Sony SDX-400C User manual

4-649-283-03(2)
2000 Sony Corporation
AIT Drive
SDX-400 Series
SDX-410 Series
User’s Guide

2
Contents
Introduction .......................................4
Product Features........................4
Precautions ................................5
Installation .........................................7
SCSI Connection/Setting the
SCSI ID .................................7
Option Switches (DIP Switch) ..8
Mounting Holes........................9
Remodeling from 5.25" Model
to 3.5" Model .......................12
Orientation...............................13
Operation .........................................14
Location of 3 LEDs .................14
LED Indication for
Drive Status .........................15
Drive Operation.......................16
Emergency Tape Removal
Procedure .............................17
Interface Implementation.................20
Supported SCSI Messages ......20
Supported SCSI Commands....20
Specification ....................................21
Product Specifications.............21
Third Party Support Contacts
(In the USA) ...............................23
Sony Contacts ..................................25
This document contains proprietary
information which is protected by
copyright.
All rights reserved. No part of this
document may be photocopied,
reproduced or translated to another
language without prior written consent
of Sony.
The information contained in this
document is subject to change without
notice.
SONY MAKES NO WARRANTY
OF ANY KIND WITH REGARD TO
THIS DOCUMENT.
Sony shall not be liable for error
contained herein, indirect, special,
incidental or consequential damages in
connection with the furnishing,
performance or use of this document.
VORSICHT
Diese Ausrüstung erfüllt die
Europäischen EMC-Bestimmungen für
die Verwendung in folgender /
folgenden Umgebung(en):
• Wohngegenden
• Gewerbegebiete
• Leichtindustriegebiete
(Diese Ausrüstung erfüllt die
Bestimmungen der Norm EN55022,
Klasse B.)

3
SDX-400 Tape Drive
The Sony SDX-400 series drive is a high capacity data storage device using
Advanced Intelligent tape (AIT) technology. The SDX-400 series drive
achieves high data reliability through Read-After-Write, an additional level
of Error Correction Code, and other features.
The Sony SDX-400 series drive stores data on tape using a standard format
called AIT (Advanced Intelligent Tape) and ALDC formats.

4
Introduction
Product Features
* Assuming a 2.6 : 1 compression ratio.
(The compression ratio varies according to the type of data.)
• Supported Format : AIT-1
• Burst Transfer Rate
– 12 MB/s Asynchronous
– 40 MB/s Synchronous
• Large 10 MB Buffer Memory
• 3.5” Standard Height, 5.25” Half Height
• Embedded SCSI Interface
(ULTRA/WIDE and LVD/SE model (SDX-400C) or HVD model (SDX-
410C) are available)
• Supports Variable or Fixed Record Length
• Supports SCSI Disconnection/Arbitration
• Frame Rewrite Function
• Three levels of Error Correction Code (ECC)
• High Speed search (120 times normal Read/Write speed)
• Random Read, Append Write
Data Capacity
Transfer Rate (sustained)
SDX-400 series
35 GB uncompressed (with AIT-1 230 m tape)
91 GB compressed*(with AIT-1 230 m tape)
4 MB/s uncompressed

5
Precautions
Installation
Avoid placing the drive in a location subject to:
– high humidity
– high temperature
– mechanical shock and vibration
– direct sunlight
Operation
• Do not move the drive while it is operating. It may cause malfunction.
• Avoid exposing the drive to sudden changes from a low to high in
temperature. This may cause water condensation to collect inside the
drive. If the ambient temperature should suddenly rise while the drive is
turned on , wait at least one hour before turning on the drive. If you
attempt to operate the drive immediately after a sudden increase in
temperature, a malfunction may occur.
• Turning off the power to the drive while it is writing to tape may cause
the tape to become unreadable. All previously negotiated parameters will
be lost, whenever power to the drive is cycled.
Transportation
• Keep the original packing materials to facilitate transportation of the
drive.
• Always remove the tape before moving the drive. After removing the
drive from the computer, repack the drive into its original packing.

6
Notice of SCSI Termination
The SDX-400C conforms to the Microsoft PC97 standard which requires
the internal (naked) drive to be terminated with an external terminator.
Microsoft PC97 SCSI requirements
SCSI peripherals must not terminate the bus. Both internal and external
cable ends are instead terminated by plug-in connectors.
Terminato
r
68p cable
Host Computer Wide SCSI
This drive
Example of SCSI set-up

7
Installation
SCSI Connection/Setting the SCSI ID
SCSI 68pin Connector
5 V
Power Connector
1234
GND GND 12 V
Disable
Enable
Parity
Note :
=
= CLOSED/Jumper
Don’t care
OPEN/Jumper not
installed
Parity Disable
No Connection
SCSI ID 3 SCSI ID 2 SCSI ID 1 SCSI ID 0
Jumpers
SCSI ID
SCSI ID
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
2 1 0
P.D.
N.C.
3
Parity Disable Jumper
Parity check function can be disabled by Jumper. Parity check is disabled
while left end jumper is installed. Parity generate function is always
enabled.

