Computer
`Systems
`Technology
`USDEPARTMENTOF
`Efiiédfia'idi‘n‘éfigteo.
`T513035”
`
`ler
`STAND
`mmiiiiiiiimiiiiiim
`
`I,
`
`' ALLLDB 7L0???
`
`NIST
`
`PUBLICATION$ ‘
`
`NIST Special Publication 500-199
`
`Mark P. Williamson
`
`The 3480 Type Tape Cartridge:
`.
`.
`Potentlal Data Storage Rlsks, and
`Care and Handling Procedures
`to Minimize Risks
`
`
`
`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2011, p. 1
`FUJIFILM v. Sony, 2018-00876
`
`

`

`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2011, p. 2
`FUJIFILM v. Sony, 2018-00876
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`l
`
`NIST Special Publication 500-199
`
`The 3480 Type Tape Cartridge:
`
`Potential Data Storage Risks, and
`Care and Handling Procedures
`to Minimize Risks
`
`Mark P. Williamson
`
`Computer Systems Laboratory
`National Institute of Standards and Technology
`Gaithersburg, MD 20899
`
`Sponsored by:
`National Environmental Satellite Data Information Service
`National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
`
`November 1991
`
`
`
`U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Robert A. Mosbacher, Secretary
`NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS
`AND TECHNOLOGY
`John W. Lyons. Director
`
`,
`
`
`
`
`
`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2011, p. 3
`FUJIFILM v. Sony, 2018-00876
`
`

`

`Reports on Computer Systems Technology
`
`The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has a unique responsibility for computer
`systems technology within the Federal government. NlST's Computer Systems Laboratory (CSL) devel-
`ops standards and guidelines, provides technical assistance, and conducts research for computers and
`related telecommunications systems to achieve more effective utilization of Federal information technol-
`ogy resources. CSL's responsibilities include development of technical, management, physical, and ad-
`ministrative standards and guidelines for the cost-effective security and privacy of sensitive unclassified
`information processed in Federal computers. CSL assists agencies in developing security plans and in
`improving computer security awareness training. This Special Publication 500 series reports CSL re-
`search and guidelines to Federal agencies as well as to organizations in industry. government. and
`academia.
`
`National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 500-199
`Natl. Inst. Stand. Technol. Spec. Publ. 500-199, 59 pages (Nov. 1991)
`CODEN: NSPUE2
`
`U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
`WASHINGTON: 1991
`
`For sale by the Superintendent of Documents. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402
`
`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2011, p. 4
`FUJIFILM v. Sony, 2018-00876
`
`

`

`Cover
`
`The figure on the cover is reproduced with permission from American National
`Standard X3.180 - 1990, copyright 1991 by the American National Standards Institute.
`Copies of this standard may be purchased from ANSI at 11 West 42nd Street, New
`York, NY 10036
`
`Disclaimer
`
`The conclusions and statements contained in this document are based on
`
`information gathered by NIST from available literature and interviews with 3480
`type tape cartridge technology users, manufacturers, and other expert sources.
`No data were taken, nor were any experiments performed in NIST laboratories.
`
`In this publication the terms "3480 type media," "3480 type technology,” ”3480 type
`tape drive,” and "3480 tape cartridge" will be used to refer to all ANSI X3.180 - 1990
`compatible, 12.65 mm (0.5 in), 18-track parallel
`recorded, chromium dioxide,
`recording media and the tape drive subsystems.
`If a specific manufacturer is intended,
`that manufacturer will be noted. However,
`the inclusion or omission of any
`manufacturer's name is only cited for clarity and does not imply endorsement or
`criticism.
`
`
`
`
`
`iii
`
`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2011, p. 5
`FUJIFILM v. Sony, 2018-00876
`
`

