Menu
Any idea regarding the usual storage capacity of a magnetic swipe card ( like the ones that are used in ATM's ) ?
(PS : Tried googling but didn't get anything satisfactory and point on)
318
The magnetic stripe contains three tracks, each 0.110 inches (2.79 mm) wide. Tracks one and three are typically recorded at 210 bits per inch (8.27 bits per mm), while track two typically has a recording density of 75 bits per inch (2.95 bits per mm).
How much data can a magnetic tape storage hold? Similarly to hard drive disks, magnetic tapes can store enormous amounts of data averaging between 1-15 terabytes. This makes them a great long term storage option particularly for system backups, archive data and exchange purposes.
(19 digits Max.) Name (26 alphanumeric characters Max.) Primary Account No. (19 digits Max.)
Tape is a narrow strip being magnetized on one side of the strip. To store data, the narrow strip goes through below the magnetic head which stores the data into bits. Various data are stored on the strip. It helps in storing digital information.
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_stripe, it appears that the card is composed of three tracks (as previously mentioned by Pax), and Tracks 1 and 3 have a bit density of 210 bits/inch, while Track 2 has a bit density of 75 bits per inch.
If the strip is 3.25" long, then it can theoretically store 1607 bits, with 682 on each of Tracks 1 and 3, and 243 on Track 2.
61
ISO 7813 specifies the layouts for track 1 and 2. Track 3 is covered by ISO 4909.
Track 2 is the one commonly used for banking.
See ISO7813 and ISO4909 for details. Sorry, no wikipedia for 4909, you'll have to buy the docs from ISO or your country's standards body.
44
If you love us? You can donate to us via Paypal or buy me a coffee so we can maintain and grow! Thank you!
Donate Us With
