Microtape

This document provides technical specifications and operational guidance for the Microtape system, which comprises the Type 555 Dual Tape Transport and the Type 550 Microtape Control. The system uses a fast, reliable, and low-cost magnetic tape format with fixed-position addressing, bi-directional operation, and redundant phase recording for high data integrity. Key sections detail the hardware components, the tape format (utilizing timing and mark tracks), and the modes of operation (Search, Read, Write, and Move). Additionally, the document outlines the available subroutines for PDP-1 and PDP-4 systems, including diagnostic programs like MICROTOG and data retrieval tools like MICROTRIEVE, and provides a comprehensive instruction set for the control system.