ECMA 152 : 2ED 93

Section 1 - General
1 Scope
2 Conformance
   2.1 Magnetic Tape Cartridge
   2.2 Generating system
   2.3 Receiving system
3 References
4 Definitions
   4.1 algorithm
   4.2 Average Signal Amplitude
   4.3 back surface
   4.4 Beginning of Tape (BOT)
   4.5 byte
   4.6 cartridge
   4.7 Cyclic Redundancy Check Character
   4.8 Data Block
   4.9 Data Records
   4.10 Error Correcting Code
   4.11 flux transition position
   4.12 flux transition spacing
   4.13 magnetic tape
   4.14 Master Standard Reference Tape
   4.15 packet
   4.16 Packet Identifier
   4.17 Packet Trailer
   4.18 Pad Byte
   4.19 physical recording density
   4.20 Postamble
   4.21 Preamble
   4.22 Processed Data
   4.23 processing
   4.24 Reference Field
   4.25 Secondary Standard Reference Tape
   4.26 Standard Reference Amplitude (SRA)
   4.27 Standard Reference Current
   4.28 Test Recording Current
   4.29 track
   4.30 Typical Field
   4.31 transformation
5 Conventions and notations
   5.1 Representation of numbers
   5.2 Names
   5.3 Acronyms
6 Environment and safety
   6.1 Cartridge/Tape testing environment
   6.2 Cartridge operating environment
   6.3 Cartridge storage environment
   6.4 Safety requirements
   6.5 Transportation
Section 2 - Characteristics of the tape
7 Characteristics of the tape
   7.1 Material
   7.2 Tape length
   7.3 Tape width
   7.4 Tape discontinuity
   7.5 Total thickness of tape
   7.6 Base material thickness
   7.7 Longitudinal curvature
   7.8 Out-of-plane distortions
   7.9 Cupping
   7.10 Dynamic frictional characteristics
   7.11 Coating adhesion
   7.12 Flexural rigidity
   7.13 Electrical resistance of coated surfaces
   7.14 Tape durability
   7.15 Inhibitor tape
   7.16 Tape abrasivity
   7.17 Pre-recording condition
   7.18 Magnetic recording characteristics
   7.19 Tape quality
Section 3 - Cartridge
8 Dimensional and mechanical characteristics of the cartridge
   8.1 Overall dimensions (figures 2 to 4)
   8.2 Write-inhibit mechanism (figures 2 and 3)
   8.3 Label area of the rear side (figures 3 and 4)
   8.4 Label area of the top side (figure 3)
   8.5 Case opening (figures 2, 3, 5 and 7)
   8.6 Locating notches (figures 5, 6 and 8)
   8.7 Locating areas (figure 5)
   8.8 Inside configuration of the case around the case
        opening (figures 5 and 9)
   8.9 Other external dimensions of the case (figure 6)
   8.10 Central window (figure 5)
   8.11 Stacking ribs (figures 4 and 5)
   8.12 Flexibility of the case
   8.13 Tape reel (figures 10 and 11)
   8.14 Leader block (figure 13)
   8.15 Attachment of the tape to the leader block (figure14)
   8.16 Latching mechanism (figure 15)
   8.17 Tape wind
   8.18 Wind tension
   8.19 Circumference of the tape reel
   8.20 Moment of inertia
Section 4 - Recording method and format
9 Method of recording
   9.1 Physical recording density
   9.2 Bit cell length
   9.3 Average bit cell length
   9.4 Long-term average bit cell length
   9.5 Short-term average bit cell length (STA)
   9.6 Rate of change
   9.7 Bit shift
   9.8 Total character skew
   9.9 Read signal amplitude
   9.10 Coincident missing pulse zones
10 Track format
   10.1 Number of tracks
   10.2 Reference edge
   10.3 Track positions
   10.4 Track width
   10.5 Azimuth
11 Packet format
   11.1 Packet elements (figure 16)
   11.2 Packet ID
   11.3 UDR
   11.4 Packet Trailer
12 Data Block format
   12.1 Data Part (figure 17)
   12.2 Allocation of Data Bytes to frames
   12.3 Error Correcting Code (ECC)
   12.4 Recording of 8-bit bytes on the tape
   12.5 Recorded Data Block
   12.6 Data Density
13 Tape format
   13.1 Density Identification Burst
   13.2 ID Separator Burst
   13.3 Interblock Gaps
   13.4 Erase Gaps
   13.5 Tape Marks
   13.6 Relationship between Interblock Gaps, Erase Gaps and
        Tape Marks
   13.7 First and last recording on the tape
   13.8 Summary of the tape format
   13.9 Transform Change Records (TCRs)
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
Annex H - Summary of data flow
Annex J - Implementation of a CRC
Annex K - Calculation of a Physical Position Indicator

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