`

`Acknowledgments
`
`Since this publication is based on the experiences and opinions of many 3480 type
`technology users and manufacturers,
`it
`is difficult
`to mention everyone who so
`generously contributed to this publication. However,
`the author greatly appreciates
`those individuals' time and contributions.
`
`Special thanks are due to Mr. William Callicott of NCAA, Dr. P.C. Hariharan of
`STX, Dr. R.L. Bradshaw of IBM, Mr. John Felton of Carlisle Memory Products, Mr.
`Gerrit Nij ssen of BASF, and Mr. Gerald Taylor of StorageTek.
`
`Appreciation is also due to Mrs. Natalie Willman, Dr. Leslie Smith, Dr. Gordon Lyon,
`and Mr. Tom Bagg of NIST.
`
`
`
`
`
`iv
`
`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2011, p. 6
`FUJIFILM v. Sony, 2018-00876
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`Executive Summary
`
`The 3480 type media were introduced to the data storage industry in 1984. Early
`problems were reported due to premature degradation of the polyester polyurethane
`binder.
`In addition, the lack of guidelines for proper care and handling increased the
`risks associated with the storage of data on the 3480 type media.
`
`After approximately 7 years experience, media manufacturers have significantly
`improved their binder
`formulations.
`Furthermore, 3480 type media users from
`government and industry have experienced the dependability and, conversely,
`the
`problems associated with the storage of data on the 3480 type media.
`
`The major potential risks associated with the storage of data on the 3480 type media
`have been the premature degradation of the polyester polyurethane binders and the lack
`of care and handling guidelines and maintenance procedures to minimize the potential
`occurrence of chemical, mechanical, and/or magnetic failure mechanisms.
`In addition,
`questions have been raised about the potential health and environmental hazards, as
`well as the long-term stability, associated with the use of chromium dioxide (C10,)
`media.
`
`Problems were reported due to the premature degradation of the polyester polyurethane
`binder that holds the magnetic CrO2 particles to the polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
`
`substrate. Although the industry has significantly improved their binder formulations,
`it is important to remember that any manufacturer could produce a bad batch of tapes.
`The cost of the 3480 type media, as compared to the value of the data it contains,
`is
`insignificant. Therefore, to reduce the risks associated with this failure mechanism, the
`data managers should be selective in the quality of media on which they store their
`data.
`In addition, when cost effective, sampling and multiple off-site backups of data
`are prudent.
`
`The risk associated with the storage of data on any type of magnetic media is directly
`proportional to the diligence used in its proper care and handling. Proper maintenance
`of the environment, as well as the observation of some simple rules in the usage,
`storage, and transportation can greatly reduce the risk associated with the storage of
`data on magnetic media. Otherwise, chemical, mechanical, and/or magnetic failure of
`these media are possible.
`
`
`
`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2011, p. 7
`FUJIFILM v. Sony, 2018-00876
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`In general, magnetic tapes wound under tension will stretch in the direction of the
`stress and elongate with time until
`the elongation has relieved the stress.
`This
`elongation of the magnetic tape causes the tape pack to loosen. Tapes without an
`evenly tensioned pack may experience slippage of adjacent tape layers and a folding
`over of layers of tape to fill physical voids when subjected to the large accelerations
`used in 9-track open reel tape drives. Temperature variations in the storage library can
`also cause a loose tape pack [1]. Therefore, it is necessary to retension the 9-track
`open reel tapes prior to usage. The 3480 type tape drives subject the tape to lower
`accelerations when tape motion is initiated.
`In addition, the 3480 type tape drives will
`detect a loose tape pack and automatically retension the tape. However, the harmful
`effects of a loose tape pack have led to suggestions that tapes must be periodically
`retensioned during storage to restore proper tension even when usage of the tape is not
`required [2].
`
`The IBM Corporation has quantitatively examined the necessity for periodic
`retensioning of the 3480 type media [3],
`[4].
`IBM's experiment
`involved the
`accelerated aging of two identical groups of experimental 3480 type tape cartridges.
`One set of tapes was not retensioned, while the other was retensioned. The analysis of
`the two sets of tapes showed equal chemical and mechanical changes. However, the
`tapes that were retensioned showed a catastrophic increase in the error rate which IBM
`attributed to the renewal of mechanical stresses and the binder-particle interaction.
`
`there is little evidence that users
`Based on interviews with magnetic media users,
`actually retension their
`tapes periodically. Not only does periodic retensioning
`introduce a large expense and effort into the maintenance of a data library, published
`literature indicates that these activities not be necessary [1],[3],[4].
`
`In the June 9, 1986 issue of ComputerWorld magazine, an article entitled "Taking
`Chances with New Tapes" states that CrO2 which is used in the 3480 type media
`
`degrades in the presence of moisture and oxygen to chromium hexavalent which is
`toxic. This suggests that the toxic nature of chromium dioxide may present health
`hazards to the user and environmental hazards when the tapes are disposed of in a
`landfill. In addition,
`this article states that CrO2 may have poor long-term storage
`
`The Du Pont
`characteristics, since this material has a fairly short half-life [5].
`Corporation, which has been the primary manufacturer of CrO2 particles of audio,
`
`video, and instrumentation tape applications for 20 years, responded to this article with
`a white paper that was published as a Technical Committee X3B5, Digital Magnetic
`Tape document [6]. Their conclusions are that CrO2 tapes present neither a hazard to
`
`the health of the user, nor to the environment, when the tapes are discarded in landfills.
`Du Pont also asserted that CrO2 media is well suited for the long-term storage of data.
`
`Most of the 3480 type media experts, users, and manufacturers interviewed agree with
`this conclusion.
`
`vi
`
`
`
`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2011, p. 8
`FUJIFILM v. Sony, 2018-00876
`
`

