TA81 Streaming Tape Unit
From Computer History Wiki
| TA81 Streaming Tape Unit | |
| Manufacturer: | Digital Equipment Corporation |
|---|---|
| Drive Controller(s): | any Hierarchical Storage Controller |
| Interface Type: | Standard Tape Interconnect |
| Media: | standard half-inch tape |
| Tape density: | 1600 bpi (PE), 6250 bpi (GCR) |
| Capacity: | 40 MB (1600 bpi, 2K byte blocks) 145 MB (6250 bpi, 8K byte blocks) |
| Tape speed: | 75 inch/sec (high speed streaming mode) or 25 inch/sec (start/stop mode or low-speed streaming mode) |
| Data rate: | 40 Kbyte/sec (low speed), 1200 Kbyte/sec (high; 1600 bpi) 156 Kbyte/sec (low speed), 469 Kbyte/sec (high; 6250 bpi) |
| Rewind speed: | 192 ips (average) |
| Rewind time: | 150 secs (nominal, 2,400') |
| Power consumption: | 300 VA (standby or loaded) 550 VA (maximum) |
| Size: | 41.5"H x 21.5"W x 30"D |
| Weight: | 295 lbs |
| Year Introduced: | 1985 |
The TA81 Streaming Tape Unit was a mid-range dual-density, 9-track, streaming, ANSI-standard magnetic tape drive for heavy backup duties. It was basically a TU81, but fitted with a Standard Tape Interconnect/Standard Drive Bus interface controller, instead of the TMSCP/Low End System Interconnect interface controller of the TU81. The TA81 is dual-ported, and can be connected to two different Hierarchical Storage Controllers.
The recording density, of either 1600 bpi (using PE encoding) or 6250 bpi (using GCR encoding), was selectable by software.
Further reading
- TU81/TA81 and TU81 PLUS Subsystem User's Guide (EK-TUA81-UG)
No longer available online
External links
- TU81/TA81 Technical Manual (EK-TUA81-TM_002)
- TU81/TA81 Pathfinder (EK-TUA81-SV-003)
- TA78 and TA81 Magnetic Tape Subsystems - brochure, covers the TU81 too
- TA79 and TA81 Magnetic Tape Subsystems - brochure, ditto
