Simple detection technique for d=2 modulated optical recording channels

In this paper, we propose a simple detection scheme for a d=2 optical recording channel. The detection method employs a partial response target that introduces destructive interference, but which is effectively removed by modifications to the threshold detector. Bit error rate performance simulations based on pulses obtained from both a channel model and a real DVD system show that the new detection technique achieves 1.5-2 dB improvement over direct threshold detection following equalization to symmetric target response of memory 4. The proposed scheme performs better than Viterbi detection with an optimal partial response target of memory 4, while having a complexity comparable to that of a threshold detector