`

`Based on the opinions and observations of 3480 type media users and manufacturers,
`there seems to be a low risk associated with the storage of data on 3480 type media,
`provided the proper care and handling procedures are used. The 3480 type technology
`manufacturers indicate that there is a very high probability that the 3480 type media
`will retain data for at least 10 years.
`Some 3480 type media experts, users, and
`manufacturers interviewed believe that this is a conservative estimate.
`
`The predicated 10-year length of time in which the 3480 type media can retain data is
`expected to be greater than the length of time before the 3480 type recording systems
`are superseded by more advanced products. For example, IBM introduced the 18-
`track, parallel 3480 recording system in 1984. Now, approximately 7 years later, IBM
`has introduced the next generation 3490B which uses the same media with a 36-track,
`parallel-serpentine recording system. Nevertheless, if a data center is still using the
`3480 type technology after 10 years, it would be prudent to migrate the data to new
`media at that time.
`
`
`
`
`
`vii
`
`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2011, p. 9
`FUJIFILM v. Sony, 2018-00876
`
`

`

`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2011, p. 10
`FUJIFILM v. Sony, 2018-00876
`
`

`

`Table of Contents
`
`1
`
`2
`
`Introduction .......................................................................
`
`3480 Type Recording System ..................................................
`
`2.1
`
`3480 Type Tape Structure ...............................................
`
`2.2
`
`3480 Type Cartridge Assembly .........................................
`
`2.3
`
`3480 Type Tape Drive Assembly ......................................
`
`2.4
`
`3480 Type Methods of Recording and Error Correction ............
`
`3
`
`Potential Failure Mechanisms .................................................
`
`3.1
`
`Chemical ...................................................................
`
`3.2 Mechanical .................................................................
`
`3.2.1 Stick ...............................................................
`
`3.2.2 Embossment by Debris ..........................................
`3.2.3 Inter-Layer Slip ..................................................
`3.2.4 Cinching ...........................................................
`3.2.5 Creep ..............................................................
`
`3.3 Magnetic ...................................................................
`3.3.1 Temperature Effects on Magnetization .......................
`3.3.2 Magnetostriction .................................................
`3.3.3 Stray Magnetic Fields ...........................................
`
`4
`
`General Care and Handling Guidelines
`
`.......
`
`.............
`
`.....
`
`4.1
`
`Environment ...............................................................
`
`4.1.1 Operational Environment .......................................
`4.1.2 Storage Environment ............................................
`4.1.3 Transportation Environment....................................
`
`1
`
`3
`
`3
`
`5
`
`6
`
`8
`
`10
`
`10
`
`11
`
`12
`
`12
`12
`13
`13
`
`13
`13
`14
`14
`
`15
`
`15
`
`15
`16
`16
`
`ix
`
`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2011, p. 11
`FUJIFILM v. Sony, 2018-00876
`
`

