Error propagation evaluation for MDFE detection

Multilevel decision feedback equalization (MDFE) provides a simple and effective approach to equalization and detection for high recording densities with bit error rate comparable to PRML. However, in contrast to PRML it has, like any other DFE detector, a significant error propagation. To study this effect, the Markov chain analysis is applied. We will evaluate the performance of MDFE read channel on all subsequent stages of data processing including MDFE detector, run-length limited decoder and error correction decoder. A simple constraint on the feedback equalizer is examined, that may be useful in restricting the resulting error propagation