Joint Multi-Level Readback for Array-Reader based Interlaced Magnetic Recording

Abstract

In this study, a novel joint multi-track multi-level (MTML) read channel signal processing scheme is proposed to enhance the data transfer rate in an array-reader-based interlaced magnetic recording (ARIMR). Wide individual readers capture mixtures of multiple track contributions and proposed MTML read channel effectively disaggregates individual track data for joint track data retrieval in a single revolution. Numerical evaluations with the micro-pixelated magnetic channel model shows improvements of the cross-track profile of bit error rate with the proposed MTML-ARIMR approach for a dual-reader and triple-track readback configuration.