Disc file optimization

The amplitude distributions of mixtures of Gaussian and crosstalk noise, as found in a disc or tape magnetic recording drive (file), have been calculated. Methods are described for modelling the readback process to estimate its susceptibility to noise, and thus to find error rates. These techniques are used for optimizing certain aspects of the file design, and provide an approximate value for the highest achievable areal packing density at any given state of the technology.