Tennecomp Minidek Part 2
Tennecomp Minidek Part 2
PART II
HOW TO USE THE MINIDEK
PART II
Copyright 0 1971 by
TENNECOMP, Inco constantly endeavors to improve the usefulness of its products and publi-
cations. Your comments and suggestions wi II be appreci ated .
Please list errors, unclear areas, additional material, figures, or tables which should be In-
eluded, mcterial which should be omitted, areas where organization or presentation can be
improved, etc., in the space below.
Publ ication:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Comments or Corrections:
Please use additional sheets if necessary, or send us aC'omplete publication with marginaf
notes. We wi II copy off your remarks and return it to you immediately .. "
Name Position
Organi zati on
---------------------------------------------------------------
Street Address
--------------City --------State ---Zip---
Country
-------------------------------- Thank you.
10/9/68
QJ ....................... , ••••••••••••••• • FI RST FOLD HERE ............ , .......•....•..
FIRST CLASS
Permit No. 141
BUSINESS REPLY MAIL Oak Ridge, Tenn.
No Postage Stamp Necessary if Mailed in the
Uni ted States
INTRODUCTION
1• Tape transport
2. Read/Write amplifiers, and associated electronics for assembling
and disassembling dato written on tape, and the necessary circuitry
to c~ntro I the movement of the tape. .
3. The interface between the tape recorder and the particular mini-
computer to which the tape is connected.
The tape transport is that part of the tape which includes all mechanical ports such
as the motor, capstan, pinch roller, cartridge, magnetic heads, and the end/beginning
of tape sensors.
Data is written on tape through a four-track magnetic head. The track may be
chosen either through a rotary switch located on the front panel of the tape drive
or automatically by the program when rotary switches are placed on "auto" position.
The Auto Track Select reduces the average time needed for accessing any part of
the tope by a factor of four. The beginning of tape {which is also the end of ta_~~_
is sensed by a head with two contacts that are shorted when the beginning of tape
marker passes under the head. The BOT sensor is DC coupled all the way, enabl ing
the user to sense the beginning of tape any time. This feature is particularly useful
at the beginning of operation, sinca in this case there is no need for rewinding the
tape if the sensing head happens to be on the BOT marker. The Read/Write mode is
selected by a relay which, when activated, connects the head terminals to the write
circuitry. Otherwise, the head terminals are connected to the read amplifier, which
is also located inside the transport frame. The read amplifier is composed of three
linear IC's which, besides amplifying the signal from the magnetic head, also rectify
it for Further processing by the read/write electronics.
As the name suggests, this part of the tape may be subdivided into three parts:
a. Control Electronics
b. Write Electronics
c. Read Electronics.
·CAR. TillDGE I/JS£ieTIO;J SLOT
,/----- ---- -----_. ----
./
'k
[I !I/
1
LIFTH£RETOREL£AS£ e :5
.-...
FIL£ PROTECT
-- - - - - . - - -
[IG /-IT
Y1/RIT£ PER/AIT PIN
- ----------
-------.----.-.-
TAPE CAF2-rre/PG[:.-
-cJI- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -.-._-, ------. -.-.
DESIGNED I APPROVED
SHEET OF
DRAWN DATE DWG_ NO.
~,
'.
J-.• 1;1,1_
] ! I /
.. __ -- ..
:-; I! t _-if ,;.~
".Jl: __ ;_,-/ __
I . . ~ 1'1' f
I--
I
I
I
I
I
STATUS CALL ~
BI TS PER WORD
MASTER CLEAR
[~
-[>I
.,
.--[:>1 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - --- ----.--...-..--
WRITE EOR GAP
'--f>l I
CLEAR BOT FLAG [ ~ .~
ENAB/DI SAB OUTPUT
r-"Q~
DA LINES
.,
,
~
I
'. OUTPUT LEVEL
.
~
TRANSPORT SELECT
~
: LO '" 0; HI", 1
TRACK SE LECr
.. I
,
OP CODE
BOT SENSE
[~
GAP DETECT FLAG ~.
WRITE FLAG P
READ FLAG 1<>
REWIND TRANSPORT 1 -d-
REWIND TRANSPORT 2
WRITE & CLEAR WRITE FLAG
--tl-
---tt-
CLEAR READ FLAG -{)r-
I
I
I
1- - " - ""'---TE-I-WE-CO-M-P-S-YS-TE-M-S,-'N----'C.