8
Option Switches (DIP Switch)
DIP Switch Positions
ON
12345678
DIP Switch
1 Reserved (OFF)
2 Reserved (OFF)
3 Reserved (OFF)
4 Reserved (OFF)
5 Terminator Power (ON)
6 Reserved (OFF)
7 DC Control (1) (ON)
8 DC Control (2) (OFF)
Data Compression Control DIP switch
Data compression can be selected by DIP switches. Data compression is
enabled while position 7 [DC Control (1)] is ON. Control by host can be
disabled when position 8 [DC Control (2)] is ON.

9
Mounting Holes
For 3.5" Standard Height (SDX-400C)
6-M3 (depth
2.5 mm (0.10 in) max.)
70.0±0.3 mm (2.76±0.01 in)
42.0±0.3 mm (1.65±0.01 in)
31.0±0.3 mm (1.22±0.01 in)
7.0±0.5 mm (0.28±0.02 in) 155.0±0.5 mm (6.10±0.02 in) 7.6±0.5 mm (0.30±0.02 in)
94.0±0.3 mm (3.70±0.01 in)
101.6±0.5 mm (4.00±0.02 in)
90.0±0.3 mm (3.54±0.01 in)
60.0±0.3 mm (2.36±0.01 in)
21.0±0.3 mm (0.83±0.01 in)
5.0±0.3 mm
(0.20±0.01 in)
41.2±0.5 mm
(1.62±0.02 in)
3-M3 (depth
2.5 mm (0.10 in) max.)
95.5 mm (3.76 in) 8.45 mm (0.333 in)
5.53±0.5 mm
(0.218±0.02 in)
7.4±0.5 mm (0.29±0.02 in)

10
For 3.5" Standard Height (SDX-410C)
92.71mm (3.65 in)
(depth 0.10 in max.)
6-M3 (depth 2.5 mm)
(depth 0.10 in)
4.7±0.5 mm
(0.185 in)
8 mm
(0.315 in)
94±0.3 mm
(3.70 in)
101.6±0.5 mm
(4.00 in)
5±0.3 mm
(0.20 in)
41.2±0.5 mm
(1.62 in)
90±0.3 mm
(3.54 in)
60±0.3 mm
(2.36 in)
21±0.3 mm
(0.83 in)
70±0.3 mm
(2.76 in)
42±0.3 mm
(1.65 in)
31±0.3 mm
(1.22 in)
170±0.5 mm
(6.69 in) 7.6±0.5 mm
(0.30 in)
7.4±0.5 mm
(0.29 in)
3-M3 (depth 2.5 mm max.)

11
For 5.25" Half Height (SDX-400C/R)
(1.22±0.01 in)
31.0±0.3 mm (1.65±0.01 in)
42.0±0.3 mm
(2.76±0.01 in)
70.0±0.3 mm
(1.87±0.01 in)
47.5±0.3 mm
(1.87±0.01 in)
47.5±0.3 mm (3.12±0.01 in)
79.2±0.3 mm
(3.12±0.01 in)
79.2±0.3 mm
Cassette in ON point
The cartridge eject distance
(4±0.02 in)
101.6±0.5 mm
(3.7±0.01 in)
94.0±0.3 mm
(1.61±0.04 in)
41.0±1.0 mm
(1.83±0.06 in)
46.5±1.5 mm
(1.62±0.02 in)
41.2±0.5 mm
(6.1±0.02 in)
155.0±0.5 mm (0.3±0.02 in)
7.6±0.5 mm
(3.65 in)
92.71 mm
(5.75±0.02 in)
146±0.5 mm
(depth 0.10 in max.)
6-M3 (depth 2.5mm max.)
(0.19±0.02 in)
4.7±0.5 mm
(0.31 in)
8 mm
(1.37 in)
34.75 mm (0.77 in) 19.48 mm
(0.61±0.02 in)
15.6±0.5 mm
(0.85 in)
21.465 mm
(1.35±0.02 in)
34.3±0.5 mm
(0.39±0.02 in)
9.9±0.5 mm
(0.86±0.02 in)
21.8±0.5 mm
(0.78±0.02 in)
19.7±0.5 mm
(2.26±0.04 in)
57.5±1 mm
(2.48±0.06 in)
63.0±1.5 mm
The cartridge eject distance
Cassette in ON point
4-M3
4-M3
(5.5±0.02 in)
139.6±0.5 mm
(0.28±0.02 in)
7±0.5 mm
(5.87±0.02 in)
149.0±0.5 mm