`

`4.2
`
`Operational and Storage Environmental Maintenance ...............
`
`4.3
`
`Transportation Guidelines ...............................................
`4.3.1 Packaging for Transportation ..................................
`4.3.2 Handling During Transportation ...............................
`4.3.3 Conditioning to New Environments ....................... .. . ..
`
`4.4
`
`General Care and Handling Tips .......................................
`
`4.5
`
`3480 Type Tape Drive Maintenance ...................................
`4.5.1 3480 Type Cleaning Cartridge .................................
`4.5.2 Wet Cleaning ....................................................
`
`4.6
`
`Fire Protection Recommendations .....................................
`
`4.7 Water Protection Recommendations ...................................
`
`4.8
`
`Contamination Migration Avoidance Recommendations ............
`
`Retensioning 3480 Type Tape Cartridges ...................................
`
`Chromium Dioxide's Toxic Nature ...........................................
`
`6.1
`
`Potential Health Risks ....................................................
`
`6.2
`
`Potential Disposal Problems ............................................
`
`Information from Users .........................................................
`
`7.1
`
`Internal Revenue Service ................................................
`
`National Center for Atmospheric Research ...........................
`7.2
`7.3 Mobil Exploration and Producing Services Inc. .....................
`7.4
`Shell Oil Company .......................................................
`7.5
`Social Security Administration .........................................
`7.6
`The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints ....................
`7.7 Western Geophysical ....................................................
`
`17
`
`18
`
`18
`
`19
`19
`
`20
`
`21
`
`21
`
`21
`
`22
`
`23
`
`24
`
`25
`
`27
`
`27
`
`27
`
`28
`
`28
`
`28
`
`29
`29
`
`30
`31
`
`31
`
`
`
`
`
`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2011, p. 12
`FUJIFILM v. Sony, 2018-00876
`
`

`

`Information from Manufacturers .............................................
`
`8.1
`
`8.2
`
`8.3
`8.4
`
`8.5
`
`8.6
`
`3M ..........................................................................
`
`BASF .......................................................................
`
`Carlisle Memory Products ...............................................
`Du Pont ....................................................................
`
`IBM ........................................................................
`
`StorageTek .................................................................
`
`Infomation from other Sources on...cooo'oooo'tuoottu.notoctooottcttooocotoc
`
`9.1
`9.2
`
`National Media Laboratory ..............................................
`Battelle .....................................................................
`
`10
`
`Conclusions ........................................................................
`
`Definitions .................... . .......
`
`......
`
`..............
`
`33
`
`33
`
`33
`34
`
`34
`35
`
`35
`
`36
`
`36
`
`36
`
`39
`
`40
`
`References ................................................................ . ........
`
`43
`
`Other References.............. ........
`
`...............
`
`........
`
`45
`
`
`
`
`
`xi
`
`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2011, p. 13
`FUJIFILM v. Sony, 2018-00876
`
`

