User's Manual

CHAPTER 2: SDLT 220/320 Product Information SDLT 220 and SDLT 320 Product Manual
2-10 March 2004 81-85002-01
2.4.4 Electronic Interface Module
The Electronic Interface Module (EIM) is the electronic heart of the SDLT system.
It provides the main control function for the system and the interface from the
system to the host computer. The EIM provides the Advanced PRML feature of
Quantum’s SDLT technology; advanced PRML is described in “Advanced Partial
Response Maximum Likelihood” on page 2-5.
The EIM consists of two major boards: the Integrated Controller Module (ICM),
and a separate Host Interface Module (HIM). The ICM contains the main
controller and servo micro-processor, the custom-designed SDLT ASICs and the
cache memory while the HIM implements the interface between the host system
and the drive. This allows easy configuration of the drive to match different host
interfaces by simply substituting the appropriate HIM card.
As with the other major modules of the SDLT technology, the EIM has been
designed to be manufactured and tested as a distinct module.
2.4.5 Super DLTtape I Data Cartridge Module
As with all tape technologies, the Super DLTtape I data cartridge is a key part of
the overall system. The main function of the data cartridge is to provide the
magnetic recording media used by the system to store customer information. The
data cartridge also provides the protective cartridge that allows the media to be
removed and stored safely.
From the outside, the Super DLTtape I data cartridge looks very similar to the
DLTtape IV data cartridges. The basic geometry, write protection switch, and label
space are unchanged from the DLTtape IV data cartridge. This simplifies the
integration of SDLT into existing operating environments and into automated tape
libraries. The Super DLTtape I data cartridge is easy to recognize; it has a different
color than the DLTtape IV data cartridge and contains a distinctive pattern molded
into the shell.
The Super DLTtape I data cartridge has a new, more rugged design that includes a
thicker internal circular wall surrounding the media and more structural ribbing to
increase overall cartridge resilience and reduce potential damage to the cartridge if
it should be dropped. New, wear-resistant materials reduce the potential for debris
generation and increase the life of the cartridge.