Sony SDX-420C User manual

4-658-215-03(1)
2000 Sony Corporation
AIT Drive
SDX-420 Series
SDX-520 Series
User’s Guide

2
Contents
Introduction .......................................4
Product Features........................4
Precautions ................................5
Installation .........................................6
Jumper Setting...........................6
Option Switches (DIP Switch) ..7
Mounting Holes........................8
Remodeling from 5.25" Model
to 3.5" Model .......................10
Orientation...............................10
Operation .........................................11
Location of 3 LEDs .................11
LED Indication for
Drive Status .........................12
Drive Operation.......................13
Emergency Tape Removal
Procedure .............................14
Interface Implementation.................17
Supported ATA Commands ....17
Supported ATAPI Packet
Commands ...........................17
Specification ....................................18
Product Specifications.............18
Third Party Support Contacts
(In the USA) ...............................20
Sony Contacts ..................................22
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-420/SDX-520 Tape Drive
The Sony SDX-420/SDX-520 series drive is a high capacity data storage
device using Advanced Intelligent tape (AIT) technology. The SDX-420
series/SDX-520 series drive achieves high data reliability through Read-
After-Write, an additional level of Error Correction Code, and other
features.
The Sony SDX-420 series/SDX-520 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 (SDX-420 series)
: AIT-1, AIT-2 (SDX-520 series)
• Burst Transfer Rate 66 MB/s Ultra DMA (mode 4)
• Large 10 MB Buffer Memory
• 3.5” Standard Height, 5.25” Half Height
• ATA/ATAPI-5 Interface
• Support Fixed Record Length Only
• 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-420 series SDX-520 series
35 GB uncompressed 50 GB uncompressed
(with AIT-1 230 m tape) (with AIT-2 230 m tape)
91 GB compressed*130 GB compressed*
(with AIT-1 230 m tape) (with AIT-2 230 m tape)
4 MB/s uncompressed 6 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
Installation
Jumper Setting
Master
Slave
Cable Select
No Connection
Jumpers Drive Setting
Master
Slave
Cable Select
IDE Interface Connector
Power Connector
4 3 2 1
5V GND GND 12V

7
Option Switches (DIP Switch)
DIP Switch Positions
ON
12345678
DIP Switch
1 Reserved (OFF)
2 Reserved (OFF)
3 Reserved (OFF)
4 Reserved (OFF)
5 Reserved (OFF)
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.

8
Mounting Holes
For 3.5" Standard Height (SDX-420C, SDX-520C)
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)

9
For 5.25" Half Height (SDX-420C/R, SDX-520C/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
(0.61±0.02 in)
15.6±0.5 mm
(0.72±0.02 in)
18.4±0.5 mm
(1.41±0.02 in)
35.9±0.5 mm (0.72±0.02 in)
18.2±0.5 mm
(1.35±0.02 in)
34.3±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
(3.76 in)
95.5 mm
(5.75±0.02 in)
146±0.5 mm
(depth 0.10 in max.)
6-M3 (depth 2.5 mm max.)
(0.218±0.02 in)
5.53±0.5 mm
(0.333 in)
8.45 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

10
Remodeling from 5.25" Model to 3.5" Model
You can remodel the SDX-420C/R and the SDX-520C/R (5.25" model) to
the SDX-420C and the SDX-520C (3.5" model) yourself.
1Remove the 2 screws for each side rail.
2Take the side rail off.
Orientation
10°
10°
10°
10°
10°
10°10°10°
Side Rail (L)
Side Rail (R)

11
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

12
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
IDE None None
Drive Loading/Unloading None
Drive Loading/Unloading Write Protected
None Loaded Cleaning Tape at EOM
None Loaded None
IDE Loaded None
IDE/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)

13
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-420/SDX-520 either in
response to a ATAPI Packet 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 AIT-2
Using a Cleaning Cassette
In case of SDX-420 series/SDX-520 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.

14
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 16.)
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.

15
7Return the drive to Sony for repair.
3. Cassette Compartment Motor
2. Reel Motor
1. Loading Motor

16
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.