12
Remodeling from 5.25" Model to 3.5" Model
You can remodel the SDX-400C/R (5.25" model) to the SDX-400C (3.5"
model) yourself.
1Remove the 2 screws for each side rail.
2Take the side rail off.
Side Rail (L)
Side Rail (R)

13
Orientation
10°
10°
10°
10°
10°
10°10°10°

14
Operation
Location of 3 LEDs
There are three LED indications (BUSY,TAPE and STATUS) and an
EJECT button on the front panel of the unit.
Front Panel (for 3.5" Standard Height)
BUSY TAPE STATUS
Advanced
Intelligent
Tape

15
LED Indication for Drive Status
The LED indicators are defined as follows.
1 pulse (3.5 sec on / 0.5 sec off)
1 pulse (0.25 sec on)
2 pulses (0.25 sec on/0.5 sec off)
LED State
BUSY TAPE STATUS Activity Cartridge Other
None None None
SCSI None None
Drive Loading/Unloading None
Drive Loading/Unloading Write Protected
None Loaded Cleaning Tape at EOM
None Loaded None
SCSI Loaded None
SCSI/Drive Loaded None
Independent ✽Loaded Write Protected
Independent Independent ✽Loaded Error Rate Warning
✽✽ ✽✽Cleaning Request
✽✽ ✽✽Self test Failure
✽✽✽ ✽Waiting for Reset
✽✽✽ ✽Waiting for Eject
✽: Not defined.
off
on
1 pulse (0.25 sec on / 0.25 sec off)

16
Drive Operation
Loading a Tape
Insert a cassette into the slot on the front panel with the arrow on the
cassette pointing towards the drive. As the cassette is inserted, the drive
takes it and automatically loads it into drive mechanism.
Unloading a Tape
The cassette can be removed from the SDX-400/SDX-410 either in
response to a SCSI Unload Command, or by pressing the eject bottom.
By pressing Eject button, the tape goes to BOT, the drive unthreads it, and
ejects the cassette from the slot.
Write-protecting a Tape
Cassettes can be write-protected by sliding the tab on the back of the
cassette. In this state, data can be read from the tape but not written onto it.
Using your fingernail, push the switch in the
direction of the arrow to protect the tape from
writing or accidental erasure.
Return the switch to its original position to
re-enable writing.
AIT-1
Using a Cleaning Cassette
In case of SDX-400 series/SDX-410 series, a cleaning function is built into
the drive and hence the use of a c leaning cartridge is not needed. If
however the drive experiences excessive errors, the use of a cleaning
cartridge is recommended.

17
Emergency Tape Removal Procedure
1Remove the drive from the chassis or enclosure to allow
access to the bottom and right side of the drive.
2Remove the drive’s top cover.
3Locate the small opening in the bottom of the drive and
insert the tip of a precision screwdriver so that the Threading
motor shaft can be rotated.
4Rotate the motor shaft counterclockwise to bring the
threading mechanism back to the initial position. (Refer to
the photo-1 on page 19.)
5Before manual eject procedure, tape slack must be removed
in order to prevent tape damage. Press and rotate the gear
mechanism located on the right side of the drive clockwise to
tighten the tape.
6After the tape slack has been removed, turn the screw
located on the right side of the drive clockwise by a precision
screwdriver until the tape cartridge is lifted out of the drive
mechanism and is ejected.

18
7Return the drive to Sony for repair.
3. Cassette Compartment Motor
2. Reel Motor
1. Loading Motor

19
detail A
B
CC
tape guide surface tape guide surface
A
Cartridge
Photo-1:The Initial Position of theThreading Mechanism
Caution
Stop rotating the motor shaft immediately, when the guide B (see detail A of Photo-1)
gets to the area below the line C-C (This line is defined by 2 circular tape guide surfaces
of the cartridge). Otherwise the gear of the drive can be damaged.

20
Interface Implementation
Supported SCSI Messages
Abort Message Parity Error
Bus Device Reset Message Reject
Command Complete No Operation
Disconnect Restore Pointers
Extended Message Save Data Pointer
–Synchronous Data Transfer
Request
–Wide Data Transfer Request
Identify ( w/&w/o Disconnect )
Ignore Wide Residue
Supported SCSI Commands
Erase Receive Density Support
Inquiry Report Luns
Load/Unload Request Block Address
Locate Request Sense
Log Sense Reserve Unit
Log Select Rewind
Mode Select Seek Block
Mode Sense Send Diagnostic
Prevent Allow Medium Removal Space
Read Test Unit Ready
Read Block Limits Verify
Read Buffer Write
Read Position Write Buffer
Report Diagnostic Result Write Filemarks
Release Unit