Abstract: Channel information and channel conditions that are determined by an Offline Tracking process are used to determine whether or not an adjustment to the read reference voltage can be avoided altogether without detrimentally affecting performance, or, alternatively, to determine a precision with which a read reference voltage adjustment should be made. If it is determined based on the channel conditions that a read reference voltage adjustment can be avoided altogether, read performance is improved by reducing the probability that a read reference voltage adjustment needs to be made during normal read operations. If it is determined based on the channel conditions that a read reference voltage adjustment needs to be made with a particular precision, the read reference voltage is adjusted with that precision.

Abstract: Cross-points of flash memory cell voltage distributions are determined by reading data from a portion of the flash memory two or more times using two or more different candidate reference voltages and determining corresponding decision patterns. The frequency of occurrence of the decision patterns in the data read from the flash memory is used to conceptually construct a histogram. The histogram is used to estimate the cross-points. Employing decision patterns enables multiple cross-point voltages to be determined with a minimum of read operations.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for recovering data from a multi-channel input signal, such as but not limited to a readback signal from a bit patterned medium (BPM) having a plurality of subtracks. In accordance with some embodiments, a single input single output (SISO) equalizer is adapted to generate equalized outputs responsive to alternating subchannels of the multi-channel input signal. A detector is adapted to generate estimates of data symbols represented by the input signal responsive to the equalized outputs. A switching circuit is adapted to switch in different equalizer coefficients for use by the SISO equalizer for each of the alternating subchannels in the input signal.

Abstract: Detecting track information involves receiving first and second overlapping track signals from first and second read elements that read first and second tracks from a data storage medium. Information of the first and second tracks is estimated using the respective first and second track signals. An improved information estimate of the first track is obtained using the first track signal and the estimated information of the second track, and an improved information estimate of the second track is obtained using the second track signal and the estimated information of the first track. First and second track data are decoded using the respective improved information estimates of the first and second tracks.

Abstract: An equalizer employed in conjunction with bit-patterned media (BPM) is designed to take advantage of a common topology associated with BPM in which each data track is comprised of a plurality of sub-tracks. The equalizer-target filter pair is designed as multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) system, in which the readback signal is divided into readback signals associated with each sub-track. The MIMO equalizer takes into account differences in the channel response associated with each sub-track. A detector is configured to receive a plurality of equalized inputs provided by the MIMO equalizer, wherein the detector generates in response estimates of the user data stored on each of the plurality of sub-tracks.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a storage device includes a data storage medium and a read/write circuit coupled the data storage medium via a communication channel. The read/write circuit includes a formatter circuit to receive a read back signal related to data stored on the data storage medium and to produce an output vector related to the read back signal. The read/write circuit further includes a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) equalizer coupled to the formatter circuit and adapted to generate an equalized output vector related to the output vector. The read/write circuit also includes a MIMO detector coupled to the MIMO equalizer and adapted to generate hard bit decisions based on the equalized output vector.

Abstract: A method includes: producing a bit detection signal in response to a plurality of islands located in a plurality of zones of a bit patterned media, processing the bit detection signal to produce a synchronization signal, wherein the processing is dependent on characteristics of the islands in the zone containing the plurality of islands, and using the synchronization signal to control timing of writing to the bit patterned media. The synchronization signal can also be used to control timing of reading from the bit patterned media.

Abstract: An equalizer employed in conjunction with bit-patterned media (BPM) is designed to take advantage of a common topology associated with BPM in which each data track is comprised of a plurality of sub-tracks. The equalizer-target filter pair is designed as multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) system, in which the readback signal is divided into readback signals associated with each sub-track. The MIMO equalizer takes into account differences in the channel response associated with each sub-track. A detector is configured to receive a plurality of equalized inputs provided by the MIMO equalizer, wherein the detector generates in response estimates of the user data stored on each of the plurality of sub-tracks.

Abstract: A method includes: producing a bit detection signal in response to a plurality of islands located in a plurality of zones of a bit patterned media, processing the bit detection signal to produce a synchronization signal, wherein the processing is dependent on characteristics of the islands in the zone containing the plurality of islands, and using the synchronization signal to control timing of writing to the bit patterned media. The synchronization signal can also be used to control timing of reading from the bit patterned media.