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ARCHIVE PYTHON DDS-DC OAT DRIVES---PRODUCT DESCRIPTION MANUAL
8.3.3 Flash EEPROM
Because the 4322NP, 4542NP, and 4352NP drives use flash EEPROM (electronically erasable,
programmable read-only memory), the drive firmware can be easily upgraded when new revisions of the
firmware are released. The SCSI controller circuitry includes 256 KB of flash EEPROM on these models.
Loading new firmware can be accomplished in one of three ways:
o
Using a specially encoded Archive firmware upgrade cassette.
o
Issuing a WRITE DATA BUFFER SCSI command to download the firmware to the EEPROM.
(Refer to Appendix C for information on this SCSI command.)
o
Using the DATMON software that is included with the Archive Serial Port Diagnostic Kit product.
(The Archive Python Serial Port Diagnostic Kit is a separate product available to qualified OEMs
for testing Python DAT drives. Contact your Archive sales representative for information.)
Refer to Section 4.8 for information about loading new firmware using an Archive firmware upgrade
cassette.
8.3.4 Sensors
A number of mechanical and optical sensors are integrated in the Python design. The cassette in and cassette
loading sensors are mechanical sensors to determine the position of the loading mechanism. The other
mechanical sensors determine specific information based on detecting the open or closed state of four
recognition holes in the DAT cassette. The open/closed state of these holes determine tape thickness,
cleaning cassette, and whether the tape is prerecorded (write-protect) or unrecorded. These mechanical
sensors plus the sensor for "cassette in" status are designed to comply with the ANSI DAT cassette
specification.
The beginning-of-tape (BOT) and end-of-tape (EaT) sensors are optical sensors designed to detect the light
path transmissivity of leader and trailer tapes as specified in the ANSI DDS cassette standard. The reel
sensors for the two reels are optical. Also, three optical sensors detect mechanism position during mode
changes.
The capstan sensor is a magneto-resistive Hall sensor that detects a magnetic field. The cylinder sensors are
coil and magnet sensors. Each reel motor contains a high-resolution, optical speed encoder.
The dew sensor is a humidity sensor that uses carbon-composition film formed by a hydroscopic resin to
detect humidity.
8.3.5 Audio Output Jack
The Python drives can read prerecorded 44.1 KHz wide-track DAT audio tapes or 48
KHz
normal-track
tapes. When an audio DAT cassette is inserted, the drive automatically plays the tape.
The Python internal models provide pads on the rear panel for digital audio output so that mixed media
applications have the capability for audible stereo output through a connected audio device when used with
an external digital-to-analog converter, preamplifier, amplifier, and speakers.
8-10
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