TP-..J371. IIIT£R.FACE L/N£~
DESIGNED APPROVED
·WR. a. SHEETJ Of 1.
DRAWN DATE DWG. NO.
The complete operation of the TP-1371 tape unit is controlled through the command
register in the control electronics. This register is seven bits 10081 and is loded and
cleared by the computer by 1/0 instructions and the least significant bits of the
a·ccumulator. The information from the accumulator should indicate: 1. The operation
code;2. The track to be selected; 3. The transport number (always 0 with TP-1371);
4. Whether the operation should be controlled by the interrupt bus. Figure 2 shows the
bit configuration of the command register.
C]~[~~.
'---"y~-..".,.)
__I=L_ _. :: :_. . . . . •.:J
'--'~-Y'----.-/'~-----~----'~"-'" .~..-/
INTERRUPT TRANSPORT TRACK II OPERATION CODE
FIGURE 2.
1. Nap - 000. AIr operation halts, the motor is stopped, and the pinch roller is disengaged.
2. Read - 001. In this mode the tape moves, the terminals of the selected track wi II
be connected to the read amplifier, and data from the tape reach the read electronics.
The read mode wi II hold until a gap or BOT is elected, in which case the NOP mode
is entered.
3. Write - 010. In this mode the tape moves the write relay is pulled in, the terminals
of the selected track are connected to the write amplifiers. After the desired data have
been written (with standard Tennecomp record program), the tape unit will go into the
Rewind Mode until the BOT is sensed and then into the NOP mode.
4. Rewind - 011. The tape moves until BOT is detected, then the unit enters the NOP
mode. The BOT Flag must be cleared before reloading the command register.
5. Gap Count - 101. This is the same as the read mode except that the read flag is
not raised. This mode is useful for searching for a block on tape. No data are read, but
the gaps between blocks are detected; thus the software can count the number of gaps
and select the block searched for. When a gap is detected, the NOP mode is entered and
the command register must be re-Ioaded for the desi red operation.
2. 1
The transport is selected with lSB-5. With the TP- 1371 this Bit must always be 0 for
operation since there is onry one transport. With the TP-1372 option (two transports)
a in lSB 5 selects transport 1 and a 1 in this location selects transport 2 •
In general only one transport may be in operation at anyone time with the two-transport
TP-1372 option • However, whi Ie one transport is bei ng operated in the command register,
the other may be rewound by pursing the rewind lines.
2.2
The tape transport is the electro-mechanical part of the tape unit. The backbone of
the transport is a much modified broadcast quality audio playback tape transport, which
uti Iizes standard conti nuous loop take cartridges at 7.5 inches per second. The tape
is moved across the head by a 110 V. 60 Hz synchronous motor (0 220 V. 50 I-Iz version
is available for export models) by use of the time tested reliable capstan, pinch roller
method. The capstan is attached directly to a friction free, balanced flywheel that is
dual bolt driven by the motor. The pinch roller is pulled against i'he capstan by a
relay controlled solenoid under program control.
Data are written on and read from tape through a four-track magnetic head. Track
selection may be made either manually or automatically under program control by setting
the swi teh on the front pane I of the transport to the desi red track or to the "auto II
posHion. The Auto Track Select (standard with I-he TP-1371 Mini Deck) reduces the
average access time by a factor of four.
The beginning of tape (also the end of tape) is sensed by a special head with two contacts
that are shorted by the beginning of 'rape marker when it passes under the head e The
Beginning of Tape (BOT) is Dee. coupled 1'0 i-he electronics, enabling the user to sense
the BOT any time .. This is particularly useful at the beginning of operation since there
is no need for rewinding i-he tape if the head happens to be on i-he BOT marker.
The Read/Write mode is seleci'ed by a reliable hermetically sealed, dry read relay
also under program controL When activaf'ed this relay cOnt1ects the head terminals
(selee-I'ed by the rotalY swHchor by program oon1'1"ol) -to the write amplifiers. Unless
the TP-1371 is in the write mode, the head terminals are connected to the read amplifier
through the Read/VVrite relay in its relaxed si"ate.
