Viterbi detection analysis on RLL encoded sequences [magnetic recording applications]

This paper presents partial response equalization and detection methods, based on maximum likelihood (PRML), with the purpose of analyzing the detection process of the sequence coding function in a recording magnetic channel. A channel simulator tests equalization, detection and decoding alternatives, under channel and noise characteristic variations. The paper presents a Viterbi detector and compares its bit error rate-BER performance using random or run length limited (RLL) encoded data sequences, with the already existing solutions.