12 - 2.1.13 Electrical resistance of coated surfaces
12 - 2.1.14 Tape durability
12 - 2.1.15 Inhibitor tape
12 - 2.1.16 Tape abrasivity
12 - 2.1.17 Pre-recording condition
12 - 2.1.18 Magnetic recording characteristics
14 - 2.1.19 Tape quality
15 - Section 3: Cartridge requirements
15 - 3.1 Dimensional and mechanical characteristics of the cartridge
15 - 3.1.1 Overall dimensions (figures 4 to 6)
15 - 3.1.2 Write-inhibit mechanism (figures 4 and 5)
15 - 3.1.3 Label area of the rear side (figures 5 and 6)
16 - 3.1.4 Label area of the top side (figure 5)
16 - 3.1.5 Case opening (figures 4, 5, 7 and 9)
16 - 3.1.6 Locating notches (figures 7, 8 and 10)
16 - 3.1.7 Locating areas (figure 7)
16 - 3.1.8 Inside configuration of the case around the case opening (figures 7 and 11)
16 - 3.1.9 Other external dimensions of the case (figure 8)
16 - 3.1.10 Central window (figure 7)
17 - 3.1.11 Stacking ribs
17 - 3.1.12 Flexibility of the case
17 - 3.1.13 Tape reel (figures 12 and 13)
18 - 3.1.14 Leader block (figure 15)
19 - 3.1.15 Attachment of the tape to the leader block (figure 16)
19 - 3.1.16 Latching mechanism (figure 17)
19 - 3.1.17 Tape wind
19 - 3.1.18 Wind tension
19 - 3.1.19 Circumference of the tape reel
19 - 3.1.20 Moment of inertia
26 - Section 4: Recording requirements
26 - 4.1 Method of recording
26 - 4.1.1 Physical recording density
26 - 4.1.2 Bit cell length
26 - 4.1.3 Average bit cell length
26 - 4.1.4 Long-term average bit cell length
26 - 4.1.5 Short-term average bit cell length
26 - 4.1.6 Rate of change
26 - 4.1.7 Bit shift
26 - 4.1.8 Total character skew
26 - 4.1.9 Read signal amplitude
26 - 4.1.10 Coincident missing pulses
26 - 4.2 Track format
26 - 4.2.1 Number of tracks
26 - 4.2.2 Reference Edge
27 - 4.2.3 Track positions
27 - 4.2.4 Track width
27 - 4.2.5 Azimuth
27 - 4.3 Data format
27 - 4.3.1 Types of bytes
28 - 4.3.2 Frame
29 - 4.3.3 Data block
31 - 4.3.4 Error Correcting Code ( ECC)
33 - 4.3.5 Recording of 8-bit bytes on the tape
33 - 4.3.6 Recorded Data Block
33 - 4.3.7 Data density
34 - 4.4 Tape format
34 - 4.4.1 Density Identification Burst
34 - 4.4.2 ID Separator Burst
34 - 4.4.3 Interblock Gaps
35 - 4.4.4 Erase Gaps
35 - 4.4.5 Tape Marks
35 - 4.4.6 Relation between Interblock Gaps, Erase Gaps and Tape Marks
36 - 4.4.7 First and last recording on the tape
36 - 4.4.8 Summary of th e tape format
38 - Annex A - Recommendations for transportation
38 - A.1 Environment
38 - A.1.1 Unrecorded cartridges
38 - A.1.2 Recorded cartridges
38 - A.2 Hazards
38 - A.2.1 Impact loads and vibration
38 - A.2.2 Extremes of temperature and humidity
38 - A.2.3 Effects of stray magnetic fields
38 - Annex B - Inhibitor tape
39 - Annex C - Tape abrasivity measurement procedure
39 - C.1 General
39 - C.2 Test fixture
39 - C.3 Procedure
41 - Annex D - Recommendations on tape durability
41 - D.1 Short-length durability/reliability
41 - D.2 Long-length durability/reliability
42 - Annex E - Pre-recording condition
42 - E.1 Explanation
42 - E.2 Procedure
43 - Annex F - Representation of 8-bit bytes by 9-bit patterns
46 - Annex G - Measurement of bit shift
46 - G.1 Read equipment
46 - G.2 Measurement
46 - G.3 Data Analysis
48 - Annex H - Dimensions of the cartridge

This Standard specifies the physical and magnetic characteristics of a 12.7 mm wide, 18-track magnetic tape cartridge to enable interchangeability of such cartridges. It also specifies a format and recording method thus allowing, together with AS 1068 for magnetic tape labelling, full data interchange by means of such magnetic tape cartridges. This Standard is identical with ISO 9661:1988.

This International Standard specifies the physical and magnetic characteristics of a 12,7 mm (0.5 in) wide, 18-track magnetic tape cartridge to enable interchangeability of such cartridges. It also specifies a format and recording method thus allowing, together with ISO 1001 for magnetic tape labelling, full data interchange by means of such magnetic tape cartridges.NOTE - Numeric values in the SI and/or Imperial measurement system in this International Standard may have been rounded off and therefore are consistent with, but not exactly equal to, each other. Either system may be used, but the two should be neither intermixed nor reconverted. The original design was made using SI units.