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Storage Media

LTO Ultrium

Model Name : LTX800G LTX800W LTX400G LTX400W LTX200G LTX100G

 

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Main Features

Storage capacity jumps to 1.6TB in LTO Ultrium 4th generation data cartridge.

Cleaning Cartridge

Performance breakthrough: *1.6TB compressed capcity with *240MB/s transfer speed

By further developing new tape materials, coating technology and a surface-smoothing technology, Sony LTO4 offers a breakthrough in performance with a massive 800GB native and *1.6TB compressed maximum recording capacity.

*Compression ratio 2:1

Reduced backup time and improved operating efficiency with *240MB/s maximum transfer speed

For quicker backup and improved operating efficiency, LTO4 offers high-speed 120MB/s native and *240MB/s compressed data transfer.

*Compression ratio 2:1

High-Performance data cartridge

To accommodate the LTO4 tape’s thickness and long length, the reel accuracy has been improved. Optimized hub roundness contributes to stable operation and a new flange shape protects the tape edges. As in LTO1, LTO2, and LTO3, the LTO4 cartridge incorporates a robust non-contact 8KB IC memory with twice the capacity of previous generations.

LTO is a standard jointly developed by HP, IBM, and Quantum.

Main specifications

  LTX100G LTX200G LTX400G/LTX400W LTX800G/ LTX800GW
Format LTO
Recording Capacity (Compressed *1) 100GB (200GB *1) 200GB(400GB *1) 400GB (800GB *1) 800GB(1.6TB *1)
Maximum Data Transfer Rate (Compressed *1) 20MB/s(40MB/s*1) 40MB/s(80MB/s*1) 80MB/s (160MB/s*1) 120MB/s(240MB/s*1)
Magnetic Material Metal partcle (MP)
Coercivity (kA/m) 175 220
Electric Resistivity (Magnetic Coating: Ω/sq) 1x106
Electric Resistivity (Backcoating: Ω/sq) 1x104
Built-in IC Memory (Byte) 4,096 8,192
Number of Data Tracks 384 512 704 896
Coding Channel RLL(1,7) + PR4ML
Tape Width (mm) 12.65
Tape Thickness (µm) 8.9 8.0 6.6
Tape Length (m) 609 680 820
External Dimensions (mm) 102.0×105.4×21.5
Weight (g) 295 (With Case)
Environmental Requirements Operation Conditions (°F(°C);%RH) : 50~113 (10~45);10~80 *2
Storage Conditions (°F(°C);%RH) : 60~90 (16~32);20~80 *2
Transportation Conditions (°F(°C);%RH) : -9~120 (-23~49);5~80 *2

*1 Compression ratio 2:1
The actual capacity, compression ratio and data transfer rate may vary depending on equipment, software usage, environments and data.
1GB= 10 billion bytes

*2 Maximum wet bulb temperature : No condensation at 79°F (26°C).


Operating Instructions


Drive/media compatibility table

Cartridge Drive
LTO Ultrium 1 Drive LTO Ultrium 2 Drive LTO Ultrium 3 Drive LTO Ultrium 4 Drive
LTO1 Cartridge
(Compressed *1)
Read/Write 100GB (200GB *1) Read/Write 100GB (200GB *1) Read Only
100GB (200GB *1)
-
LTO2 Cartridge
(Compressed *1)
- Read/Write 200GB (400GB *1) Read/Write
200GB (400GB *1)
Read Only
200GB (400GB *1)
LTO3 Cartridge
(Compressed *1)
- - Read/Write
400GB (800GB *1)
Read/Write
400GB (800GB *1)
LTO3 WORM Cartridge
(Compressed *1)
- - Read/write*2
400GB (800GB *1)
Read/write*2
400GB (800GB *1)
LTO4 Cartridge
(Compressed *1)
- - - Read/Write
800GB (1.6TB *1)
LTO4 WORM Cartridge
(Compressed *1)
- - - Read/Write*2
800GB (1.6TB *1)

*1 Compression ratio 2:1

*2 These cartridges are compatible with WORM-enabled LTO drives.

Cartridge Mechanism

Shock resistance enhanced by ultrasonic-welded shell case

In addition to screws, we use ultrasonic welding to fasten the sidewalls of the door opening for improved ruggedness. This protects the case against damage from drop impact and protects valuable data.

