Abstract: A Viterbi decoder identifies errors in an early decision output and includes an early decision generator that generates the early decision output. A full decision generator generates a full decision output. An error detector detects errors in the early decision output and generates a disable signal. A secondary early decision generator generates a secondary early decision output. The error detector includes a comparing circuit that disables a prior early decision output if the secondary early decision output is different than the prior early decision output. Alternately, a best path flag generator generates a best path flag when the Viterbi decoder identifies two best paths having the same path metric. A comparing circuit disables the early decision output if a prior secondary early decision output is different than the early decision output, the best path flag is true and a prior best path flag is true.

Abstract: An encoder encodes a communication signal including a precorder that precodes portions of the communication signal. The portions comprise a plurality of bits. A buffer buffers said portions. A DC tracking device modulates a flip signal based on a comparison of a DC value of one of the portions of the communication signal and a weighted average DC value of a plurality of previous portions of the communication signal. A flip device selectively flips said portions based on the flip signal.

Abstract: A signal detector to detect symbols in a read back signal. The signal detector includes a first detector to generate raw decisions as a function of the read back signal. A post processor identifies possible defects in the raw decisions. A selector selects a portion of the possible defects and generates modified decisions based upon correcting the portion of the possible defects. At least one signal decoder generates final decisions as a function of the modified and raw decisions. A decision block returns control to the selector in response to detecting excess errors in the final decisions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus reduces a DC level of an input word. The input word is divided into a plurality of components that include n symbols. The n symbols of the components are summed for each component. The component is encoded into a substitute component if a sum for the component exceeds a threshold. The components having a sum that does exceed the threshold are combined with at least one substitute component into an output word. An output word template is selected based on a number of substitute components and on a position that the substitute components originally occupied in the input word. The substitute components are inserted in the output word template. The components that have a sum that does not exceed the threshold are inserted in the output word template. Address and indicator symbols are inserted in the output word.

Abstract: An encoder encoding a communication signal includes a first precoder to precode the communication signal. A signal buffer buffers a first signal associated with the communication signal. A DC tracking block generates a flip signal as function of a statistical measure of the precoded communication signal. The flip signal has a flip state and a nonflip state. A flip unit, responsive to the flip signal, flips an output of the signal buffer such that an average DC value of the precoded communication signal approaches zero.

Abstract: A method uses an outer code that is a concatenation of code words generated by a parity check encoder. The outer code word is permuted by an interleaver. The high rate coding provides good performance with a simple structure. An odd parity check bit is generated for each data word of received systematic dates. Code words are formed by adding a generated parity bit to each data word. Groups of code words are permuted to form encoded input for transmission in a communication channel. The invention further includes encoding to maintain a runlength-limiting (RLL) constraint at the channel input. Interleaved runlength encoded system data is used to generate error code bits. Insertion of error code bits in the system data at the channel input is controlled. This guarantees that the channel input stream comprised of the runlength-limited system data and inserted error code bits meets the runlength constraints.

Abstract: A method uses an outer code that is a concatenation of code words generated by a parity check encoder. The outer code word is permuted by an interleaver. The high rate coding provides good performance with a simple structure. An odd parity check bit is generated for each data word of received systematic dates. Code words are formed by adding a generated parity bit to each data word. Groups of code words are permuted to form encoded input for transmission in a communication channel. The invention further includes encoding to maintain a runlength-limiting (RLL) constraint at the channel input. Interleaved runlength encoded system data is used to generate error code bits. Insertion of error code bits in the system data at the channel input is controlled. This guarantees that the channel input stream comprised of the runlength-limited system data and inserted error code bits meets the runlength constraints.

Abstract: A method and apparatus reduces a DC level of an input word. The input word is divided into a plurality of components that include n symbols. The n symbols of the components are summed for each component. The component is encoded into a substitute component if a sum for the component exceeds a threshold. The components having a sum that does exceed the threshold are combined with at least one substitute component into an output word. An output word template is selected based on a number of substitute components and on a position that the substitute components originally occupied in the input word. The substitute components are inserted in the output word template. The components that have a sum that does not exceed the threshold are inserted in the output word template. Address and indicator symbols are inserted in the output word.