NEC completed the 543 magnetic tape unit in 1962. It achieved a tape running speed of 4m/s, which was the world's fastest at the time.
This unit was used with the NEAC-2230 and NEAC-2206, and it was exhibited at the first Japanese made electronic computer show in November 1962.
This unit had a pinch roller type tape drive system, and a vacuum chamber type tape shock absorber mechanism.
There were two models, the 543A and 543B, with different tape running speeds.
| Model name | 543A | 543B | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnetic tape |
Width (mm) | 12.7 | |
| Length (m) | 760 | ||
| Number of tracks | 7 | ||
| Tape running speed (m/s) | 4 | 2 | |
| Tape rewind speed (m/s) | 6 | ||
| Start/stop time (msec) | 4 | ||
| Information recording density (bit/mm) | 15 | ||
| Information transfer speed (char(BCD)/s) | 90,000 | 45,000 | |
| Application | NEAC-2230,NEAC-2206 | ||
