A3MP Technology In Sony LTO-4 Ultrium Tape
Today
in this modern era, metal particle data tapes are an important tool in the data
centers. I.T professionals have worked since 1965 on the base of Moore Law.
Gordon E. Moore predicted that after every 2 years the transistor’s quantity on
integrated circuit will be doubled. According to the prediction, the power of
the processor was doubled. Therefore as result of this enhancement in processor
speed, the computer systems were able to accommodate and support more complex
and high tech forms of data. Information technology world has expanded
enormously to embrace desktop publishing, word processing, web assets, high
definition video, digital imaging (high resolution), archiving and backup of
e-mail etc.
Remarkable
growth and extension has been done in the power and speed of processor so that
it can match with the incredible increase in digital information and data.
According to the survey of IDC (International Data Corporation), in the year
2007 the digital information created was about 281 billion GB (281 exabytes).
This digital information was about 75 percent more than the previous year 2006.
IDC prediction is that by the year 2011, annually digital information of about
1800 exabytes will be created. So the annual compounded growth rate roughly
equates to 60 percent. As the data is being generated at such high increasing
rate, it is the requirement of the new data regulatory legislations and
mandates to make the data accessible and retention for longer period of
time.
The
metal particles used in the Sony LTO4 tape format are very small in size
(approx. 30nm long). The small metal particles in the Sony LTO-4 naturally help
to increase the recording density that is the requirement of the LTO-4 tape
technology. The other technology that boosts the performance of the Sony LTO4
tape format is the new A3-MP (advanced alloy armored metal particles). The
small fine metal particles in Sony LTO 4 are encapsulated entirely in coating of
ceramic/alloy. Each metal particle is protected from undesirable oxidation
because of the coating and so the premature loss of data is prevented. Each
particle of the Sony LTO-4 is armored with coating of alloy/ceramic. That is
why the archival life of Sony LTO4 tape cartridges is exceptional.
The
ratio of carrier to noise can be degraded if there is dissimilarity in the
orientation and size of the metal particle. So in this way the detection of
difference among 1s & 0s data is hard for the tape drive. Strict process
control mechanism is exercised by Sony so that consistent size of metal
particle can be maintained. Consistent orientation is maintained by Sony as
freshly coated LTO-4 tapes are subjected to highly accurate and powerful
magnetic orientation. Therefore in this way the carries to noise is improved
measurably. Thick coating at high density causes self demagnetization. The
recorded signals are weakened due to this phenomenon. Coating in Sony LTO4 tape
cartridges is very thin and fine of about 200nm that helps to overcome and
prevent the problem of self demagnetization. Coating of 200nm results in a thin
layer whose thickness comprises of only 3 metal particles. Coating mechanisms
of Sony are successful as they have applied the active layer of metal particle
with extreme and ultimate consistency. Sony is one of the only manufactures of
data media that is also tape drive’s primary manufacturer.
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