Seagate STT8000A manual Media-Travan minicartridges

Page 80

Chapter 7

Theory of operations

the position of the SAFE indicator on the cartridge and disables writing of write- protected (SAFE) cartridges.

The Head-Position Sensor is an electro-optical assembly (LED and photo-transistor) to determine the approximate head position.

The drive has an electro-optical sensor assembly comprised of a solid-state light source (LED) and a photo-sensor (photo-transistor) that sense the beginning-of-tape (BOT), end-of-tape (EOT), load point, and early warning holes of the cartridge.

Media—Travan minicartridges

The drive is designed to use Travan TR-4 cartridges, QIC-3080 quarter-inch minicartridges, and QIC-3080 QIC-Wide minicartridges. These small (approximately 2 inches x 3 inches x 0.4 inch) cartridges house 900 Oersted Gamma Ferric Oxide magnetic tape . Figure 7-2 shows a Travan minicartridge.

Figure 7-2

Travan minicartridge

The cartridge also provides for write protection so that existing data on the cartridge is not overwritten. A write-protected cartridge allows the existing data to be read but does not allow new data to be written to the tape. The position of the sliding write- protect tab on the cartridge determines whether or not data can be written to the tape. See chapter 4 for illustrations of the write-protect position.

Page 72

STT8000A Product Manual

Image 80
Contents STT8000A Atapi Minicartridge Drive Product Manual Page FCC Notice Important Information About This Manual Table of Contents Atapi interface Tape format Glossary Acronyms and measurements Introduction Drive overviewSTT8000A internal drive without mounting brackets Features Typical system configurations Minicartridge technology overviewReferences Flash EepromSoftware About this manual Chapter Title DescriptionOverview SpecificationsPhysical specifications STT8000A 3.5-Inch mount general dimensions Power specifications Specification MeasurementPerformance specifications Feature SpecificationSpecification Operational Non-operational Environmental requirementsMean-Time-To-Repair ReliabilityMean-Time-Between Failures Recommended tapes Tape capacities and formatsRegulatory compliance TUV & IEC-RHEINLANDInstallation IntroductionBefore you begin Handling guidelinesSetting jumpers Jumper block and jumper settingsInstalling the drive Aligning the drive in the computerMounting dimensions Mounting holes on internal drive without mounting brackets ATA-2 Interface pin assignments Pin Assignment Description SourceREQ Chapter Installation Drive operation and maintenance Front panel LEDUsing Travan cartridges Loading and unloading cartridgesSetting the write-protect switch Travan cartridge write-protect switch-locked positionLoading revised firmware via Seagate firmware cartridge Caring for the drive Care and maintenance of the drive and cartridgesCaring for tape cartridges Capstan Tape Head Troubleshooting Chapter ATA-2 Interface ATA-2 SignalsAtapi interface ATA registers AbrtBits Mnemonic Description Supported ATA Commands Previous Cmd Int ReasonFeature Number Set Feature Commands Atapi Identify Device A1h Atapi Packet Command A0h Atapi interface DSCErase command Inquiry command Bit ByteLoad/Unload command Locate command Log Select command Log Sense command Error Counter Page Read Following table presents the Error Counter Page layoutTape Capacity Page Code Following table presents the Tape Capacity Page layoutMode Select command Mode Sense command Code DescriptionMode Parameter Header Mode Block DescriptorMode Medium Partition Mode Capabilities and Mechanical StatusMode Tape Parameters Read command Read Position command Following table describes the Read Position layoutChapter Atapi Interface Request Sense command Following table describes the Request Sense layout Rewind command Space command Test Unit Ready command Write command Write Filemark command Write Buffer download microcode command Track positions Tape formatTape partitioning Frames Track numberingTrack format General track layout Tape reference servo pattern BlocksWrite equalization RandomizationChapter Tape format Block diagram Theory of operationsCapstan drive motor assembly MechanicsCartridge load mechanism ChassisHead design Sensors and switchesControl circuits Media-Travan minicartridges Travan minicartridgeGlossary Appendix a Glossary Glossary Appendix a Glossary Acronyms and measurements Acronyms and abbreviationsLSI Units of measurement Measure MeaningAppendix B Acronyms and Measurements