ECMA 196 : 1ED 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 algorithmically Processed Data
   4.3 Beginning of Tape (BOT)
   4.4 byte
   4.5 Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) Character
   4.6 Data Records
         4.6.1 Processed Data Record (PDR)
         4.6.2 Host Data Record
         4.6.3 Logical Data Record (LDR)
         4.6.4 User Data Record (UDR)
   4.7 End of Tape (EOT)
   4.8 Error correcting code (ECC)
   4.9 flux transition position
   4.10 flux transition spacing
   4.11 Frame
   4.12 logical backwards
   4.13 logical forwards
   4.14 magnetic tape
   4.15 Master Standard Reference Tape
   4.16 packet
   4.17 Pad byte
   4.18 physical backward
   4.19 physical forward
   4.20 physical recording density
   4.21 Processed Data
   4.22 Secondary Standard Reference Tape
   4.23 Standard Reference Amplitude (SRA)
   4.24 Standard Reference Current
   4.25 Tape Reference Edge
   4.26 Test Recording Current
   4.27 track
   4.28 Typical Field
   4.29 transformation
   4.30 Wrap
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
         6.4.1 Safeness
         6.4.2 Flammability
   6.5 Transportation
Section 2 - Characteristics of the tapes
7 Characteristics of the tapes
   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
         7.7.1 CST tape
         7.7.2 ECCST tape
   7.8 Out-of-plane distortions
   7.9 Cupping
   7.10 Dynamic frictional characteristics
         7.10.1 Frictional drag between the recording
                 surface and the back surface
         7.10.2 Frictional drag between the tape recording
                 surface and ferrite after environmental
                 cycling
   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 Accelerated life test
   7.18 Data integrity test
         7.18.1 Requirement
         7.18.2 Procedure
   7.19 Pre-recording condition
   7.20 Magnetic recording characteristics
         7.20.1 Typical field
         7.20.2 Signal amplitude
         7.20.3 Resolution
         7.20.4 Overwrite
         7.20.5 Narrow-band signal-to-noise ratio (NB-SNR)
   7.21 Tape quality
         7.21.1 Missing pulses
         7.21.2 Missing pulse zones
         7.21.3 Coincident Missing Pulse Zones
Section 3 - Cartridge
8 Dimensional and mechanical characteristics of the
   cartridge
   8.1 Overall dimensions (figure 4)
   8.2 Write-inhibit mechanism (figures 4 and 5)
   8.3 Label area of the rear side (figures 6 and 7)
   8.4 Label area of the top side (figure 6)
   8.5 Case opening (figures 5, 6 and 10)
   8.6 Locating notches (figures 8, 9 and 11)
   8.7 Locating areas (figure 8)
   8.8 Inside configuration of the case around the case
         opening (figures 8 and 12)
   8.9 Other external dimensions of the case (figure 9)
   8.10 Central window (figure 8)
   8.11 Stacking ribs (figures 7 and 8)
   8.12 Recessed area (figures 13 and 14)
   8.13 Flexibility of the case
         8.13.1 Requirements
         8.13.2 Procedure
   8.14 Tape reel (figures 15 and 16)
         8.14.1 Locking mechanism (figure 16)
         8.14.2 Axis of rotation of the reel
         8.14.3 Metallic insert (figure 15)
         8.14.4 Toothed rim (figure 15)
         8.14.5 Hub of the reel (figure 15)
         8.14.6 Relative positions
         8.14.7 Characteristics of the toothed rim
                 (figure 17)
   8.15 Leader block (figure 18)
   8.16 Attachment of the tape to the leader block
         (figure 19)
   8.17 Latching mechanism (figure 20)
   8.18 Tape wind
   8.19 Wind tension
   8.20 Circumference of the tape reel
   8.21 Moment of inertia
   8.22 Cartridge case colours
Section 4 - Recording method and formats
9 Method of recording
   9.1 Physical recording density
   9.2 Bit cell length
   9.3 Average bit cell length
         9.3.1 Long-term average bit cell length
         9.3.2 Short-term average bit cell length
   9.4 Rate of change of the short-term average bit
         cell length
   9.5 Bit cell peak position
   9.6 Bit shift
   9.7 Total character skew
   9.8 Read signal amplitude
   9.9 Coincident Missing Pulse Zones
10 Track format
   10.1 Number of tracks
   10.2 Track positions
   10.3 Track width
   10.4 Azimuth
   10.5 Track Identification
11 Packet format
   11.1 Packets
   11.2 Packet ID
   11.3 UDR
   11.4 Packet Trailer
         11.4.1 Packet Trailer when data has been processed
         11.4.2 Packet Trailer when the data has not been
                 processed
12 Data Block format
   12.1 Data Part
         12.1.1 Packet bytes
         12.1.2 Count field bytes
         12.1.3 Block ID bytes
   12.2 Allocation of the bytes of the Data Block to
         Frames
         12.2.1 Prefix Frames
         12.2.2 Data Frames
         12.2.3 Residual Frame 1
         12.2.4 Residual Frame 2
         12.2.5 Suffix Frames
   12.3 Error Correction Code (ECC)
   12.4 Recording of 8-bit bytes on the tape
   12.5 Recorded Data Block
         12.5.1 Preamble
         12.5.2 Beginning of Data Mark (BDM)
         12.5.3 Resync Control Frame
         12.5.4 End of Data Mark (EDM)
         12.5.5 Postamble
   12.6 Maximum data density
13 Tape format
   13.1 Zones
   13.2 Density ID Mark
   13.3 VOLID Mark
   13.4 ID Separator Mark
   13.5 Interblock Gap
   13.6 Erase Gap
         13.6.1 Normal Erase Gap
         13.6.2 Extended Erase Gap
   13.7 Tape Mark
   13.8 Wrap Marks
   13.9 Mark Merge
         13.9.1 IBG followed by a Tape Mark
         13.9.2 Tape Mark followed by an IBG
         13.9.3 IBG followed by a Erase Gap
         13.9.4 Erase Gap followed by an IBG
         13.9.5 IBG followed by a Wrap Mark
         13.9.6 Wrap Mark followed by an IBG
         13.9.7 IBG followed by a VOLID Mark ONE or ZERO
         13.9.8 VOLID Mark ONE or ZERO followed by an IBG
         13.9.9 Summary of the relationship between
                 Interblock Gaps, Erase Gaps, Tape Marks,
                 and Wrap Marks
   13.10 End of Data Block
   13.11 Recording Area
Annex A - Recommendations for transportation
Annex B - Inhibitor cartridge
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
Annex L - Accelerated life test
Annex M - Media Type Label

Specifies the physical and magnetic characteristics of 12,7 mm wide, 36-track magnetic tape cartridges 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 or equivalent, full data interchange by means of such magnetic tape cartridges.