Quantum A-Series User Manual

A-Series SDLT 600A Tape Drive

Quantum A-Series Tape Drives User’s Guide

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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.

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.

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.

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.