Digital data tape storage system utilizing plurality of read/write heads with system diagnostic capability

Claim 1

A magnetic tape digital data storage (DDS) system comprising: interface means for communication with a host unit; buffer manager means for managing data to and from said interface means; main data buffer means, coupled to said buffer manager means, for buffering data; frame buffer means for buffering data in frame format; head drum means for reading and writing on magnetic tape, said head drum means including read heads and write heads; channel means for channeling data to and from said head drum means; a serial bus; a formatter bus coupled to said channel means; formatter means for formatting and transferring data from said buffer manager means to said frame buffer means and from said frame buffer means to said buffer manager means, said formatter means coupled to said formatter bus so that data from said formatter means is transmitted over said formatter bus to said channel means; said formatter means coupled to said serial bus and including oscillator means for selecting any transfer data rate independent of a host unit clock while maintaining compatibility with DDS standard format; a digital-to-analog converter, coupled to said serial bus; drive means for driving magnetic tape, said drive means coupled to said formatter means by said serial bus through said digital-to-analog converter; converter bus means for transmitting analog signals from said drive means to a central processing unit; follower means for controlling relative position of said read and write heads with regard to data tracks on magnetic tape, said follower means being coupled to said serial bus, said channel means and said drive means, said read heads providing positioning information to said follower means; and said central processing unit coupled to said buffer manager means, said formatter means, said follower means, said drive means, and to said converter bus means.