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The above roadmap is a projection of AIT product development and is subject to change. There is no guarantee or warranty, expressed or implied, that future generations will be developed or brought to market.

AIT-1
The AIT-1 format, introduced in 1996, offered a data capacity rate of 25GB (65GB compressed), and a 3MB/s (7.8MB/s compressed) data transfer rate. An extended length tape for the AIT-1 drive was introduced in 1999 to offer additional capacity of 35GB (90GB compressed) and the data transfer rate was increased to 4MB/s (10MB/s compressed) in 2001. AIT-1 shipments have continued to increase and represent about 50% of total AIT unit shipments today and are a primary replacement product for the 4mm DDS tape market.

AIT-2
An important contributor to the past AIT technology growth has been the AIT-2 product line, introduced in March of 1999 and providing a capacity of 50GB (130GB compressed) together with a 6MB/s data transfer rate (15MB/s compressed). AIT-2 has also continued to increase and now accounts for about 30% of total AIT unit output. The AIT-2 has been enhanced to provide the Write-Once-Read-Many (WORM) capability for selected applications and configurations. Similar to the AIT-1, the AIT-2 is market positioned to compete in the low-end tape market, specifically targeting the new generation of 4mm DDS products.

AIT-3
AIT-3 is the third generation AIT technology implementation released in late 2001. AIT-3 is fully backward read and write compatible with all AIT-2 and AIT-1 media, and offers a native capacity of 100GB (260GB with compression) and a native data transfer rate of 12MB/s (31MB/s compressed) in a compact 3.5" form-factor. The AIT-3 continues the AIT reputation of providing the best capacity and performance within a 3.5" form-factor, and providing a seamless migration path for AIT-1 and AIT-2 users who require maximum capacity and performance without the need to change drive and media technology. The AIT-3 also offers the Write-Once-Read-Many (WORM) feature.

AIT-4
AIT-4 is the fourth member of the AIT family and is now in its final development stages for an expected release during mid-2004. In keeping with the defined roadmap of doubling capacity and transfer rate, this drive is expected to offer 200GB of native capacity (520GB compressed), with a native data transfer rate of 24MB/s (62MB/s compressed). The AIT-4 will be read and write compatible with the AIT-3 media and read compatible with all AIT-1 and AIT-2 media. The AIT-4 is expected to also offer the Write-Once-Read-Many (WORM) feature.

AIT-5
AIT-5 is now in developmental planning and will be the 5th generation of AIT. This drive is expected to offer up to 400GB of native capacity (1.04TB compressed) and an expected native data transfer rate of 48MB/s (124MB/s compressed). The AIT-5 is expected to be the first helical-scan tape drive to use Magneto-Resistive (MR) direct flux sensing technology.

AIT-6
AIT-6 is in a research and advanced development stage necessary to prove key media and recording head technology implementation. In keeping with the overall AIT roadmap strategy, this drive is expected to offer up to 800GB of native capacity (2.08TB compressed) and an expected native data transfer rate of 96MB/s (248MB/s compressed).