On 09/25/2017 11:40 PM, Steve Malikoff via cctalk wrote:

> Yes, you will need the controller to at least format, but not sure about just 
> reading/writing.

Looking at the interface, it's pretty much a "raw" interface.

As in a lot of things in life, timing is everything in tapes.    Tape
blocks are separated by blank gaps--it's the gap that defines the block
boundaries.   In addition, check characters (LRCC in 7 track; CRC+LRCC
in 9 track) are separated from block data by a specified number of bit
times of empty space.

External logic has to generate/check vertical and horizontal parity, and
insert the required spacing between check characters and inter-block
gaps.   In addition, most formatters will correct any single-bit errors
in a block (using the vertical and horizontal parity(LRCC) to locate the
bit in error).

Logic should also include generation/detection of tapemarks.

It's not simple, but it's also not rocket science.

--Chuck



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