Difference between revisions of "TS03 DECmagtape Transport"

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{{Infobox Tape drive
 
{{Infobox Tape drive
| name = TS03
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| name = TS03 DECmagtape Transport
 
| caption = TS03 drive
 
| caption = TS03 drive
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| controller = [[TM11 magtape controller|TM11]], [[TM8-E Controller|TM8-E]]
 
| tape speed = 12-1/2 ips (Forward/Reverse)<br>120 ips (Rewind)
 
| tape speed = 12-1/2 ips (Forward/Reverse)<br>120 ips (Rewind)
 
| size = 19"W x 17"D x 10-1/2"H
 
| size = 19"W x 17"D x 10-1/2"H
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}}
 
}}
  
The '''TS03''' is a low-cost, smallish, modest performance [[magnetic tape]] drive from [[Digital Equipment Corporation|DEC]].
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The '''TS03 DECmagtape Transport''' was a low-cost, smallish, modest performance [[magnetic tape drive]] from [[Digital Equipment Corporation|DEC]].
  
It is able to store 5 Mbytes on a 600' 0.5" wide tape, on a standard 7" (i.e. small) reel. It supports 9-track operation at 800 BPI only, using [[NRZI]] [[encoding]]. The tape transport utilizes a single capstan, with linear-drive reel servos, and mechanical servo arms to control tape tension.
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It is able to store 5 Mbytes on a 600' 0.5" wide tape, on a standard 7" (i.e. small) reel. It supported 9-track operation at 800 BPI only, using [[NRZI]] [[encoding]]. The tape transport utilized a single capstan, with linear-drive reel servos, and mechanical servo arms to control tape tension.
  
To connect to [[UNIBUS]] machine such as a [[PDP-11]], one of the [[TM11 magtape controller|TM11 series]] of magtape [[device controller]]s is used; the TS03 shipped with a TMB11. (Details of the controller-drive interface are given [[TM11 magtape controller#Drive Connection|here]].)
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To connect to [[UNIBUS]] machine such as a [[PDP-11]], one of the [[TM11 magtape controller|TM11 series]] of magtape [[device controller]]s was used; the TS03 usually shipped with a TMB11. (Details of the controller-drive interface are given [[TM11 magtape controller#Drive Connection|here]].) To connect to the [[OMNIBUS]] on a [[PDP-8 family|PDP-8]], a [[TM8-E Controller]] was used.
  
A single controller could handle up to two TS03 drives; the first TS03 drive is a 'Master', and contains a [[DEC card form factor|hex]]-sized M8920 interface board to adapt the TM11 interface to the drive; the additional 'Slave' drive may be connected to the Master drive.
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A single controller could handle up to two TS03 drives; the first TS03 drive was a 'Master', and contained a [[DEC card form factor|hex]]-sized M8920 interface board to adapt the TM11 interface to the drive; the additional 'Slave' drive may be connected to the Master drive.
  
 
A TS03 drive can be mounted on slides in a standard 10-1/2" mounting space in a normal DEC rack such as an [[H960 rack|H960]].
 
A TS03 drive can be mounted on slides in a standard 10-1/2" mounting space in a normal DEC rack such as an [[H960 rack|H960]].
  
[[Category:Tape Drives]]
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{{semi-stub}}
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==External links==
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* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/magtape/tmb11/EK-TMB11-OP-001_Nov76.pdf TMB11/TS03 DECmagtape system user's manual (TMB11-M system)] (EK-TMB11-OP-001)
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* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/pdp8/omnibus/EK-T3TM8-MM-001_TS03-TM8-E_DECmagtape_System_Maintenance_Manual_Apr76.pdf TS03/TM8-E DECmagtape system maintenance manual] (EK-T3TM8-MM-001)
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* [http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/magtape/ts03/TS03M_engrDrawings_1975.pdf TS03-M Engineering Drawings]
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* [https://www.pdp-11.nl/peripherals/tape/ts03-info.html TS03 tape drive]
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[[Category: DEC Tape Drives]]

Latest revision as of 04:07, 9 January 2024


TS03 DECmagtape Transport
Drive Controller(s): TM11, TM8-E
Tape speed: 12-1/2 ips (Forward/Reverse)
120 ips (Rewind)
Size: 19"W x 17"D x 10-1/2"H
Weight: 34 lbs


The TS03 DECmagtape Transport was a low-cost, smallish, modest performance magnetic tape drive from DEC.

It is able to store 5 Mbytes on a 600' 0.5" wide tape, on a standard 7" (i.e. small) reel. It supported 9-track operation at 800 BPI only, using NRZI encoding. The tape transport utilized a single capstan, with linear-drive reel servos, and mechanical servo arms to control tape tension.

To connect to UNIBUS machine such as a PDP-11, one of the TM11 series of magtape device controllers was used; the TS03 usually shipped with a TMB11. (Details of the controller-drive interface are given here.) To connect to the OMNIBUS on a PDP-8, a TM8-E Controller was used.

A single controller could handle up to two TS03 drives; the first TS03 drive was a 'Master', and contained a hex-sized M8920 interface board to adapt the TM11 interface to the drive; the additional 'Slave' drive may be connected to the Master drive.

A TS03 drive can be mounted on slides in a standard 10-1/2" mounting space in a normal DEC rack such as an H960.

External links