Abstract: A method for fast, high-density data storage in a data storage device having plural storage sections that includes overwriting and reformatting of entire storage sections, each having a large storage capacity. New or changed data is written continuously on free storage sites of a particular storage section until it is filled. Data from the newly-filled section is restructured and copied to a target section. Additional data is then stored onto a second storage section while the first storage section is restructured and copied. The previously-filled section may be reformatted to store new data after the second storage section is filled with data. The process may be repeated to allow for continuous data storage.

Abstract: A linked list memory (8) having an address generator (19) used during initial processing and a method for assigning addresses to lists corresponding to devices using a common memory (10). When the address generator (19) has assigned each address location once, a free list is used to track available addresses. The free list is not used until all addresses have been assigned once. In one embodiment, a counter (22) is incremented each time an address is assigned, where the value of counter (22) provides the address for a write operation. The counter (22) is not effected by requests to read from memory. The free list is not used until the counter (22) has been used to assign all addresses in the memory (10).

Abstract: A complete digital data storage magnetic tape system for utilization with a host unit comprising a host device, an interface for interfacing the host unit with the DDS system, a controller for encoding and decoding data to and from the magnetic tape, an automatic track follower for performing automatic track following on the magnetic tape, a driver for driving the magnetic tape, a read/write channel for channeling data thereto and therefrom, a read/write head drum for transferring data to and from the magnetic tape, the controller, the automatic track follower, the driver, the read/write channel, and the read/write head drum all being under software programmable control.