TU58 DECtape II
| TU58 | |
 TU58 drive (in standalone case) | |
| Manufacturer: | DEC |
|---|---|
| Drive Controller(s): | built in |
| Interface Type: | asynchronous serial line or parallel |
| Media: | DECtape II |
| Tape density: | 800 bpi |
| Tape speed: | 30 ips (read/write) 60 ips (search) |
| Size: | 5.2"H x 13.6"D x 19"W |
| Weight: | 20 lbs |
The TU58 DECtape II magnetic tape drive used the DECtape-II cartridge, which could hold 256KB. A TU58 unit contained one or two drives, but with two, only one could be operated at a time. It was available in both a standalone case (suitable for desktop usage, or mounting in a 19" rack), or as a bare unit (for mounting in some other unit, such as a PDP-11/44); in either, it required an external source of power (an optional power supply was available with the standalone case).
The unit included control electronics, including a microprocessor and firmware; two versions of the control electronics were available. One (the TU58-XB, DEC part number 54-13489) provided an asynchronous serial line interface, for connection to the host computer via a standard serial line device controller; the other (the TU58-XC, part number 54-13491) provided a parallel interface. The former supported both RS-232 and RS-422; the baud rate could be set from 8.4 Kbaud to 150 baud by configuration jumpers.
Average access time using random access was 9.3 seconds; maximum was 28. Data was verified by a checksum on each record.
