PROTOTYPE OPTICAL TAPE-RECORDER

In 1994 a new concept for an optical tape recorder, based on a very fa st spinning polygon, was presented. Since then, a prototype tape recor der has been developed on the basis of this technology. In order to re duce the complexity of the system, the optical configuration was redes igned. Also, a new polygon with 10 facets was developed. Finally, the tape transport mechanism was modified in order to further decrease the access time. The result is a smaller recorder consisting of fewer com ponents and having better performance than the original one. Typically , a storage capacity on the order of 50-100 Gbyte is possible in a sma ll cassette. Bit rates are up to 25 Mbit/s. An access time of less tha n 3 s was realized for 50 Gbytes of storage capacity.