High-speed rotation technology

Lubricant-impregnated POM plastic is used for the reel center that contacts the cartridge's upper shell when the tape reel rotates, ensuring high-speed reel rotation with optimal sliding and friction characteristics. This allows accurate reading and writing of data on the tracks.

High-strength shell tested by rigorous drop impact

Proprietary tests involving 75 cm drops onto plastic tiles at different orientations helped develop a thoroughly rugged, reliable cartridge.

Clear and simple write-protect switch

Moving the red switch right and left enables or blocks recording. A lock-shaped switch allows fast identification of write-protect status, helping to safeguard against erroneous operations.

Metal reel core and reel lock mechanism

For the reel core, we used a metal material especially susceptible to magnetic attraction to achieve chucking forces capable of withstanding high-speed rotation.

A reel lock on the tape reel fits into the upper shell to lock the reel into position. The reel lock is designed to engage deeply to prevent reel misalignment even when the reel is subjected to physical shock during transport or when stored vertically for long periods in a library.

Hub-shaped support structure to withstand tape pressure

The support provided by the structure of the reel flange guards against deformation of the hub by tape winding pressure, helping the tape resist deformation in a long-term storage environment.

Tape Technology

High-density recording with low error rate

To correspond with further high-density recording by shortening the recording wavelength, LTO4 adopts newly developed fine magnetic particles. Further optimizing the dispersing technology for LTO4, Sony realized high dispersion and high packing density on newly developed fine magnetic particles that are approx. 70% the volume of LTO3. By introducing newly-developed tape surface-smoothing technology, Sony improved the tape surface.

Sony improved the tape surface while also realizing noise reduction and boosting output in the high frequency range.

High stability of base film against elongation and shrinkage

LTO4 realized high recording capacity by utilizing thinner tape (LTO3 : 8.0μm→LTO4 : 6.6μm) to allow a longer tape length (LTO3 : 680m→LTO4 : 820m).

Due to the increased number of data tracks (LTO3 : 704→LTO4 : 896) and narrowed track width, higher stability of the base film against elongation and shrinkage is required. By optimizing the strength balance of the base film and adopting newly-developed high accuracy cutting technology, Sony LTO4 realizes high stability under various operating conditions.

High-output magnetic materials and ultra-thin magnetic film technologies

We use Advanced Alloy Armored Metal Particle, a special magnetic material developed from proprietary Sony technology. Uniformly coated with alloy and ceramics, the material surface provides high-output characteristics while maintaining outstanding weather resistance. Compared to conventional materials, the Advanced Alloy Armored Metal Particle significantly reduces variations in particle size. We also use a super orientation technology that orients particles in the same direction to minimize noise. Ultra-thin magnetic film technology made it possible to form magnetic coatings containing uniform, submicron-size particles for high signal output and stability in high-density recording.

Newly developed polymer alloy hybrid base film

Translatory tape travel is one of the most important elements of linear formats such as LTO. For the most part, true tracking is determined by tape quality, particularly the mechanical strength of the base film, the primary tape material. For the LTO base films, we improved dimensional change rates and lateral strength by 60% and 45%, respectively. Conventional tapes pose a problem involving spacing gaps between the tape and head block during tape travel; this gap has been removed to achieve an optimum head tape interface.

Highly Accurate Servo Signals

Highly Accurate Servo Signals

Our high-output and high S/N tapes, combined with Sony's original servo writer, provide highly accurate signals. In the LTO format, the head block is positioned by the guidance of signals from the servo track during data recording and playback. Sony LTO uses highly accurate servo signals to improve data reliability by preventing off-tracks during reads and writes.

Reduced tracking errors

Since LTO4 has a very thin magnetic layer, a decrease of servo signal output recorded on tape was a concern. Despite thin magnetic layer (approx. 0.1μm), Sony realized high stable servo signal output by employing bias recording theory to optimize servo recording signal control.

With the increase of the number of data tracks, more accurate tracking technology is required. Sony realized stable operation on the thin (6.6μm) and smooth tape with a servo writer corresponding to high-density tracking that Sony developed for LTO4 format, achieving high-quality magnetic servo signal writing. The result is significantly improved data writing and reading accuracy.

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Copyright 2009 Sony Corporation
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