The write amplifiers are C1 pari' of a Tp...21, TTL to Negal'ive Sink Driver card, located
in the bottom part- of ,the transport chassis. The write amplifiers receive ,-he phase encoded
write pulses from the wrHe electronics and amplify j-hese to levels suitable for writing
on magnel'ic tape.
The Tape Read Amplifier is C1 TP-014 A ompli-Fier cord and is facot-ed in the small compart-
ment directly behind the track select switch. The read amplifier consists of three linear IC's,
which amplify the signals from the read head ol1d IimH and rectify them for processing
by the read electronics.
File Protect Circuitryo The Tp·-1371 transport is equipped with special circuitry which
wi II preveni' users from accidentally writing on tapes that they donlt really want to write
on. Each tape cartridge sold by Tennecomp Systems has C1 small pin inse.·ted in a hole in
the top fl'Ont. After a program 01" record has been written on the cartridge and if the user
does not intend to write on i-he cartridge for some period of time, he should remove this
pin and s'tore it for use ai- CI later date. Should i-he user hy to write on a tape cartridge
2.3
without a file protect pin inserted, the white light on the front panel of the transport
will glow and the write pulses will be inhibited through a resistor and neither the
TP-1371 nor the previous recorded data wi II be harmed. Thus the user, for his own
protection, must make a conscious effort before writing on tape.
2.4
The transport is selected by bits in the commQnd register.. When the lSB-5
bit is "0", transport #1 is selected, and when the LSB...·5bit is "l", transport
#2 is selected.
INTERRUPT ENA/DIS: This bit enables (when "1") or disables the tape
contro lIer from the i nten-upt bus.
For the proper operation of the tape, hardware defays are bui It in and are triggered
whenever needed. These delays are the following:
1• RD Start Delay (200 ms): This delay is triggered whenever Read mode
is selected .. It is intended 'to allow the tape to come to speed before data
is read from tape.
2. RD BOT (600 ms): This delay is triggered when the trailing edge of the
BOT marker is passed over the contactor head. This delay allows the BOT
marker to pass over the Read/Wri te head before data is read off the tape.
3. WRT BOT GAP (700 ms): This delay is triggered when the trailing edge
of the BOT marker is passed over the contoctor head. This delay allows
the BOT marker to pass over the Read/Write head before data may be
wrHtenon tope While this delay is activated, the tape is saturated in
0
the reference di rection e Note that i-his delay is longer thon the RD BOT delay.
Thus the Read starts 100 ms (1 .5" of tope at 7.5 Jl /sec) before actual data
may be found, eliminating any possibility of losing data.
4.. WRT START DELAY (300 ms): This delay is triggered whenever the WRT
mode is entered. Its function is to prevent writing of data on tape untj I
the motor reaches its finol speed. While this delay is activated, the tape
wi II be saturated in the reference di ..action. Note that this delay is longer
that the RD START delay, eliminating any possibility of losing data in the
READ mode.
5. WRT EOR (600ms): This delay is triggered by (m Input/output instruction
(6371 for PDP-S/l). The WRT EOR instruction is ini tiated under program
control for separating blocks of data written on tape. The gap generated
by this instruction is detected when in READ mode, notifying the computer
and stopping the motor. Note that the delay is longer than the sum of
RD START delay and WRT START delay, thereby providing enough time
for the motor to stop when the EOR gop is detected and restarted again
without losing data"
bits, and may be selected by grounding one pin on fhe READ/WRITE printed
circuit card The word is then righi' shifted Cit constant' rate (5KHz derived
G
from a crystal clock) and the serial output of the shift register is applied to
the phase encoding ci rcui t whose output is wri tten on tape. When the fast
bit of the word is tronsmitted, i-he flWRT FLAG" is raised. The flag may be
tested by the computer by reodi n9 the sl'oi'us register.. The bi t configuration
in the status register is as follows:
Whenever the WRT FLAG is raised l the status calf goes high. The STATUS
CALL is usualfy connected to the priority interrupt bus and may be interrogated
through an input/output skip instruction. When the computer recognizes the
WRT fl091 it will transmit the next word t'o the write shift register from the
accumulator by an Input/Ouf'put instruction (WRT WORD & CLEAR WRT FLAG)
L-,-,_:,..~.:~-~":,~::~~.,:'-.:.:J which afso clears i-he WRT FLAG. The computer must
transmit the word to i-he tape in less than 2 ms following the setting of the WRT
flag; otherwise I the space between the two words will be too fon9, causing the
READ Electronics to identify it as a gap.