`

`List of Figures
`
`Figure
`Figure
`Figure
`Figure
`Figure
`Figure
`Figure
`
`\lO‘lLIl-P-DJNr—I
`
`3480 Type Tape Structure ...............................................
`3480 Type Tape Cartridge Assembly ..................................
`3480 Type Tape Drive Assembly ......................................
`3480 Type Tape Usable Recording Area ..............................
`Temperature and Humidity Table ......................................
`Summary of User Information ..........................................
`Summary of Manufacturer and Other Source Information .........
`
`4
`5
`7
`9
`16
`32
`37
`
`
`
`
`
`xii
`
`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2011, p. 14
`FUJIFILM v. Sony, 2018-00876
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`1. Introduction
`
`The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has accumulated
`extensive historical records of oceanic and atmospheric currents and weather extending
`back through most of the 20th century, and in some instances, into the middle 19th
`century.
`Included are both in—situ
`and satellite observations covering ocean,
`atmosphere and land.
`These records, which span the industrial
`revolution and
`subsequent periods of rapid economic development, are invaluable in baseline scientific
`studies, model verification, and assessment of environmental trends.
`
`Much of NOAA's data and information at its data centers are still held in hard copy
`form (e. g., paper or microfilm). Altogether, over 90 million records of handwritten
`and printed text and drawings, atlases and maps, numerical tables, etc., have been
`identified as worth retaining. Digitizing and migrating these material into automated
`systems will be a massive task, but an essential one.
`In their current form, the records
`are neither stable nor easily accessible and, therefore, not really useful.
`
`tape, of which
`In addition, NOAA retains over 241,000 reels of magnetic
`approximately 60,000 units are the 3480 type tape cartridges. Eighty percent of the 9-
`track open reel tapes have never been backed up, and 40% of these tapes are now at the
`end of their typical life span. Some permanent tape damage on 9-track open reel tapes
`has already been documented, resulting in the loss of valuable satellite data. The only
`immediate approach to this problem is bulk transcription to new tapes, and eventual
`migration to modern and more cost-efficient media.
`
`In 1985, NOAA began copying its archive information to the 3480 type technology in
`lieu of using the 9-track open reel tapes. This was done to take advantage of the
`smaller volume required to store the media, and to exploit
`the enhanced error
`correction and performance of the 3480 type technology. However, soon after NOAA
`began using these media,
`the industry began reporting problems associated with the
`premature degradation of the polyester polyurethane binders which hold the magnetic
`chromium dioxide particles (CIOQ to the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate.
`NOAA has not experienced any of these problems in its operations. However, there is
`concern that the archiving of satellite data has unknown risk because of the lack of
`documented experiences related to the 3480 type media.
`
`
`
`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2011, p. 15
`FUJIFILM v. Sony, 2018-00876
`
`

`

`The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), under the sponsorship of
`NCAA, has undertaken an appraisal of the potential risks associated with the storage of
`data on the 3480 type media. This study discusses the findings of the appraisal and, in
`addition, summarizes reasonable procedures for the care and handling of the 3480 type
`media in order to minimize the potential risks. This report is intended to inform data
`managers of the potential chemical, mechanical, and magnetic failure mechanisms
`associated with the 3480 type media and to summarize the experiences and
`recommendations of major 3480 type technology users and manufactures.
`
`In addition, recommendations from applicable scientific literature and the opinions of
`other media experts are included. This document is a guideline and reference for data
`managers who are attempting to minimize potential risks associated with the storage of
`valuable data on the 3480 type tape cartridges.
`
`
`
`
`
`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2011, p. 16
`FUJIFILM v. Sony, 2018-00876
`
`

