ECMA 120 : 3ED 93

Section 1 - General
1 Scope
2 Conformance
3 References
4 Definitions
   4.1 Average Signal Amplitude
   4.2 back surface
   4.3 Beginning of Tape (BOT)
   4.4 byte
   4.5 cartridge
   4.6 Cyclic Redundancy Check character
   4.7 data density
   4.8 Error Correcting Code
   4.9 flux transition position
   4.10 flux transition spacing
   4.11 magnetic tape
   4.12 Master Standard Reference Tape
   4.13 physical recording density
   4.14 Postamble
   4.15 Preamble
   4.16 Reference Field
   4.17 Secondary Standard Reference Tape
   4.18 Standard Reference Amplitude (SRA)
   4.19 Standard Reference Current
   4.20 Test Recording Current
   4.21 track
   4.22 Typical Field
5 Environment and safety
   5.1 Cartridge/Tape testing environment
   5.2 Cartridge operation environment
   5.3 Cartridge storage environment
   5.4 Safety requirements
   5.5 Transportation
Section 2 - Tape requirements
6 Characteristics of the tape
   6.1 Material
   6.2 Tape length
   6.3 Tape width
   6.4 Tape discontinuity
   6.5 Total thickness of tape
   6.6 Base material thickness
   6.7 Longitudinal curvature
   6.8 Out-of-plane distortions
   6.9 Cupping
   6.10 Dynamic frictional characteristics
   6.11 Coating adhesion
   6.12 Flexural rigidity
   6.13 Electrical resistance of coated surfaces
   6.14 Tape durability
   6.15 Inhibitor tape
   6.16 Tape abrasivity
   6.17 Pre-recording condition
   6.18 Magnetic recording characteristics
   6.19 Tape quality
Section 3 - Cartridge requirements
7 Dimensional and mechanical characteristics of the cartridge
   7.1 Overall dimensions (figures 4 to 6)
   7.2 Write-inhibit mechanism (figures 4 to 5)
   7.3 Label area of the rear side (figures 5 to 6)
   7.4 Label area of the top side (figure 5)
   7.5 Case opening (figures 4,5,7 and 9)
   7.6 Locating notches (figures 7,8 and 10)
   7.7 Locating areas (figure 7)
   7.8 Inside configuration of the case around the case opening
        (figures 7 and 11)
   7.9 Other external dimensions of the case (figure 8)
   7.10 Central window (figure 7)
   7.11 Stacking ribs (figures 12 and 13)
   7.12 Flexibility of the case
   7.13 Tape reel (figures 12 and 13)
   7.14 Leader block (figure 15)
   7.15 Attachment of the tape to the leader block (figure 16)
   7.16 Latching mechanism (figure 17)
   7.17 Tape wind
   7.18 Wind tension
   7.19 Circumference of the tape reel
   7.20 Moment of inertia
Section 4 - Recording requirements
8 Method of recording
   8.1 Physical recording density
   8.2 Bit cell length
   8.3 Average bit cell length
   8.4 Long-term average bit cell length
   8.5 Short-term average bit cell length
   8.6 Rate of change
   8.7 Bit shift
   8.8 Total character skew
   8.9 Read signal amplitude
   8.10 Coincident missing pulses
9 Track format
   9.1 Number of tracks
   9.2 Reference Edge
   9.3 Track Positions
   9.4 Track Width
   9.5 Azimuth
10 Data format
   10.1 Types of bytes
   10.2 Frame
   10.3 Data Block
   10.4 Error Correcting Code (ECC)
   10.5 Recording of 8-bit bytes on the tape
   10.6 Recorded data Block
   10.7 Data density
11 Tape format
   11.1 Density Identification Burst
   11.2 ID separator Burst
   11.3 Interblock Gaps
   11.4 Erase Gaps
   11.5 Tape Marks
   11.6 Relationship between Interblock Gaps, Erase Gaps and
        Tape Marks
   11.7 First and last recording on the tape
   11.8 summary of the tape format
Annex A - Recommendations for transportation
Annex B - Inhibitor tape
Annex C - Tape Abrasivity measurement procedure
Annex D - Recommendations on tape durability
Annex E - Pre-recording condition
Annex F - Representation of 8-bit bytes by 9-bit patterns
Annex G - Measurement of bit shift

Describes the physical and magnetic characteristics of a 12,7 mm wide, 18-track magnetic tape cartridge to enable interchangeability of such cartridges. Specifies the quality of the recorded signals, the format and the recording method thus allowing, together with Standard ECMA-13 for Magnetic Tape Labelling, full data interchange by means of such magnetic tape cartridges.