17
Interface Implementation
Supported ATA Commands
ATA commands supported:
–ATAPI SOFT RESET (0x08)
–EXECUTE DRIVE DIAGNOSTIC (0x90)
–ATAPI PACKET COMMAND (0xA0)
–ATAPI IDENTIFY DEVICE (0xA1)
–STANDBY IMMEDIATE (0xE0)
–IDLE IMMEDIATE (0xE1)
–CHECK POWER MODE (0xE5)
–SLEEP (0xE6)
–SET FEATURE (0xEF)
Supported ATAPI Packet Commands
Mandatory ATAPI command set:
Supporting most of all SCSI commands in SDX-400C/SDX-500C
–ERASE
–INQUIRY
–LOAD/UNLOAD
–LOCATE
–LOG SELECT
–LOG SENSE
–MODE SELECT
–MODE SENSE
–READ
–READ POSITION
–REQUEST SENSE
–REWIND
–SPACE
–TEST UNIT READY
–WRITE
–WRITE FILEMARK
–WRITE BUFFER

18
Altitude
Operating 0 to 10,000 feet
Specification
Product Specifications
Dimensions
SDX-420C, SDX-520C SDX-420C/R, SDX-520C/R
Height 41.2 mm (1.62 in) 41.2 mm (1.62 in)
Width 101.6 mm (4.0 in) 146.0 mm (5.75 in)
Depth 155.0 mm (6.1 in) 155.0 mm (6.1 in)
Shock
Operating No Data Loss
Half Sine
5 G Peak 3 ms
3 axes, 3 directions
*Interval 10 seconds
Non-Operating No Device Damage
Half Sine
90 G Peak 3 ms
(30 G Peak 11 ms)
3 axes, 3 directions
Vibration
Operating Swept Sine 5 to 500 Hz
*0.25 G Peak 1 Octave/min.
3 axes, 3 directions
Non-Operating Swept Sine 5 to 500 Hz
*0.5 G Peak 1 Octave/min.
3 axes, 3 directions
Acoustic Noise (A) curve weight
Streaming Write/Read 35 db (A)
Insert/Eject 60 db (A)
Note
The sound-meter on (A) scale is located 1m in front of
the center of the drive front panel.

19
ESD
Discharge < 15 kV: No operation failure
Voltage < 20 kV: No drive damage
Air-cooling Requirement
Surrounding temperature < 40 ˚C
Clean air flow is recommended to minimize the possibility of data loss.
Temperature and Humidity Range
Temperature
Operating 5 ˚C to 40 ˚C (∆T<10 ˚C/h)
Non-Operating (mech.) –40 ˚C to 70 ˚C (∆T<20 ˚C/h)
Non-Operating (tape) –40 ˚C to 45 ˚C (∆T<20 ˚C/h)
Humidity
Operating 20 to 80% RH, non-condensing
Maximum wet bulb temperature = 26 ˚C
Non-Operating (mech.) 5 to 95% RH (∆T<30%/h)
Non-Operating (tape) 20 to 80% RH (∆T<30%/h)
Power Requirements
Model Voltage Max Ripple Current
Typical Maximum
SDX-420 series 5 V +/–5 % 100 mVp-p 1.4 A 2.5 A
12 V +/–10 % 150 mVp-p 0.45 A 1.2 A
SDX-520 series 5 V +/–5 % 100 mVp-p 1.5 A 2.5 A
12 V +/–10 % 150 mVp-p 0.45 A 1.2 A
Suspended Particulate
Operating Less than 150 microgram/m3
Based Sampling period 24 hours

20
Third Party Support Contacts
(In the USA)
Host Adapter Vendors Phone Numbers
Adaptec 408-945-8600
ATTO 716-691-1999
Bus Logic 408-492-9090
DPT 407-830-5522
Future Domain 714-253-0400
Initio 408-988-1919
Qlogic 714-438-2200
Ultera Systems Inc. 714-367-8800
Operating Systems Backup Software Vendors Phone Numbers
DOS Arcada 407-333-7500
Cheyenne 516-484-5110
Columbia Data Products 407-869-6700
Corel 613-728-8200
NovaStor 805-579-6700
Palindrome 708-505-3300
ST. Bernard Sofware 619-676-2277
Sytron 508-898-0100
Tapedisk 715-235-3388
Macintosh Cheyenne 516-484-5110
Corel 613-728-8200
Dantz 510-253-3000
NovaStor 805-579-6700
OS/2 Cheyenne 516-484-5110
Corel 613-728-8200
IBM 800-426-3333
NovaStor 805-579-6700
Sytron 407-333-7500
Windows Arcada 407-333-7500
Cheyenne 516-484-5110
Corel 613-728-8200
Creata 909-595-8811
NovaStor 805-579-6700
ST. Bernard Software 619-676-2277
Sytron 508-898-0100
Windows NT Arcada 407-333-7500
Cheyenne 516-484-5110
Creata 909-595-8811
Microsoft 206-882-8080
NovaStor 805-579-6700
Avail Systems 303-444-4018
Windows NT Microsoft 206-882-8080
Advanced Server
* All phone numbers listed are in the USA.
Add the country code (1) prior to those numbers when calling from
outside the USA.