Difference between revisions of "TE16 DECmagtape Transport"

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m (Jnc moved page TE16 to TE16 magtape drive: Common naming system)
(Details on upgrades; fix to TE10N slaves)
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| name = TE16
 
| name = TE16
 
| caption = TE16 drive
 
| caption = TE16 drive
 +
| media = 1/2", 10-1/2" reel
 
| tape speed = 45 ips (Forward/Reverse)<br>150 ips (Rewind)
 
| tape speed = 45 ips (Forward/Reverse)<br>150 ips (Rewind)
 +
| tape density = 800 bpi ([[Non Return to Zero Inverted|NRZI]])<br>1600 bpi ([[Phase Encoded|PE]])     
 
| size = 19"W x 25"D x 26"H
 
| size = 19"W x 25"D x 26"H
 
| weight = 150 lbs
 
| weight = 150 lbs
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
The '''TE16''' is a classic big [[magnetic tape]] drive from [[Digital Equipment Corporation|DEC]]; it is an updated version of the [[TU16]], with detail improvements to the electronics and mechanicals.
+
The '''TE16''' is a classic big [[magnetic tape]] drive from [[Digital Equipment Corporation|DEC]]; it is an updated version of the [[TU16]], with detail improvements to the [[electronics]] and mechanicals.
 +
 
 +
The improvements include:
 +
* Electronics
 +
** Improved G066 [[head]] read amplifier card
 +
** New logic and write module, with auto-load
 +
** New power and servo module with support for dynamic braking and auto-load
 +
** New voltage regulator module with increased power output
 +
* Mechanical
 +
** Various tape path improvements, including another roller guide
 +
** Fixed take-up reel
 +
** Snap-lock lower hub
  
 
It is able to store 5-46 Mbytes on a 2400' 0.5" wide tape, on a standard 10-1/2" reel. It supports 7-track operation at 200, 556, and 800 BPI, and 9-track operation 800 and 1600 BPI. The tape transport utilizes a single capstan, with vacuum columns.
 
It is able to store 5-46 Mbytes on a 2400' 0.5" wide tape, on a standard 10-1/2" reel. It supports 7-track operation at 200, 556, and 800 BPI, and 9-track operation 800 and 1600 BPI. The tape transport utilizes a single capstan, with vacuum columns.
 +
 +
==On-board electronics==
  
 
The TU16 drive contains a fair amount of electronics, in the form of several boards in a 4-slot [[DEC card form factor|hex]]-high [[backplane]]:
 
The TU16 drive contains a fair amount of electronics, in the form of several boards in a 4-slot [[DEC card form factor|hex]]-high [[backplane]]:
  
 +
*G066 - Read Amplifier (compatible with the earlier G056)
 
*M8916 - Logic and Write
 
*M8916 - Logic and Write
 
*M8911-YB (M8931 in later models, required for TM03) - Slave Clock, Motion Delay
 
*M8911-YB (M8931 in later models, required for TM03) - Slave Clock, Motion Delay
−
*M8912 - Slave Test Function Generator (two)
+
*M8912 - Slave Test Function Generator
−
*G066 - Read Amplifier (compatible with the earlier G056)
 
  
 
The G066 and M8916 are hex cards; the others are dual. In addition, that backplane normally also contains three dual-high cards which interface to the drive bus:
 
The G066 and M8916 are hex cards; the others are dual. In addition, that backplane normally also contains three dual-high cards which interface to the drive bus:
Line 30: Line 45:
 
*M9001-YC - Bus Connector
 
*M9001-YC - Bus Connector
  
−
==Controllers==
+
==Controllers and Drive Variants==
  
 
To connect to [[UNIBUS]] [[PDP-11]]'s, one of three controller types can be used.
 
To connect to [[UNIBUS]] [[PDP-11]]'s, one of three controller types can be used.
  
−
The TE16 is normally used with a [[TM02]] or [[TM03]] controller, which is a [[MASSBUS]] controller; a TM02/03 can handle up to eight TE16 drives. The TE16/TM02 with an [[RH11]] MASSBUS interface is denominated as a '''TJE16'''; with the [[RH70]] MASSBUS interface of the [[PDP-11/70]], it is denominated as a '''TWE16'''.
+
The TE16 is normally used with a [[TM02]] or [[TM03]] controller, which is a [[MASSBUS]] controller; a TM02/03 can handle up to eight TE16 drives.
 +
 
 +
The TE16/TM02 with an [[RH11]] MASSBUS interface is denominated as a '''TJE16'''; with the [[RH70]] MASSBUS interface of the [[PDP-11/70]], it is denominated as a '''TWE16'''.
 +
 
 +
The TE16 can also be used with one of the [[TM11 magtape controller|TM11 series]] of magtape controllers.
 +
 
 +
To connect to these controllers, in the first drive, the three dual-high bus interface cards (above) are replaced by an M8926 interface board; this produces a so-called '''TE10W''' 'Master' drive.(Details of the controller-Master interface are given [[TM11 magtape controller#Drive bus|here]].)
 +
 
 +
Additional TE10W 'Slave' drives (essentially a plain TE16 drive), up to seven of them, may be connected to the TE10W Master drive.
  
