Functional Benefits; Fast Media Load/Unload - Sony AIT-SDX460 Product Specifications Manual

Manufacturer Information,
Memory Management Information,
Cassette Serial Number,
etc.
Accumulative System Log
System Log for Partition #0 (64Bytes)
System Log for Partition #1 (64Bytes)
User Volume Note (6,560 Bytes)
Super High Speed Search MAP (480Bytes)
Figure F-3: An possible AIT-E TURBO, AIT-1 TURBO contact type of MIC layout for a two partition tape

14.2. Functional Benefits

The information maintained within MIC can be used to provide various tape sub-system benefits to users. In this
section we discuss the following features available with MIC cartridges and SDX-460V drives: fast load/unload,
super high speed search, and data integrity and media management.

14.2.1. Fast Media Load/Unload

The System Log information stored in the MIC and shown in Figure F-3 does not need to be duplicated on tape and
is available to the drive while threading or unthreading the tape. Using MIC, the drive can write the System Log
information in as little as 10 milliseconds compared to 13 seconds needed without MIC (see Figure F-4). Figure F-4
illustrates the process used to accelerate the media unload after a write operation. Figure F-5 illustrates the process
used to accelerate media load operation. The System Log information update to tape is skipped when MIC cartridge
is used.
Note: The values shown in the figures below are approximated and are not part of the specification.
SONY AIT-1Turbo drive SDX-460V series Ver.1.0
HEADER (1024Bytes)
The overhead for User Volume Note is 10 bytes.
The overhead for an User Partition Note is 12 bytes.
User Volume Note shall be created
before any User Partition Note. User
Volume Note cannot be deleted, cannot
be expanded and cannot be shrinked
except initializing time.
6,688 Bytes (in case of the 64kbits contact type of MIC)
- Give 6,560 bytes of pure user data for User Volume Note.
- Give 2 partitions.
- No User Partition Note.
14. Appendix F
14-3