2.3 Interfacing":
To foci Ii tate the interface design of the tape to the particular computer, a list of
the signals and levels.supplied and received by the i'ope controller foHows:
2. STATUS REG Lines: Five lines are available and may be read by the
computer through an input/output instruction. The bit configuration
in the status registe.· is as shown in the figure:
LS8-5 LSB
BOT GAP
MARGIN BOT WRITE READ
DETECT
ERROR 2 1 FLAG FLAG
FLAG
b. Write Flag: This bit is set whenever the tope is ready to receive
a word from the computer for writing on tape. The bit is auto-
matically cleared when Q word is transferred to the tapa.
c. Gap Detect Flag: The gap detect bit is set when "the controller
is either in the Read mode or in the Count Gap mode when an
inter-record gap is detected A gap is identified whenever a
D
d. BOT 1: The BOT 1 bit of the status register is set when the Begin-
ning of Tape Marker is under the BOr-sensor. The transition of the
command register bit from 0 to 1 also sets an auxilliary BOT 1 FLAG.
This auxilliary flag is connected to the STATUS CALL level of the
transport to inform the computer that a "rewind" operation has been
completed. The auxiliary BOT 1 FLAG may be cleared with the CLR BOT 1
pulse, even though the BOT marker is still under the BOT sensor.
Otherwise, it would be impossible to clear the status call without
advancing the tapee, Note, however, that the BOT 1 bit in the status
register" remains set as long as 'the splice marking the beginning of
tape is detected.
e. BOT 2: Same as d ., except refers to transport #2 (with the TP-1372
dual transport modeO ..
f. The Margin Error Flag is set whenever the amplitude of the
read signal is significantly below the normal level e The
Margin Error Flag serves as a check on the quality of the
tape cartridge and shou.ld normally be tested at the end of
reading a block of dai'a.. If the margin error flag is set,
the data which was read may still be valid, but the cartridge
should be recopied onto a fl-esh cartridge.. In this manner,
incipient errors may be corrected before '"hey cause any diffi-
culties. -
from the computer and is used for generat'ing the inter-record gap.
6. WRT WORD TRANSFER 11 CLEAR WRT FLAG: This signal, when high,
transfers the present- on the DA lines to the write shift register and
dClh:1
clears the WRT FLAG bit in the status register.
7. RD BUFFER & CLEAR RD FLAG: This signal, when high, gates the
information in the read buffer regist'er (BRD II NES) to the Accumulator
lines of the computer The 1-railin9 edge of this signal also clears the
0
9. STATUS CALL: This feve' goes high when the RD FLAG, the WRT FLAG,
the GAP DET FLAGg the 80Tl FLAG or BOT2 FLAG is high. This level
may be connected to the inten·upf· bus for reo I Hmeopel'otion, or may be
interrogclted by an i/O skip cc'),mmand 0
4.0
TP~ 1371
The TP-1371 evolved from the Tennecomp TP-1351 Magnetic Tape Unit. The now famous TP-1351
was the first magnetic tape unit designed for mini-computers which broke the $2,000 price barrier.
The TP-1351 achieved its high performance to cost ratio by an elegantly simple design. Only a
dozen integrated circuit packages were utilized in the complete electronics. Ho~ver, functions
such as bit timing, byte assembly, and motion delays were performed by programming.
The TP-1371 combines the besi' features of the older unit with a new integrated circuit control
unit which performs timing, byte assembly, and motion delays by means of self-contained logic
cit"cuits. The simple field-tested, highly reliable transport mechanism is reta ined. In addition,
automatic track select, dual transport capability and phase encoding are now standard features.
FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
The Tennecomp TP-1371 is a cartridge.... loaded magnetic tape unit for mini- and midi-computers
and for "stand alone" applications with hardwired data devices of communications terminals.
