ISO/IEC 11321:1992

INTERNATIONAL IISO/IEC
STANDARD
First edition
1992-12-15
Information technology - 3,81 mm wide
magnetic tape cartridge for information
- Helical scan recording -
interchange
DATA/DAT format
Cartouche de bande magnetique de
Technologies de I ’informa tion -
3,81 mm de /arge pour Mchange d ’information - Enregistrement
h6licoidal - Format DATA/DAT
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ISO/IEC 11321 :1992(E)
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Contents
Section 1 : General
1 Scope
2 Conformance
2.1 Magnetit tape cartridge
2.2 Generating System
2.3 Receiving System
3 Normative references
4 Definitions
Absolute Frame Number (AFN)
4.1
4.2 AC erase
Area ID
4.3
Automatic Track Finding (ATF)
4.4
Average Signal Amplitude
4.5
azimuth
4.6
back surface
4.7
4.8 byte
4.9 cartridge
4.10 Channel bit
4.11 Data Format ID
4.12 End of Data (EOD)
End of Information (EOI)
4.13
4.14 End of Partition (EOP)
4.15 Error Correcting Code (ECC)
flux transition Position
4.16
o ISO/IEC 1992
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or
by any means, electronie or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without per-
mission in writing from the publisher.
I SO/I EC Copyright Office l Case Postale 56 l CH-l 211 Geneve 20 l Switzerland
Printed in Switzerland
ii
l 4.17 flux transition spacing
4.18 frame
4.19 gro u p
4.20 Logical Reginning of Tape (IBOT)
4.21 Logical End of Tape (LEOT)
4.22 magnetic tape
4.23 Master r-eference
4.24 Master Standard Amplitude Calibration Tape
4.25 Master Standard Reference Tape
4.26 Optimum recording field
4.27 partition
4.28 partition reference
4.29 Physical ßeginning of Tape (PRO ’T ’)
4.30 Phvsic;ll End of Tape (PEOT)
M
4.31 physical recording density
pre-recording condition (maximum recorded levels)
4.32
4.33 r-em rd
4.34 Reference Recording Field
4.35 Secondary Standard Amplitude (Xibration Tape
4.36 Secondary Standard Reference Tape
sepa i-3 tor
4.37
Standard Reference Amplitude
4.38
4.39 tape nclise amplitude
4.40 Tape Reference Edge
4.41 track
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 2 : Requirements for the case
Dimensional and mechanical characteristics of the case
General
6.1
Overall dimensions (figures 6 ;rnd 7)
6.2
l.,oading grip (figure 6)
6.3
Holding areas (figure 6)
6.4
Notches of the lid (figures 5 and 8)
6.5
6.6 Lid dimensions (figures 6 to 8)
6.7 0ptic;tl detection of the beginning ;tncl end of tape (figure 9 and 12)
6.8 Bottom side (figures IO ;~nd 1 1)
6.8.1 Locking mech;rnism of the sliclcr
6.8.2 Access holes
6.8.3 Recognition. subd:ltum mtl write-inhibit holes
Dr1 t 11 m hob
6.8.4
. . .
Ill
6.8.5 Access room for tape guides
6.8.6 Holes for accessing the hubs
6.8.7 Internal structure of the lower half (figure 12)
Light path (figure 12)
6.8.8
6.8.9 Support areas (figure 13)
6.8.10 Datum areas (figure 13)
6.8.11 Relationship between support and Datum Areas and Reference Plane 2 (figure 14)
6.9 Hubs (figures 15, 16)
6.10 Leader and trailer attachment
6.11 Interface between the hubs and the drive spindles (figure 17)
6.12 Opening of the lid (figure 18)
6.13 Release of the hub locking mechanism (figures 19, 20)
6.14 Label area (figures 21, 22)
Section 3 : Requirements for the unrecorded tape
7 Mechanical, physical and dimensional characteristics of the tape
7.1 Materials
Tape iength
7.2
Length of mngnetic tnpe
7.2.1
Length of leader and trailer tnpes
7.2.2
7.3 Tape width
7.4 Discontinuities
7.5 Total thickness
7.6 l L,ongitudinni curvature
7.7 Cupping
7.8 Co;\ ti ng ad hesion
7.9 Layer-to-layer adhesion
7.10 Tensile strength
7.10.1 Breaking strength
7.10.2 Y ield strength
7.11 Residual elongation
7.12 Electrical resistance of coated surfaces
Light transmittance of tape
7.13
8 Magnetit recording characteristics
Optimum recording field
8.1
8.2 Signal Amplitude
Resolution
8.3
Overwrite
8.4
3 002 ftpmm
