Cartridge memory

Each 3592 data cartridge contains a passive, contactless, silicon storage device called cartridge memory (CM).

The CM module holds information about that specific cartridge, the media in the cartridge, and the data on the media. The cartridge and media information is stored in a protected, read-only area of the CM. When the cartridge is loaded into the drive, a CM reader in the drive uses a contactless, radio-frequency interface to read the information. The media's performance statistics are stored in an unprotected, read/write area of the CM module. Prior to when the cartridge is unloaded, these statistics are updated by the CM reader. They are maintained by a portion of the drive's microcode known as the Statistical Analysis and Reporting System (SARS). Each cleaning cartridge also contains a CM module, which tracks the number of cleaning uses and the location of the used cleaning media.