Exabyte EXB-8505 8mm manual Physical Format, Physical Track Structure

2 Recording Format

Physical Format

This section defines the physical track structure of the tape, including the types of physical track structures, physical blocks, search fields, and servo areas.

Physical Track Structure

The EXB-8205 and EXB-8205XL can write data to tape in two types of physical track structures: 8200 and 8200c. The EXB-8505 and EXB-8505XL can write data to tape in three types of physical track structures: 8500/8500c, 8200c, and 8200. These track structures are described below. Figure 2-2shows the relationship between the three physical track structures and the four logical data formats.

In 8500/8500c track structure, the tape drive writes two overlapping tracks to the tape for each revolution of the drum. Each track contains data blocks, servo areas (track 2 only), clock sync areas, and search fields. 8500/8500c track structure is also called dual-azimuth track structure.

Note: 8500 and 8500c physical track structures are identical. Using the compressed logical format (8500c), the EXB-8505 and EXB-8505XL compress data before storing it in physical blocks. Using the uncompressed logical format (8500), the tape drives do not compress data.

In 8200c track structure, the tape drive writes a single track to the tape for each revolution of the drum. Like 8500/8500c tracks, each track contains data blocks, servo areas, clock sync areas, and search fields. 8200c track structure is also called single-azimuth compressed track structure.

In 8200 track structure, the tape drive writes a single track to tape for each revolution of the drum. Each track contains data blocks and one servo area for accurate positioning of the tape. 8200 track structure is also called single-azimuth uncompressed track structure.

May 1994	EXB-8205 and EXB-8505	2-3
	(Standard and XL)