−
The TE16 can also be used with one of the [[TM11 magtape controller|TM11 series]] of magtape controllers. To connect to these controllers, in the first drive, the three dual-high bus interface cards (above) are replaced by an M8926 interface board. (Details of the controller-Master interface are given [[TM11 magtape controller#Drive bus|here]].) Such a drive is a 'Master' '''TE10W''' drive; additional TE10W 'Slave' drives (essentially a plain TE16 drive), up to seven of them, may be connected to the Master drive.
+
Replacing the three dual-high bus interface cards with an M8927 interface board creates a '''TE10N''' negative bus 'Slave' drive; this drive can replace a TU10 Slave drive, and may be used any place a TU10 Slave would be (e.g. with a negative bus controller such as a [[TC58]] [[OMNIBUS]] controller or [[TM10]] controller).
  
−
Finally, replacing the three dual-high bus interface cards (above) with an M8927 interface board creates a '''TE10N''' negative bus drive; this drive can replace a TU10 Slave drive, and may be used any place a TU10 Slave would be (e.g. with a negative bus controller such as a [[TC58]] [[OMNIBUS]] controller). As above, additional TE10W 'Slave' drives (up to seven) may be connected to the Master drive.
+
Again, additional TE10W Slave drives (up to a total of 8 drives, including TU10 drives) may be connected to the TE10N Slave drive.
  
 
<!-- ==7-track/9-track Differences==
 
<!-- ==7-track/9-track Differences==

Revision as of 21:44, 15 June 2018


TE16
Media: 1/2", 10-1/2" reel
Tape density: 800 bpi (NRZI)
1600 bpi (PE)
Tape speed: 45 ips (Forward/Reverse)
150 ips (Rewind)
Size: 19"W x 25"D x 26"H
Weight: 150 lbs


The TE16 is a classic big magnetic tape drive from DEC; it is an updated version of the TU16, with detail improvements to the electronics and mechanicals.

The improvements include:

  • Electronics
    • Improved G066 head read amplifier card
    • New logic and write module, with auto-load
    • New power and servo module with support for dynamic braking and auto-load
    • New voltage regulator module with increased power output
  • Mechanical
    • Various tape path improvements, including another roller guide
    • Fixed take-up reel
    • Snap-lock lower hub

It is able to store 5-46 Mbytes on a 2400' 0.5" wide tape, on a standard 10-1/2" reel. It supports 7-track operation at 200, 556, and 800 BPI, and 9-track operation 800 and 1600 BPI. The tape transport utilizes a single capstan, with vacuum columns.

On-board electronics

The TU16 drive contains a fair amount of electronics, in the form of several boards in a 4-slot hex-high backplane:

  • G066 - Read Amplifier (compatible with the earlier G056)
  • M8916 - Logic and Write
  • M8911-YB (M8931 in later models, required for TM03) - Slave Clock, Motion Delay
  • M8912 - Slave Test Function Generator

The G066 and M8916 are hex cards; the others are dual. In addition, that backplane normally also contains three dual-high cards which interface to the drive bus:

  • M8913 - Data driver
  • M9001 - Bus Connector
  • M9001-YA - Bus Connector

This set of three cards was later replaced with M9039. On the last drive on the bus, these cards are replaced with:

  • M8913-YA - Data driver
  • M9001-YB - Bus Connector
  • M9001-YC - Bus Connector

Controllers and Drive Variants

To connect to UNIBUS PDP-11's, one of three controller types can be used.

The TE16 is normally used with a TM02 or TM03 controller, which is a MASSBUS controller; a TM02/03 can handle up to eight TE16 drives.

The TE16/TM02 with an RH11 MASSBUS interface is denominated as a TJE16; with the RH70 MASSBUS interface of the PDP-11/70, it is denominated as a TWE16.

The TE16 can also be used with one of the TM11 series of magtape controllers.

To connect to these controllers, in the first drive, the three dual-high bus interface cards (above) are replaced by an M8926 interface board; this produces a so-called TE10W 'Master' drive.(Details of the controller-Master interface are given here.)

Additional TE10W 'Slave' drives (essentially a plain TE16 drive), up to seven of them, may be connected to the TE10W Master drive.

Replacing the three dual-high bus interface cards with an M8927 interface board creates a TE10N negative bus 'Slave' drive; this drive can replace a TU10 Slave drive, and may be used any place a TU10 Slave would be (e.g. with a negative bus controller such as a TC58 OMNIBUS controller or TM10 controller).

Again, additional TE10W Slave drives (up to a total of 8 drives, including TU10 drives) may be connected to the TE10N Slave drive.

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