Disk Cartridge Memory

This engineering specification document details the RK08 disk cartridge memory system designed for the PDP-8 family of computers. It covers the physical and operational characteristics of the RK08 controller and the RK01 disk drive, including:

• System Overview: Describes the disk cartridge mechanics, read/write head operation, and sectoring.
• Specifications: Provides detailed technical data including storage capacity, access times, transfer rates, environmental requirements, and power usage.
• Programming: Details the instruction set, register definitions, command sequences, and status register bits for controlling the system.
• Format Description: Explains the track and sector formatting requirements for valid data storage.
• Acceptance Procedure: Outlines the diagnostic steps and reliability patterns to ensure the system is properly configured and functional.