DTI-201 PCI Bus Interface for High Speed for High Speed Digital Tape Recorders

The CALCULEX DTI-201 PCI Bus Interface (PBIF) interfaces state-of-the-art PC-compatible computers to high-speed digital tape recorders such as the Ampex DCRsi, and Metrum-Datatape LP400. The PBIF installs into a 32-bit PCI bus slot of a PC-compatible computer and connects to the tape drive data connectors via a single rear-panel connector. The PC must also be connected to the tape drive control port via a PC RS-232 or RS-422 serial adapter.
The PBIF supports tape drive data transfer rates of up to 64 megabytes per second (sustained) during both record and playback operation. Data is transferred between PC memory and the PBIF at rates up to 133 megabytes per second (burst) without processor intervention. The CPU is involved in data transfers only to the extent necessary to initialize the DMA controller.
The PBIF supports the "plug and play" concept. No setting of jumpers or DIP switches is required during installation.
Software supplied with the PBIF includes drivers, installation programs, and test utilities. The precise software complement is dependent on the target platform. For example, a virtual device driver (VxD), a dynamic link library (DLL) and a sample application (PBIF Utility), is provided for Microsoft Windows platforms.
The PBIF Utility controls operation of the tape drive via one of the PC serial ports and controls the PBIF hardware via the PCI bus. The PBIF Utility allows the operator to transfer data between the tape drive and PC disk files. Built-in-tests allow the PBIF Utility to perform complete functional testing of the PBIF hardware, the tape drive and the cabling. Utility source code is provided, making it useful as a programming example.

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