Abstract: A data transfer system using cassettes with a tape drive is configured with a number of removable cassettes stored in front to rear alignment adjacent one side (e.g. the bottom) of the tape drive. Cassettes in a removable cassette tray in a magazine are disposed in two levels, and shifted between entry and exit regions of the cassette tray after each successive cassette is derived from the tape drive and a new one is supplied. A transporter moves the individual cassette between the cassette tray and the tape drive. Advantageously, this system is configured to fit into the form factor of a standard height enclosure, with a high density DAT format tape drive occupying the upper half and the cassette tray and magazine occupying the lower half.

Abstract: A data smoother for a streaming cartridge tape drive includes a circuit for generating a clock signal and a circuit for comparing the phase of the clock signal with the phase of the data signal input to the data smoother. The frequency of the clock signal is increased when the data signal leads the clock signal by an amount which is directly proportional to the phase difference between the clock signal and the data signal, and the frequency of the clock signal is decreased when the data signal lags the clock signal by an amount which is directly proportional to the phase difference between the clock signal and the data signal.