BS ISO/IEC 11321:1992

Section 1: General
1. Scope
2. Conformance
2.1 Magnetic tape cartridge
2.2 Generating system
2.3 Receiving system
3. Normative references
4. Definitions
4.1 Absolute Frame Number (AFN)
4.2 AC erase
4.3 Area ID
4.4 Automatic Track Finding (ATF)
4.5 Average Signal Amplitude
4.6 azimuth
4.7 back surface
4.8 byte
4.9 cartridge
4.10 Channel bit
4.11 Data Format ID
4.12 End of Data (EOD)
4.13 End of Information (EOI)
4.14 End of Partition (EOP)
4.15 Error Correcting Code (ECC)
4.16 flux transition position
4.17 flux transition spacing
4.18 frame
4.19 group
4.20 Logical Beginning of Tape (I.BOT)
4.21 Logical End of Tape (LEOT)
4.22 magnetic tape
4.23 Master reference
4.24 Master Standard Amplitude Calibration Tape
4.25 Master Standard Reference Tape
4.26 optimum recording field
4.27 partition
4.28 partition references
4.29 Physical Beginning of Tape (PBOT)
4.30 Physical End of Tape (PEOT)
4.31 physical recording density
4.32 pre-recording condition (maximum recorded levels)
4.33 record
4.34 Reference Recording Field
4.35 Secondary Standard Amplitude Calibration Tape
4.36 Secondary Standard Reference Tape
4.37 separator
4.38 Standard Reference Amplitude
4.39 tape noise amplitude
4.40 Tape Reference Edge
4.41 track
5. Environment and safety; Testing environment;
        Operating environment; Storage environment;
        Transportation; Safety; Flammability
Section 2: Requirements for the case
6. Dimensional and mechanical characteristics of the
        case
6.1 General
6.2 Overall dimensions (figures 6 and 7)
6.3 Loading grip (figure 6)
6.4 Holding areas (figure 6)
6.5 Notches of the lid (figures 5 and 8)
6.6 Lid dimensions (figures 6 to 8)
6.7 Optical detection of the beginning and end of
        tape (figure 9 and 12)
6.8 Bottom side (figures 10 and 11)
6.8.1 Locking mechanism of the slider
6.8.2 Access holes
6.8.3 Recognition, sub-datum and write inhibit holes
6.8.4 Datum holes
6.8.5 Access room for tape guides
6.8.6 Holes for accessing the hubs
6.8.8 Light path (figure 12)
6.8.9 Support areas (figure 13)
6.8.10 Datum areas (figure 13)
6.8.11 Relationship between support and Datum Areas and
        Reference Plane Z (figure 14)
6.9 Hubs (figures 15,16)
6.10 Leader and trailer attachment
6.11 Interface between hubs and drive spindles (fig.17)
6.12 Opening of the lid (fig.18)
6.13 Release of the hub locking mechanism (figs.19,20)
6.14 Lable area (figs.21,22)
Section 3: Requirements for the unrecorded tape
7. Mechanical, physical and dimensional
        characteristics of the tape
7.1 Materials
7.2 Tape length
7.2.1 Length of magnetic tape
7.2.2 Length of leader and trailer tapes
7.3 Tape width
7.4 Discontinuities
7.5 Total thickness
7.6 Longitudinal curvature
7.7 Cupping
7.8 Coating adhesion
7.9 Layer-to-layer adhesion
7.10 Tensile strength
7.10.1 Breaking strength
7.10.2 Yield strength
7.11 Residual elongation
7.12 Electrical resistance of coated surfaces
7.13 Light transmittance of tape
Section 8: Magnetic recording characteristics
8.1 Optimum recording field
8.2 Signal Amplitude
8.3 Resolution
8.4 Overwrite
8.4.1 Physical Recording Densities of 750,6 and
        3 002 ftpmm
8.4.2 Physical recording densities of 83,4 ftpmm and
        1 001 ftpmm
8.5 Ease of erasure
8.6 Tape quality
8.6.1 Missing pulses
8.6.2 Missing pulse zone
8.7 Signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) characteristic
Section 4: Format
9. DATA/DAT format
9.1 General
9.2 Basic Groups
9.2.1 Basic Groups for Group Format 0
9.2.2 Basic Groups for Group Format 1
9.3 Sub-Groups
9.3.1 to 9.3.4 G1 to G4 Sub-groups
9.3.5 Main Data Block
9.4 Sub-Data area
9.4.1 to 9.4.7 Pack Item Nos. 1 to 7
9.4.8 Sub Data Block
9.5 Basic Group structure
9.5.1 User Data
9.5.2 System Data
9.5.3 Record ID list
9.5.4 Heuristic Recovery Data Area
10. Method of recording
10.1 Physical recording density
10.2 Long-Term average bit cell length
10.3 Short-Term average bit cell length
10.4 Rate of change
10.5 Bit shift
10.6 Read signal amplitude
10.7 Maximum recorded levels
11. Track geometry
11.1 Track configuration
11.2 Average track pitch
11.3 Variations of the track pitch
11.4 Track width
11.5 Track angle
11.6 Track edge linearity
11.7 Track length
11.8 Ideal tape centreline
11.9 Azimuth angles
12. Recording of blocks on the tape
12.1 Recorded Main Data Block
12.2 Recorded Sub Data Block
12.3 Margin Blocks, Preamble Blocks and Postamble Blocks
12.4 Spacer Blocks
13. Format of a track
13.1 Track capacity
13.2 Positioning accuracy
13.3 Tracking scheme
14. Group Formats
14.1 Group Format 0
14.2 Group Format 1
14.3 Extended Gap Frames
14.3.1 Extended Leading Gap Frames
14.3.2 Extended Trailing Gap Frames
14.4 Types of Groups
14.4.1 Normal Groups
14.4.2 Spare Groups
14.4.3 Amble Groups
15. Magnetic tape layout
15.1 Load/Unload Area
15.2 Lead-in Area
15.2.1 Preamble
15.2.2 Header
15.2.3 Format Parameter Set
15.2.4 Master Reference
15.2.5 Postamble
15.3 Partition
15.3.1 Partition Preamble
15.3.2 Partition Reference
15.3.3 Partition Postamble
15.3.4 Partition Data
15.3.5 End of Partition (EOP)
15.3.6 Unused Area
15.4 EOI
15.5 Repeated Groups
15.6 Repeated Frames within a Normal Group
15.7 Relocation of Defective Groups
15.8 Appending
15.8.1 Seamless appending
15.8.2 Non-seamless appending
15.9 Overwrite (figure 83)
15.9.1 Overlapped track width
15.9.2 Non-overlapped track width
15.9.3 Rules for overwrite
Numerous annexes

Specifies the magnetic and physical characteristics of a 3,81mm wide magnetic tape cartridge to enable interchangeability of such cartridges. Also specifies the quality of the recorded signals, recording method and the format. Coverage includes conformance, definitions and track geometry.

This International Standard specifies the physical and magnetic characteristics of a 3,81 mm wide magnetic tape cartridge to enable interchangeability of such cartridges. It also specifies the quality of the recorded signals, and the format and recording method, thereby allowing data interchange by means of such magnetic tape cartridges.