Difference between revisions of "TS03 DECmagtape Transport"

From Computer History Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(OMNIBUS, manuals)
m (Formal DEC name)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{Infobox Tape drive
 
{{Infobox Tape drive
| name = TS03
+
| name = TS03 DECmagtape Transport
 
| caption = TS03 drive
 
| caption = TS03 drive
 
| controller = [[TM11 magtape controller|TM11]], [[TM8-E Controller|TM8-E]]
 
| controller = [[TM11 magtape controller|TM11]], [[TM8-E Controller|TM8-E]]
Line 8: Line 8:
 
}}
 
}}
  
The '''TS03''' was a low-cost, smallish, modest performance [[magnetic tape drive]] from [[Digital Equipment Corporation|DEC]].
+
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 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.
 
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.

Revision as of 03:06, 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