`

`2. 3480 Type Recording System
`
`To reliably store data on computer magnetic storage systems it is necessary to study the
`reliability of the entire system (e.g., tape, cartridge, error correction, transport, etc.).
`While most scientific documents focus their attention on the reliability and life
`expectancy of the magnetic tape components (e.g., substrate, magnetic particles, binder
`formulations), it is important that the data managers keep a systems point of view. The
`3480 type technology systems have employed several new features which provide a
`substantial
`improvement
`in performance and reliability over the 9—t1ack open reel
`systems.
`These new features include:
`the cartridge, a tape-lifter ("puffer"), and
`powerful error correction capabilities. The following sections discuss the 3480 type
`tape structure, the 3480 type cartridge assembly,
`the 3480 type tape drive assembly,
`and the 3480 type methods of recording and error correction.
`
`2.1 3480 Type Tape Structure
`
`The 3480 type tape consists of acicular chromium dioxide (CrOz) particles dispersed in
`
`a polyester polyurethane binder onto a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate.
`Some 3480 type tapes have a back—coating consisting of carbon particles, which helps
`to reduce problems associated with static electricity.
`
`The actual formulas of the binders are considered proprietary information by each
`media manufacturer. However,
`typical ingredients include: binder material, solvents,
`softener, wetting agents, anti—static agents, lubricants, and abrasive agents [7]. Some
`older tape technology binder formulations included fungicides.
`Fungicides are not
`required for the 3480 type tape technology since chromium is itself a fungicide.
`
`According to the ANSI X3.180—l990 standard, the 3480 type media must be not less
`than 165 meters (541 feet) long and the total thickness at any point along the tape must
`be between 25.9 pm and 33.7 um (1020 pin and 1330 uin). The width specification of
`the 3480 type tape is 12.65 mm +/- 0.025 mm (0.4980 in +/- 0.0010 in).
`
`
`
`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2011, p. 17
`FUJIFILM v. Sony, 2018-00876
`
`

`

`
`
`Polyethylene Terephthalate
`(PET) Substrate
`
` The magnetic coating of chromium
`
`dioxide particles held in a polyester
`polyurethane binder.
`
`The optional backcoat layer of carbon
`particles held in a polyester polyurethane binder
`
`Figure 1. 3480 Type Tape Structure.
`
`
`
`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2011, p. 18
`FUJIFILM v. Sony, 2018-00876
`
`

`

`2.2 3480 Type Tape Cartridge Assembly
`
`The 3480 type tape is housed in a single reel cartridge. The tape is mechanically fed
`from this cartridge to a take-up reel in the tape drive. The cartridge provides some
`environmental protection, as well as less intimate user—to-tape contact. The cartridge
`components include: case, write—file protect mechanism, reel for the magnetic tape,
`locking mechanism for the reel, magnetic tape wound on the hub of the reel, leader
`block, and latching mechanism for the leader block [8].
`
`TOP SIDE
`
`
`
`MAGNETIC TAPE
`
`RECORDING SURFACE
`
`
`REAR SIDE
`
`LOCATING
`NOTCH
`
`LEADER BLOCK
`
`
`
`-
`F
`
`WRITE INHIBIT SUR ACE
`BOTTOM SIDE
`
`FRONT SIDE
`RIGHT-HAND SIDE
`
`Figure 2. 3480 Type Tape Cartridge Assembly.
`
`This material is reproduced with permission from American National Standard X3. 180-1990, copyright
`1991 by the American National Standards Institute. Copies of this standard may be purchased from
`ANSI at 11 West 42nd Street, New York, N. Y. 10036
`
`
`
`
`
`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2011, p. 19
`FUJIFILM v. Sony, 2018-00876
`
`

`

`2.3 3480 Type Tape Drive Assembly
`
`tungsten
`The tape drive assembly consists of the cartridge loader, tape threader arm,
`carbide cleaning blades, read/write head, puffer, take-up reel, and tension transducer.
`
`the automatic
`When the 3480 type tape cartridge is loaded into the cartridge loader,
`threader arm's pin inserts into the leader block and threads the tape past the cleaner
`blades and read/write head to the take-up reel.
`Tape tension is controlled and
`
`maintained by the tension transducer.
`
`Unlike the open reel tape drives, the 3480 type tape drive moves the tape without the
`use of capstans or vacuum columns [9]. The 3480 type technology digital servo control
`system and new thin film head technology permit low acceleration tape motion, which
`eliminates the need for vacuum columns, capstans, and beginning of tape/end of tape
`reflective markers [10].
`
`The 3480 read/write head is a combination of magnetoresistive thin-film read elements,
`planar thin film write turns, and ferrite pole-pieces [11].
`
`An additional feature of the 3480 type tape drive is the tungsten carbide cleaning blades
`which scrape the recording surface of the tape to remove debris. This cleaning action is
`assisted by a vacuum that sucks away the debris loosened by the cleaning blades [1 l].
`
`The 3480 type tape drives also include a tape-lifter, called a "puffer." The puffer
`introduces a jet of air between the head and tape whenever the tape is stopped. This
`film of air between the tape and head prevents intimate contact, which effectively
`reduces problems with machine drag and the possibility of head-to-tape adhesion [4].
`
`
`
`
`
`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2011, p. 20
`FUJIFILM v. Sony, 2018-00876
`
`

