Timing sensitivity in discrete-time equalization [magnetic recording channels]

In digital channels, pulse shaping is achieved by passing readback samples through a discrete-time filter called the equalizer, which is typically implemented using a finite impulse response (FIR) filter consisting of taps and delays. Under the finite-complexity constraint, the equalizer performance is a highly sensitive function of timing phase. The author investigates the performance of different equalization schemes suitable for high density magnetic recording, in partial response linear equalization and feedback equalization, as a function of static sampling phase and of equalizer complexity