Data storage tape cartridge with datum pads for registration with a tape drive

A data storage tape cartridge comprising:

• an exterior housing defined by a front, a back, a first side, a second side, a top, and a bottom, the housing forming:
• a leader block window at a corner defined by the front and the first side,
• first and second lateral datum pads impressed into and part of the exterior housing top,
• first and second longitudinal datum pads formed in the front,
• a registration slot formed in the front and extending along the bottom;
• a single tape reel rotatably maintained within the housing;
• a storage tape wrapped about the tape reel;
• and
• a leader block coupled to a leading end of the storage tape and selectively secured to the housing at the leader block window;
• wherein the lateral datum pads are configured to identify a top-to-bottom position of the tape reel, the longitudinal datum pads are configured to identify a front-to-back position of the tape reel, and the registration slot is configured to define a side-to-side position of the tape reel.

A data storage tape drive system comprising:

• a data storage tape cartridge comprising:
• an exterior housing defined by a front, a back, a first side, a second side, a top and
• a bottom, the housing forming:
• a leader block window at a corner defined by the front and the first side,
• a first lateral datum pad formed in the top,
• a first longitudinal datum pad formed in the front,
• an opening formed through the bottom,
• a single tape reel rotatably maintained within the housing at the opening in the bottom,
• a storage tape wrapped about the tape reel,
• a leader block coupled to a leading end of the storage tape and selectively secured to the housing at the leader block window;
• and
• a tape drive including:
• a receiving frame,
• a rotatable drive hub configured to engage the tape reel,
• a first lateral registration device,
• a first longitudinal registration device;
• wherein the first lateral datum pad is engaged by the first lateral registration device and the first longitudinal datum pad is engaged by the first longitudinal registration device when the data storage tape cartridge is placed within the receiving frame to align the tape reel with the drive hub.