Evaluation of magnetic recording detection schemes for thin film media

The authors compare the error rate of fixed-delay tree-search with decision-feedback (FDTS/DF) against that of decision feedback equalization (DFE) and discrete-time peak detection (DPD). The authors begin with a description of the specific forms of FDTS/DF, DFE, and DPD, particularly the respective equalizer design used in this experiment. The data collection system is then described. Error rates from actual disk data are compared with those predicted by measuring the channel step response and assuming linear superposition holds. Error rate measurements were performed on pseudo-random (2,7) run-length-limited data stored on thin-film media at a density of 2.1 bits/PW50. The error rate for FDTS/DF was 30 times better than that of DPD and nearly 175 times better than that of DFE