User manual QUANTUM A-SERIES TAPE DRIVES 07-2008

[. . . ] A-Series Tape Drives A-Series Tape Drives 81-81487-04 A01 Quantum A-Series Tape Drives User's Guide, 81-81487-04 A01, July 2008. Quantum Corporation provides this publication "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Quantum Corporation may revise this publication from time to time without notice. Making copies or adaptations without prior written authorization of Quantum Corporation is prohibited by law and constitutes a punishable violation of the law. [. . . ] The POS enables the head to track dynamic variations in tape motion which allows Quantum to provide a track count with an order of magnitude increase over previous products. Magneto Resistive Cluster Heads 1 Magneto Resistive Cluster (MRC) heads are a densely packed array of small, cost-effective Magneto Resistive (MR) tape heads precisely positioned using advanced thin-film processing technology. SDLT MRC heads provide high wafer usage efficiency resulting in low head costs, are less susceptible to variations in tape speed, yield higher track density and capacity, and provide a multi-channel architecture for increased transfer rate and performance. Quantum A-Series Tape Drives User's Guide 28 Modular Design Advanced Partial Response Maximum Likelihood 1 Improving on Partial Response Maximum Likelihood (PRML) technology traditionally used in disk drives and communication systems, advanced PRML channel technology, co-developed with Lucent Technologies, brings new levels of performance and capacity to high-performance linear tape products. This provides high-encoding efficiency recording densities for greater capacity and performance that enables SDLT to increase transfer rates and capacity substantially. Advanced Metal Powder Media 1 Advanced Metal Powder (AMP) media is a state-of-the-art media using durable metal powder technology for recording very high densities of data. The back side of the AMP media receives a specially formulated coating to accept the optical servo tracks. Because the servo information is on the back side of the media, the entire data-bearing side of the media is available for recording data and eliminates the need for pre-formatting. In addition, AMP media meets the needs of multiple generations of the SDLT technology. Positive Engagement Tape Leader Buckling Mechanism 1 The positive engagement tape leader buckling mechanism is a highly robust mechanism that increases data cartridge life and supports the extensive duty-cycle environments found in high-end and automation environments. This mechanism engages the tape leader upon data cartridge load and disengages it upon data cartridge unload. It uses a solid metal pin attached to the drive leader to link with molded clips permanently attached to the tape leader inside the data cartridge. The Positive Leader Link design makes the buckling of Super DLTtape media a totally reliable mechanical process. Modular Design The SDLT 600A tape drive is designed as a total system. The system includes a complex interaction of a number of important components including such items as the tape path, tape heads, media, data cartridge, and host interface. Quantum A-Series Tape Drives User's Guide 29 Modular Design As shown in figure 10, the SDLT 600A tape drive consists of five distinct modules: · · · · · Data Control Module (DCM) Tape Control Module (TCM) Front Panel Module (FPM) Electronic Interface Module (EIM) Super DLTtape II Data Cartridge (Data Cartridge). The modular concept makes the SDLT 600A tape drive easy to manufacture and configure. Each module is optimized to perform a specific set of functions and designed to interface with the other modules in a well defined and flexible manner. The following subsections provide a brief overview of each module. Figure 10 SDLT 600A Tape Drive Modular Design FPM Data cartridge TCM DCM EIM ICM EIM HIM Note: Despite the deliberate modularity of each module, with the exception of the FPM, individual users should not swap modules. Customer adjustments to the TCM, DCM, or EIM will void the tape drive's warranty. Quantum A-Series Tape Drives User's Guide 30 Modular Design Data Control Module 1 The Data Control Module (DCM) contains several of the functions and features of LGMR technology, which is at the heart of the SDLT technology. Of the five technologies that constitute the LGMR technology, two are in the DCM. The main functions of the DCM are to provide the path and guides for all tape motion inside the tape drive and to write data to and read data from the tape. In addition to the POS and MRC heads described in Pivoting Optical Servo and Magneto Resistive Cluster Heads, the DCM contains a number of components that interact to perform these functions. These components include: · · · · · Advanced head guide assembly Take-up reel Drive motor Optical servo system Tape heads. In addition to its mechanical components, the DCM also contains printed circuit boards that control the functions of the DCM and the tape heads. Tape Control Module 1 The Tape Control Module (TCM) implements the functions required to buckle and unbuckle the tape and control the tape motion. The TCM consists of a variety of components: · · · · · · TCM Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) Base Plate Data Cartridge Receiver Positive Engagement Tape Leader Buckling Mechanism Tape supply motor assembly Floor plate assembly. TCM PCBA 1 The TCM has its own PCBA that controls the functions of the TCM and interfaces with the main controller board in the EIM. By designing the TCM as a distinct module, it allows manufacturing and testing the TCM Quantum A-Series Tape Drives User's Guide 31 Modular Design as a stand-alone module, simplifying the design, manufacturing, and troubleshooting processes. Base Plate 1 The SDLT 600A tape drive base plate is an aluminum die casting with precisely machined surfaces. The casting acts as the support platform for the other modules and for the tape drive enclosure. The base plate also includes the precision mounting holes used to install SDLT 600A tape drives into a server or tape library. [. . . ] central processing unit (CPU), such as a disk drive, tape drive, or printer. engineered media leader-buckling mechanism for heavy-dutycycle automated environments. Peripheral A device added to a system as a complement to the basic Positive Engagement Buckling Mechanism A highly robust, solidly POST Power-on Self-Test. When power is applied to the tape drive, it performs a POST. Quantum A-Series Tape Drives User's Guide 86 Glossary PRML Partial Response Maximum Likelihood is a method for converting the weak analog signal from the head of a magnetic disk drive into a digital signal. Printed Wiring Assembly - Commonly known as PCB(A) for Printed Circuit Board (Assembly). [. . . ]