Physical Recording Densities of 750,h and
8.4.1
and 1 001 ftpmm
densities of 83,4 ftpmm
8.4.2 Physical recording
Ease of erasure
8.5
8.6 Tape quality
8.6.1 Missing pulses
8.6.2 Missing pulse Zone
8.7 Signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) charncteristic
Section 4 : Format
9 DATA/DAT formst
9.1 Genera 1
9.2 Basic G rou ps
9.2.1 Basic Groups for Group Format 0
9.2.2 Basic Groups for Group Format 1
9.3 Sub-Groups
9.3.1 G 1 Sub-group
9.3.2 G2 Sub-group
9.3.3 G3 Sub-group
9.3.4 G4 Sub-gmup
9.3.5 Main Data Block
9.4 Sub-Data area
9.4.1 Pack Item No. I
9.4.2 Pack Item No. 2
9.4.3 Pack ltem No. 3
9.4.4 Pack Item No. 4
9.4.5 Pack Item No. 5
9.4.6 Pack ltem No. 6
9.4.7 Pack Item No. 7
Sub Data Block
9.4.8
Basic Group structure
9.5
User Data
9.51
System Data
9.5.2
Record 1 I-1 list
9.5.3
9.5.4 1 Ieuristic Recovery Data AI-e;]
10 Method 01‘ recording
10.1 Physical recording density
10.2 Lang-Term average bit cell lengt h
10.3 Short-Term average bit cell length
10.4 Rate of change
10.5 Bit shift
10.6 Read Signal amplitude
10.7 Maximum recorded levels
Track geomet ry
11.1 Track configuration
Average track pitch
11.2
Variations of the track pitch
11.3
Track width
11.4
Trat k angle
11.5
Track edge Iinearity
11.6
11.7
Track lengt h
11.8 Ideal tape centreline
11.9 Azimuth angles
12 Recording of blocks on the tape
12.1 Recorded Main Data Block
12.2 Recorded Sub Data Block
12.3 Margin Blocks, Preamble Blocks and Postnmblc Blocks
12.4 Spacer Blocks
Format of a track
13.1 Track capacity
13.2 Positioning accurncy
Tracking scheme
13.3
14 Group Formats
14.1 Group Format 0
14.2 Group Format 1
Extended Gap Frames
14.3
Extended 1 -eading Gap Frames
14.3.1
14.3.2 Extended Trailing Gap Frames
14.4 Types of Groups
14.4.1 Normal Groups
13.4.2 Spare Groups
14.4.3 Amhle Grwps
15 Magnetit tape layout
Load/U nload Area
15.1
Lead-in Area
15.2
Preamble
15.2.1
15.2.2 Meader
Format Parameter Set
15.2.3
15.2.4 Master Reference
Postamble
15.2.5
15.3 Partition
15.3.1 Partition Preamble
15.3.2 Partition Reference
15.3.3 Partition Postamble
Partition Data
15.3.4
End of Partition (EOP)
15.3.5
Unused Area
15.3.6
15.4 EO1
15.5 Repeated Groups
15.6 Repeated Frames within a Normal Group
15.7 Relocation of Defect ive G t-OLIIX

15.8 Appending
15.8.1 Semtless appending
15.8.2 Non-semmless appending
15.9 Ova-wt-i te (figu t-e 83)
15.9.1 OW-lapped tt-ack width
15.9.2 Non-ovet-lnpped track width
15.9.3 Rules fm- ovet-write
Annexes
A Measurement of the light transmittance of the prisms
n
Recogn i t ion Holes
Means for opening the lid
c
D Measurement of light transmiltance of tape and leaders
E Mcasurement of Signal-to-Noise Ratio
F Method for determining the nominal and the maximum allowable recorded levels
Representation of g-bit bytes by 10.bit Pattern
G
H Measurement of bit shift
Recommendations for transportat ion
J
K Method of measuring track edge linearity
L Read-After-Write
M Data allocation and C3 parity
vii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Stnndardization) and IEC (the International Eiectrotechnicai
Commission) form the specialized System for worldwide standardization. National bodies that are members of
ISO or IEC participate in the development of International Standards through technical committees estabiished
by the respective organization to deal with particuiar fieids of technical activity. ISO and IEC technicai
committees collaborate in fieids of mutual interest. Other international organizations, governmental and non-
governmentai, in liaison with ISO and IEC, also take part in the work.
In the field of information technology, ISO and IEC have established a joint technical committee, ISO/IEC JTCl.
Draft International Standards adopted by the joint aechnical committee at-e circulated to national bodies for
voting. Publication as an International Standard requires npproval by at least 75 a/o of the national bodies casting
a vote.