A data input register accepts pcu-a lIel binary information Self-contained electronics provide
6
data writing, reading, tape motion control and timing, data formatting , clocking and marginal
ta pe check i n9 •
For writing, a write request is made. The TP... 1371 will then begin tape motion. When the tape
is up to speed, a data ready signal is given. Data must be supplied to the TP-1371 within
approximately 2 ms. To cease writing, the write request is cancelled.
Instructions are provided which select the transport and track of interest. A five-position
switch (Track 1, 2, 3, 4, and Auto) is provided on each transport. The switch may be used
to ma,nually override the software track selection0
The TP-1371 i,s designed to put minimum burden on the computer, so that concurrent computer
operations may be performed. Normal operation is via the liprogram interrupt ll feature, byte
ot a time. A gap detect circuit allows the softNore to ,lIcount" gaps via the "program interrupt"
so that the tqpe may be positioned while other computer operations are underway. A rewind
operation (on either or both transports) may be initialized by the program, and it will then
continue without supervision.
These features make the TP-1371 particularly suitable for real time operations where several
real time devices are competing for computer time. The four tracks and the automatic gap
detector give rapid access to large random files of information •
.""'.
4. 1
TP-1371
4K lK 5 5 6
16K 4K 11 12 15
64K 16K 40 45 55
256K 64K 150 165 210
.......
4.2
Transport Specification (Cont'd)
Dimensions: Transport - IS!" x 7" x 11" (with ears of 19", rack mounting)
Interface .. 1911 x 3" x 7"
* Also available for 220 V I 50 Hz (pDP-alE andPDP-l1 model uttlize cabinet peripheral
D. C. power supply).
4.3
TP-1371
CARTRIDGE TAPE UNIT
INTERFACE SPECIFICATIONS
Interfaces will soon be available for over a dozen mini- and midi-computers. The interface
board determines the number of bits in a IIbyte". Byte length may vary from a single bit up to
60 bits, as desired. Programming is generally accomplished by means of a "data read buffer",
a "data wri te buffer", a IIcommand register", and a "status register" .
The Command Register bits control:
Trackl,2,3,or4
Transport 1 or 2
Rewi nd, Read, Wri fe, or Count Gap Mode
Inl'errupt Enabled or Disabled
The Status Register Provid.es iaidication of:
Beginning of Tape Marker on Transport 1 and 2
Marginal Playback Level Flag
Gap Detect Flag
Read Flag
Write Flag
Writing
For writing, the track and transport are selected. A write mode request is made. When the
tape is up to speed, a data required signal will be given. Data must be supplied to the control
within 2 ms. of the data ready signal. Writing continues as long as data is supplied, or unti I
the BOT is fo·und.
After a block of data is written, the transport may be stopped, or an end of block gap command
may be issued and additional blocks written separated by an inter-block gap.
Reading
Reading is simi lor to writing, except that the control gives a data ready signal when the tape
is up to speed and the first byte has been read. The data must be received within 2 ms of the
data reedy signal. Reading continues until a ngap" is encountered. At this time, a "gap
detect" flag is raised. The transport may be stopped in mid-gop, or may be allowed to con-
tinue. An automatic halt will occur at the Beginning of Tape Marker, if the transport is not
halted sooner under program control ..
Connectors or special boards are provided to interface various model minicomputers. An extra
set of connectors is always provided where "daisy chaining" is feasible.
_"0''1'1,
5.0
MAINTENANCE
,,::
If a particular tape cartridge is giving trouble, remove the dust caver from the top af the
transport so that an unobstructed view of the heads is obtained. Check to see if the tape
is playing aff the reel smoothly and is winding smoothly back on. Check to see if the
pressure pad seems to be correctly aligned.
Remove the dust cover as above and visually inspect the transport· parts. Check to see if the
PINCH ROLLER is slipping. Try putting a short length of tape between the CAPSTAN and
the PINCH ROLLER and see if i·he force is adequate to pull it from your fingers. If the
CAPSTAN and HEAD are dirty or greasy, clean {·hem with a tape head cleaning solvent.
Robbins type TX-20 is adequate. Do not gel· solvent on the rubber PINCH ROLLER. I t may
be cleaned with a rag dampened wHh plain wal'er or alcohol Also give all exposed parts a
&
ATTACHMENTS
ATTACHMENTS
.,~
,1 ,
.,