`

`Figure 3. 3480 Type Tape Drive Assembly.
`
`Courtesy of the IBM Corporation
`ation
`1984, 1987, 1989 All Rights Reserved
`Copyright IBM Corpor
`
`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2011, p. 21
`FUJIFILM v. Sony, 2018-00876
`
`
`
`

`

`2.4 3480 Type Methods of Recording and Error Correction
`
`The 3480 type tape systems record data on 18 tracks in parallel. These systems feature
`a three million byte per second instantaneous data rate, and a linear data density of
`1491 Bpmm (approx. 38 kBpi.) [8],[12]. The result is approximately 200 million bytes
`per cartridge capacity. Since media manufacturers vary in the actual length of their
`tape per cartridge, the overall capacities vary slightly.
`
`Magnetic tape systems use error correction codes (ECC) to improve data integrity and
`performance. The 3480 type systems use an ECC scheme called adaptive cross-parity
`(AXP). The 3480 type media's 18 tracks are divided into two interleaved groups of
`nine tracks. Each group consists of seven data tracks and two error check tracks. This
`method can correct up to three erased tracks of data in any one group of nine tracks and
`up to four erased tracks of data in the 18 tracks together.
`This ECC scheme has
`interacting vertical-parity check bits and cross-parity check bits, which provide
`robustness due to redundancy in the correction of errors [8], [12].
`
`Data are verified and corrected during the write process by the 3480 type tape drive's
`ECC. As a result, gross manufacturing failures in the media are detected during the
`write process.
`In other words, if you can write a 3480 type tape cartridge, you can
`read it. This philosophy assumes that no chemical, mechanical, and/or magnetic modes
`of failure have occurred during storage.
`
`
`
`
`
`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2011, p. 22
`FUJIFILM v. Sony, 2018-00876
`
`

