ECMA 169 : 1ED 92

SECTION I - GENERAL
1 Scope
2 Conformance
3 References
4 Definitions
   4.1 AC Erase
   4.2 Algorithm
   4.3 Average Signal Amplitude
   4.4 Azimuth
   4.5 Back Surface
   4.6 Bit Cell
   4.7 Byte
   4.8 Cartridge
   4.9 Compressed Data
   4.10 Cyclic Redundancy Check
   4.11 Error Correcting Code (ECC)
   4.12 Flux Transition Position
   4.13 Flux Transition Spacing
   4.14 Logical Record
   4.15 Magnetic Tape
   4.16 Master Standard Reference Tape
   4.17 Physical Beginning of Tape (PBOT)
   4.18 Physical End of Tape
   4.19 Physical Recording Density
   4.20 Secondary Reference Amplitude
   4.21 Secondary Reference Field
   4.22 Secondary Standard Reference Tape
   4.23 Standard Reference Current (Ir)
   4.24 Tape Reference Edge
   4.25 Test Recording Current
   4.26 Track
   4.27 Typical Field
   4.28 Uncompressed Data
5 Environment and safety
   5.1 Testing Environment
   5.2 Operating Environment
   5.3 Storage Environment
   5.4 Transportation
   5.5 Safety
   5.6 Flammability
SECTION II - REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CASE
6 Dimensional and Mechanical Characteristics of the Case
   6.1 General
   6.2 Overall Dimension (figure 3)
   6.3 Holding Areas
   6.4 Cartridge Insertion
   6.5 Window (figure 1)
   6.6 Loading Grips (figure 3)
   6.7 Label Areas (figure 3)
   6.8 Datum Areas and Datum Holes (figures 4, 5 and 6)
   6.9 Support Areas
   6.10 Recognition Holes (figures 5, 6 and 7)
   6.11 Write-inhibit Hole (figures 6 and 7)
   6.12 Pre-positioning Surfaces (figures 3 and 5)
   6.13 Cartridge Lid (figures 3 and 8)
   6.14 Cartridge Reel Lock (figure 11)
   6.15 Reel Access Holes (figure 5)
   6.16 Interface between the Reels and the Drive Spindles
        (figures 17 and 18)
   6.17 Light Path (figures 5, 7, 15 and 160
   6.18 Position of the tape in the case (figure 16)
   6.19 Tape Path Zone (figures 16 and 17)
   6.20 Tape Access Cavity (figure 5)
   6.21 Tape Access Cavity Clearance Requirements
SECTION III - REQUIREMENTS FOR THE UNRECORDED TAPE
7 Mechanical, Physical and Dimensional Characteristics of
   the Tape
   7.1 Materials
   7.2 Tape Length
   7.3 Width
   7.4 Discontinuities
   7.5 Thickness
   7.6 Longitudinal Curvature
   7.7 Cupping
   7.8 Coating Adhesion (figure 20)
   7.9 Layer-to-Layer Adhesion
   7.10 Tensile Strength
   7.11 Residual Elongation
   7.12 Electrical Resistance of the Surface
   7.13 Tape Winding
   7.14 Light Transmittance of Tape
8 Magnetic Recording Performance
   8.1 Test Conditions
   8.2 Typical Field
   8.3 Signal Amplitude
   8.4 Resolution
   8.5 Narrow-band Signal-to-noise Ratio
   8.6 Ease of Erasure
   8.7 Tape Quality
   8.8 Inhibitor Tape
SECTION IV - REQUIREMENTS FOR AN INTERCHANGED TAPE
9 Format
   9.1 General
   9.2 Information Matrix
10 Method of Recording
   10.1 Physical Recording Density
   10.2 Bit Shift
   10.3 Read Signal Amplitudes
   10.4 Erasure
11 Track geometry
   11.1 Track Positions
   11.2 Track Pitch
   11.3 Track Width
   11.4 Track Angle
   11.5 Straightness of Track Edge
   11.6 Azimuth
12 Format of Track
   12.1 Channel bit
   12.2 Information Segment
   12.3 Information Block
   12.4 Physical Track Types
   12.5 Search Field Zone
   12.6 Servo Zone
   12.7 Information Tracks
13 Tape Mark
   13.1 Long Tape Mark
   13.2 Short Tape Mark
14 End of Data
15 ID Information
   15.1 Physical Block ID
   15.2 Logical Block ID
   15.3 Logical Record ID
   15.4 Block Type
16 Rewritten Information Blocks
17 Physical Tape Format
   17.1 Initial Erased Area
   17.2 Logical Beginning of Tape Area (LBOT Area)
   17.3 Usable Area of the Tape
Annex A - Measurement of Light Transmittance of Tape and
          Leaders
Annex B - Measurement of Bit Shift
Annex C - Representation of 8-bit Bytes by 10-bit Patterns
Annex D - Recommendations for Transportation
Annex E - Inhibitor Tape
Annex F - Registration of Algorithms

Specifies the physical and magnetic characteristics of an 8 mm wide 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 Magnetic Tape Labelling, full data interchange by means of such magnetic tape cartridges.