Abstract: A method for automatically characterizing non-linearities of a perpendicular read-back signal of a recording system is disclosed. The method includes using dibit extraction to obtain a read-back signal having a main pulse and a plurality of echoes where the read-back signal exhibits a baseline shift. An area under the first echo is integrated to obtain a first area where the integrating subtracts any baseline shift area within the first echo and where the first echo is associated with a first non-linearity. The method integrates an area of the read-back signal under the main pulse to obtain a second area where the integrating subtracts any baseline shift area within the main pulse. A first parameter is computed that characterizes the first non-linearity based on the first area and the second area. The method may be applied to characterize several non-linearities.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for iteratively decoding data recorded on a data storage device. An iterative decoder decodes the data using multiple decoding iterations to correct errors. In multiple iterations of the iterative decoder, a post processing block generates soft information, and a decoder applies a minimum sum decoding algorithm to a low density parity check (LDPC) code to generate extrinsic information based on the soft information and updated soft information.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for optimizing the detector target polynomials in read/write channels to achieve the best error rate performance in recording devices. In one embodiment, a method of obtaining a detector target polynomial of a read/write channel to achieve best error rate performance in a recording device comprises: providing an initial detector target for the read/write channel; measuring a noise autocorrelation of the read/write channel at the output of equalizer using channel hardware; computing a noise autocorrelation at the output of the 1st stage target based on the measured noise autocorrelation of the read/write channel at the output of equalizer; calculating optimal coefficients for the noise whitening filter; and obtaining the optimal detector target polynomial of the read/write channel using the calculated coefficients for noise whitening filter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining sector block sizes using existing controller signals has been disclosed. The invention detects a characteristic of a data channel gate signal indicating a length of data, determines the length of data based on the detection of the characteristic, and calculates the size of a last data block in the length of data based on the determined length.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for data coding for high-density recording channels exhibiting low frequency contents is disclosed. Coding is used that satisfies both Running Digital Sum (RDS) and Maximum Transition Run (MTR) properties, which are desirable for achieving high-density recording for recording channels exhibiting low frequency components such as perpendicular magnetic recording channel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for optimizing the detector target polynomials in read/write channels to achieve the best error rate performance in recording devices. In one embodiment, a method of obtaining a detector target polynomial of a read/write channel to achieve best error rate performance in a recording device comprises: providing an initial detector target for the read/write channel; measuring a noise autocorrelation of the read/write channel at the output of equalizer using channel hardware; computing a noise autocorrelation at the output of the 1st stage target based on the measured noise autocorrelation of the read/write channel at the output of equalizer; calculating optimal coefficients for the noise whitening filter; and obtaining the optimal detector target polynomial of the read/write channel using the calculated coefficients for noise whitening filter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for data coding for high-density recording channels exhibiting low frequency contents is disclosed. Coding is used that satisfies both Running Digital Sum (RDS) and Maximum Transition Run (MTR) properties, which are desirable for achieving high-density recording for recording channels exhibiting low frequency components such as perpendicular magnetic recording channel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide optimization of read/write channels in a recording system by embedding channel optimization algorithm/procedure into the channels, or a system-on-chip (SOC) where a read/write channel is integrated with a disk drive controller, according to an Embedded Channel Optimization Solution (ECOS).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining sector block sizes using existing controller signals has been disclosed. The invention detects a characteristic of a data channel gate signal indicating a length of data, determines the length of data based on the detection of the characteristic, and calculates the size of a last data block in the length of data based on the determined length.

Abstract: The method and apparatus have application to the compensation of transient signals produced on reading a data storage device with a magneto-resistive head due to thermal contact with asperities on the data storage medium. Preferably, the data channel employs partial-response maximum-likelihood detection. The method compensates for an additive signal in a data signal and comprises the steps of: detecting the contribution to said data signal by said additive signal; initially compensating the data signal by maintaining a DC offset in said data signal, the initial level of said DC offset being set in dependence on the detected contribution; and while compensating the data signal, detecting when the compensated data signal exceeds a predetermined threshold and varying the set level of said DC offset in dependence upon said detection.