Overview
ISO/IEC 10149:1995 - "Information technology - Data interchange on read-only 120 mm optical data disks (CD‑ROM)" specifies the physical, optical and logical characteristics of 120 mm read‑only optical discs (CD‑ROM) for reliable information interchange and storage. It defines test environments, mechanical and material properties, track and sector formats, modulation/coding (F‑frames, CIRC, 8→14 encoding), error detection/correction and optical read requirements to ensure cross‑vendor compatibility.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and purpose: Requirements for CD‑ROMs written before delivery (read‑only) covering interchange between information processing systems.
- Definitions & frame structure: Terms such as F1/F2/F3‑Frames, control bytes, physical/information/lead‑in/lead‑out areas, sectors and sections are formalized.
- Mechanical & dimensional specs: Mandatory dimensions include the centre hole (15.0 mm), rim diameter (120.0 mm ±0.3 mm) and disk weight (14–33 g). Reference planes, clamping and transition areas are specified to ensure mechanical interchangeability.
- Material & optical properties: Information area composition (transparent substrate, reflective layer, protective layer), substrate refractive index (≈1.55 ±0.10) and minimum reflectance (70 %). Birefringence, labeling limits and inflammability criteria are also addressed.
- Optical read and testing: Test optical stylus characteristics (wavelength 780 nm ±10 nm, NA ≈0.45 ±0.01) and defined normal/restricted testing environments (temperature, humidity, conditioning). Operating temperature range is specified (≈ −25 °C to +70 °C) and storage conditions (≈ −20 °C to +50 °C).
- Signal & error control: HF signal quality, modulation, cross‑talk, jitter limits, radial track follow signals and explicit error‑correction/encoding methods (CIRC, RSPC in annexes), scrambling, parity (P/Q), EDC and sector headers. Annexes A–E are normative technical encodings; Annex F provides storage‑test information.
Applications - who uses this standard
- CD‑ROM media manufacturers and replicators - for production, QA and compliance testing.
- Optical drive and optics designers - to ensure read/write optics, tracking and signal processing meet CD‑ROM interoperability requirements.
- Test laboratories and certification bodies - for environmental, mechanical and optical conformance tests.
- Software distributors, archivists and system integrators - to ensure media produced for distribution or long‑term storage conforms for universal readability.
- Standards and procurement teams - to reference mandatory interchange characteristics in contracts and product specifications.
Related standards
- ISO 9660 - CD‑ROM volume and file structure (referenced for file interchange).
- IEC 908 - Compact Disc Digital Audio (audio track formatting referenced where applicable).
ISO/IEC 10149 is essential for ensuring CD‑ROM media and drives remain interoperable, durable and predictable across manufacturing, distribution and archival use. Keywords: ISO/IEC 10149, CD‑ROM standard, optical disc, CD‑ROM physical characteristics, CIRC, error correction, data interchange.
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