`

`LEADER BLOCK
`
`BOT
`
`
`
`
`1.34 m JE:>‘
`_
`32
`4.401!
`MAXIMUM
`10.6871? M'N'MUM
`
`
`
`TAPE BACK
`
`155 [TI
`541" MINIMUM TOTAL LENGTH
`4.3 m MINIMUM
`
`TAPE REFERENCE EDGE
`
`
`
`
`TRACK 1
`
` RECORDING
`TRACK 18
`SURFACE
`
`
`TAPE-TO-HUB
`
`JUNCTION
`
`
`Figure 4. 3480 Type Tape Usable Recording Area.
`
`171is material is reproduced with permission from American National Standard X3.180—1990, copyright
`1991 by the American National Standards Institute. Copies of this standard may be purchased from
`ANSI at 11 West 42nd Street, New York, N. Y. 10036
`
`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2011, p. 23
`FUJIFILM v. Sony, 2018-00876
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`3. Potential Failure Mechanisms
`
`There are a number of hazards which can lead to catastrophic failures of magnetic
`media, resulting in the inability to recover the data written on the media. Removable
`magnetic media are, by their nature, subject to the function of interchanging data both
`within and among various computer installations. This makes the environmental and
`handling conditions to which they are exposed relatively uncontrolled [4].
`Poor
`maintenance of the environment and improper care and handling procedures may lead
`to chemical, mechanical, and/or magnetic failure of the media and, consequently, the
`loss of data.
`
`Excursions in temperature and humidity have the most harmful effects on magnetic
`media, and cause the majority of chemical, mechanical, and magnetic failures. The
`3480 type tape cartridges are no exception. Magnetic tapes are manufactured in an
`environment of approximately 18 °C (65 0F) and 40% RH.
`The most optimum
`condition would be to maintain these media in this steady-state environment at all
`times.
`
`3.1 Chemical
`
`Based on extensive work involving iron oxide based magnetic tapes, one of the most
`likely modes of failure on a 3480 type tape cartridge is the premature degradation of
`the polyester polyurethane binder which holds the CrO2 particles to the PET substrate.
`
`the PET substrate displays
`Under the proper environmental and handling conditions,
`the polyester polyurethane
`relatively low levels of hydrolytic cleavage. However,
`binder under the same conditions undergoes a much higher degree of hydrolysis. This
`may result in a softening, embrittlement, and/or loss of adhesion of the binder layer to
`the PET substrate [1]. This work refers only to binders containing gamma-ferric oxide
`(gamma-F6203). Some aspects of the formulation are different for CrO2 tapes. The
`
`conclusion that the same mechanisms are equally important to the 3480 type media is
`by analogy, but a reasonable conclusion.
`
`The binder degradation is caused by hydrolysis, which is the breakdown of an ester to
`its parent carboxylic acid and alcohol. The chemical reactions of water with polymer
`materials, and the hydrolytic action on the polyester polyurethane tape binders has been
`studied in depth [l3], [14],
`[15].
`Some important conclusions of these studies are
`discused below.
`
`10
`
`
`
`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2011, p. 24
`FUJIFILM v. Sony, 2018-00876
`
`

`

`Hydrolytic degradation will cause the production of carboxylic acids and alcohol. This
`chemical reaction will cause the tapes to become sticky and,
`in the worst cases, will
`lead to the shedding of gummy and sticky chemical byproducts.
`These chemical
`byproducts will
`lead to extensive mechanical
`failures. Furthermore, hydrolytically
`produced debris may contaminate the mechanical components of the tape drive and, as
`a result, contaminate other media and other drives (see sec. 4.8).
`In addition, sticky
`tapes will have an increase in their
`frictional characteristics, which can lead to
`mechanical failures causing the data signals to be read in error. The errors caused by
`hydrolytic degradation are more obvious with the higher density data capacities of
`modern data storage technologies, such as the 3480 type technology.
`
`Hydrolysis is caused primarily by poor environments. Although the effect of high
`temperature and humidity are stressed, extreme cold temperatures will cause the tape's
`binder to become brittle and the PET to shrink. Also, adjacent layers of tape may
`adhere to one another.
`In addition, problems during usage with static electricity will
`occur in extreme dry environments.
`
`the suggested environment for the long term storage of data has been
`Therefore,
`determined to be approximately 18 0C (65 0F), and 40% RH, which is a compromise
`between conflicting demands [2].
`
`3.2 Mechanical
`
`Steady—state environmental conditions are also important for the mechanical stability of
`the 3480 tape media. Variations in environmental conditions can cause expansion and
`contraction of the 3480 type media. This shrinking and stretching of the tape can be
`caused by thermal expansion (variations in temperature), and/or hygroscopic expansion
`(the motion of water in and out of the tape).
`
`Chemical degradation, variations in temperature and humidity, and poor handling
`procedures can cause mechanical distortions of the tape. These distortions may then
`lead to errors due to the disruption in the physical positioning of the data bits,
`the
`inability of the transport
`to properly move the tape, changes in the frictional
`characteristics of the tape, and/or the physical destruction of the media. Some of these
`mechanical modes of failure are:
`stick, embossment of debris,
`inter-layer slip,
`
`cinching, and creep.
`
`ll
`
`
`
`FUJIFILM, Exh. 2011, p. 25
`FUJIFILM v. Sony, 2018-00876
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`3.2.1 Stick
`
`With increased temperature, the p