A-Series SDLT 600A Tape Drive
Quantum A-Series Tape Drives User’s Guide 28
A-Series SDLT 600A Tape Drive
The SDLT 600A tape drive incorporates various new state-of-the-art
technologies that contribute to the SDLT architecture. Some of these ideas
are trademarked, others are patented. The following subsections
introduce the important technologies that together, comprise the
SDLT 600A tape drive.
Laser Guided Magnetic
Recording 1
The SDLT 600A tape drives are based on Laser Guided Magnetic
Recording (LGMR) technology. LGMR provides a unique combination of
the best optical and magnetic technologies, which results in dramatically
higher capacities by substantially increasing the number of recording
tracks on the data-bearing surface of the media. By recording data
magnetically on the data-bearing side of the media and using servo
movement optically on the backside, LGMR optimizes highly proven
technologies to deliver the most efficient, reliable, and scalable data
retrieval solution to the mid-range market.
Pivoting Optical Servo 1
Pivoting Optical Servo (POS) is a Quantum-invented, optically-encoded
servo system, that combines high-density magnetic read/write data
recording with laser servo guiding. The POS provides high-duty-cycle
applications, which decreases cost and increases user convenience. 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.