Difference between revisions of "TU81 Streaming Tape Unit"

From Computer History Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(Created page with "thumb|right|200px|A TU81 Big 9-track tape-drivers for heavy backup duties. Category:Tape Drives")
 
m (External links: More accurate cat)
 
(10 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Image:tu81.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A TU81]]
+
{{Infobox Tape drive
 +
| name = TU81 Streaming Tape Unit
 +
| image = tu81.jpg
 +
| imgwidth = 150px
 +
| caption = A TU81
 +
| manufacturer = [[Digital Equipment Corporation]]
 +
| media = standard half-inch tape
 +
| controller = [[KLESI Low-End Storage Interconnect]]<br>KLESI-UA (M8739, [[UNIBUS]]); KLESI-QA (M7740, [[QBUS]]) KLESI-B (T1014, [[VAX Bus Interconnect|VAXBI]])
 +
| interface = [[Low End System Interconnect]]
 +
| tape speed = 75 inch/sec (high speed streaming mode) or 25 inch/sec (start/stop mode or low-speed streaming mode)
 +
| tape density = 1600 bpi (PE), 6250 bpi (GCR)
 +
| capacity = 40 MB (1600 bpi, 2K byte blocks)<br>145 MB (6250 bpi, 8K byte blocks)
 +
| transfer rate = 40 Kbyte/sec (low speed), 1200 Kbyte/sec (high; 1600 bpi)<br>156 Kbyte/sec (low speed), 469 Kbyte/sec (high; 6250 bpi)
 +
| rewind speed = 192 ips (average)
 +
| rewind time = 150 secs (nominal, 2,400')
 +
| power = 300 VA (standby or loaded)<br>550 VA (maximum)
 +
| size = 41.5"H x 21.5"W x 30"D
 +
| weight = 295 lbs
 +
| year introduced = 1984
 +
}}
  
Big 9-track tape-drivers for heavy backup duties.
+
The '''TU81 Streaming Tape Unit''' was a mid-range dual-density, 9-track, streaming, [[ANSI]]-standard [[magnetic tape drive]] for heavy backup duties. <!-- built and sold by -->
  
[[Category:Tape Drives]]
+
The recording density, of either 1600 bpi (using [[Phase Encoding|PE]] [[encoding]]) or 6250 bpi (using [[Group Coded Recording|GCR]] encoding), was selectable by software.
 +
 
 +
The TU81 servo/control module used a [[Motorola]] [[MC6802|6802]] processor, a variant of the [[MC6800|6800]] with 128 bytes of internal [[Random Access Memory|RAM]] and an internal clock oscillator. There was also a [[6821 PIA|6821]] [[Parallel Interface Adapter]] [[integrated circuit|chip]] used for communication between the Servo/Control [[microprocessor]] and the Formatter Write microprocessor (on a different board).
 +
 
 +
Two [[6840 PTM|6840]] Programmable Counter / Programmable Timer Module chips were used to count servo tachs. The [[firmware]] was stored in two [[read-only memory|ROM]] chips.
 +
 
 +
==Further reading==
 +
 
 +
* ''TU81/TA81 and TU81 PLUS Subsystem User's Guide'' (EK-TUA81-UG)
 +
 
 +
''No longer available online''
 +
 
 +
==External links==
 +
 
 +
* [http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/magtape/tu81/ TU81] - documentation at [[Bitsavers]]
 +
** [http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/magtape/tu81/EK-TUA81-TM_002_Nov85.pdf EK-TUA81-TM_002 TU81/TA81 Technical Manual]
 +
** [http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/magtape/tu81/EK-TUA81-SV-003_Pathf_Sep85.pdf TU81/TA81 Pathfinder] (EK-TUA81-SV-003)
 +
** [http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/magtape/tu81/MP01618_TU81_EngrDrws_Jul84.pdf TU81 Maintenance Print Set]
 +
* [https://www.vaxhaven.com/images/9/9b/EK-0TU81-PS-002.pdf TU81 Magnetic Tape Subsystem Pocket Service Guide] (EK-0TU81-PS-002)
 +
* [http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/brochures/DEC-TA79+TA81-MagneticTapeSubsystems-1986.pdf TA78 and TA81 Magnetic Tape Subsystems] - brochure, covers the TU81 too
 +
* [http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/brochures/DEC-TA79+TA81-MagneticTapeSubsystems.pdf TA79 and TA81 Magnetic Tape Subsystems] - brochure, similar
 +
 
 +
[[Category: LESI Tape Drives]]

Latest revision as of 20:32, 23 April 2024


TU81 Streaming Tape Unit
Tu81.jpg
A TU81
Manufacturer: Digital Equipment Corporation
Drive Controller(s): KLESI Low-End Storage Interconnect
KLESI-UA (M8739, UNIBUS); KLESI-QA (M7740, QBUS) KLESI-B (T1014, VAXBI)
Interface Type: Low End System 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: 1984


The TU81 Streaming Tape Unit was a mid-range dual-density, 9-track, streaming, ANSI-standard magnetic tape drive for heavy backup duties.

The recording density, of either 1600 bpi (using PE encoding) or 6250 bpi (using GCR encoding), was selectable by software.

The TU81 servo/control module used a Motorola 6802 processor, a variant of the 6800 with 128 bytes of internal RAM and an internal clock oscillator. There was also a 6821 Parallel Interface Adapter chip used for communication between the Servo/Control microprocessor and the Formatter Write microprocessor (on a different board).

Two 6840 Programmable Counter / Programmable Timer Module chips were used to count servo tachs. The firmware was stored in two ROM chips.

Further reading

  • TU81/TA81 and TU81 PLUS Subsystem User's Guide (EK-TUA81-UG)

No longer available online

External links