International Standard ISO/IEC % 1,321 was prepared by the European Computer Manufacturers Association (as
Standard ECMA-146) and was adopted, under a special “fast-track procedure ”, by Joint Technical Committee
lSO/IEC JTCI, Infi>rn&on tc&z&qy, in parallel with its approval by national bodies of ISO and IEC.
Annexes A, D, E, F, (3, I-l, K and M form an integral part of this International Standard. Annexes B, C, J and L
are for information only.
Patents
During the prepnration of the ECMA Standard, information was gathered on Patents upon which application of
the Standard might depend. Relevant Patterns were identified as belonging to Hitschi and the Sony Cvrporation.
However, neither ECMA nor ISO/IEC tan give authoritative or comprehensive information about evidente,
validity or scope of patent and like rights. The patent hoiders have stated that licences will be granted under
reasonabie and non-discriminatory terms. Communications on this subject shouid be addressed to
Hitschi, Ltd.
European Operation Centre
Wallhrook Busi ness Centre
G reen 1 *a ne
Hounslow TW3 hN W
United Kingdom
Sony Corporafion
Licensing and Tradema i-k Division
h-7-3 Kitashinagawa
Shinagawa-ku
Tokyo 131
Japan
. . .
Vlll
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO/IEC 11321:1992 (E)
Information technology - 341 mm wide magnetic tape cartridge for information
interchange - Helical scan recording - DATA/DAT format
Section 1 : General
1 Scope
This International Standard specifies the physical and magnetic characteristics of a 3,8i mm wide magnetic tape
cartridge to enable interchangeability of such cartridges. It also specifies the quaiity of the recorded Signals, and
the formal and recording method, thereby allowing data interchange by means of such magnetic tape cartridges.
2 Conformance
2.1 Magnetit tape cartridge
A tape cartridge shall be in conformance with this International Standard if it meets all mandatory requirements
specified herein. The tape requirements shail be satisfied throughout the extent of the tape.
2.2 Generating System
A System generating ;1 magnetic tape cartridge for interchange shail be entitled to Claim conformance to this
international Stand;u-d if all recordings on the tape meet the mandatory requirements of this International
Standard.
2.3 Receiving System
A system receiving ;i mngnetic tape cartridge for interchange shail be entitied to Claim conformance with this
International Str~ndar-d if it is able to handle any recording made on the tape according to this International
Standard.
3 Normative Keferences
The following Standards contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of this
International Standard. At the time of publication, the editions indicated were vaiid. All Standards are subject to
revision, and Parties to agreements based on this International Standard are encouraged to investigate the
possibility of applying the most recent editions of the Standards iisted beiow. Members of IEC and ISO maintain
registers of currently vaiid International Standards.
ISO/R 527: 1966, I ’lusiics - Determination of tensile properties
ISO 7-bit coded Character set for information interchange.
ISO/IEC 646: 199 1, Information technology -
Method of indicating surface texture on drawings
ISO 1302: 1978, Technical Drawings -
1 EC 950: 1990, Safety of Information Technology Eyuipment, including Electrical Business Eyuipmenr
4 Definitions
For the purpose of this International Standard, the foiiowing definitions appiy.
4.1 Absolute Frame Number (AFN): A sequence number aiiocated to, and recorded in, each frame.
4.2 AC erase: A process of erasure utilizing alternating fieids of decaying ievei.
4.3 Area ID: An identifier for each area of the tape specifying the types of frame written therein.
4.4 Automatic Track Finding (ATF): A method by which tracking is achieved.

4.5 Average Signal Amplitude: The average peak-to-peak value of the output Signal from the read head at the
fundamental frequency of the specified physical recording density, over a minimum of 7,8 mm of track, exclusive
of missing pulses.
4.6 azimuth: The angular deviation, in degrees, minutes and seconds of arc, made by the mean flux transition
line with the line normal to the centreline of the recorded track.
4.7 back surface: The surface of the tape opposite to the magnetic coating which is used to record data.
4.8 byte: An ordered set of bits acted upon as a unit.
4.9 cartridge: A case containing magnetic tape stored on twin hubs.
4.10 Channel bit: A bit after Wo- IO transformation.
4.11 Data Format ID: An identifier specifying which data format is being used on the tape.
4.12 End of Data (EOD): The point where the host stopped writing data on the tape.
4.13 End of Information (EO]): A group which indicates the end of partition area in a tape.
4.14 End of Partition (EOP): A group which indicates the end of data area in a partition.
4.15 Error Correcting Code (ECC): A mathematical algorithm yielding check bytes used for the detection and
correction of errors.
4.16 flux transition Position: That point which exhibits maximum free-space flux density normal to the tape
sur-face.
4.17 flux transition spacing: The distance along a track between successive flux transitions.
4.18 frame: A pair of adjacent tracks with azimuth of opposite polarity, in which the track with the
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