92 research outputs found
CHANNEL CODING TECHNIQUES FOR A MULTIPLE TRACK DIGITAL MAGNETIC RECORDING SYSTEM
In magnetic recording greater area) bit packing densities are achieved through increasing
track density by reducing space between and width of the recording tracks, and/or
reducing the wavelength of the recorded information. This leads to the requirement of
higher precision tape transport mechanisms and dedicated coding circuitry.
A TMS320 10 digital signal processor is applied to a standard low-cost, low precision,
multiple-track, compact cassette tape recording system. Advanced signal processing and
coding techniques are employed to maximise recording density and to compensate for
the mechanical deficiencies of this system. Parallel software encoding/decoding
algorithms have been developed for several Run-Length Limited modulation codes. The
results for a peak detection system show that Bi-Phase L code can be reliably employed
up to a data rate of 5kbits/second/track. Development of a second system employing a
TMS32025 and sampling detection permitted the utilisation of adaptive equalisation to
slim the readback pulse. Application of conventional read equalisation techniques, that
oppose inter-symbol interference, resulted in a 30% increase in performance.
Further investigation shows that greater linear recording densities can be achieved by
employing Partial Response signalling and Maximum Likelihood Detection. Partial
response signalling schemes use controlled inter-symbol interference to increase
recording density at the expense of a multi-level read back waveform which results in an
increased noise penalty. Maximum Likelihood Sequence detection employs soft
decisions on the readback waveform to recover this loss. The associated modulation
coding techniques required for optimised operation of such a system are discussed.
Two-dimensional run-length-limited (d, ky) modulation codes provide a further means of
increasing storage capacity in multi-track recording systems. For example the code rate
of a single track run length-limited code with constraints (1, 3), such as Miller code, can
be increased by over 25% when using a 4-track two-dimensional code with the same d
constraint and with the k constraint satisfied across a number of parallel channels. The k
constraint along an individual track, kx, can be increased without loss of clock
synchronisation since the clocking information derived by frequent signal transitions
can be sub-divided across a number of, y, parallel tracks in terms of a ky constraint. This
permits more code words to be generated for a given (d, k) constraint in two dimensions
than is possible in one dimension. This coding technique is furthered by development of
a reverse enumeration scheme based on the trellis description of the (d, ky) constraints.
The application of a two-dimensional code to a high linear density system employing
extended class IV partial response signalling and maximum likelihood detection is
proposed. Finally, additional coding constraints to improve spectral response and error
performance are discussed.Hewlett Packard, Computer Peripherals Division (Bristol
Available Techniques for Magnetic Hard Disk Drive Read Channel Equalization
This paper presents an extensive, non-exhaustive, study of available hard disk drive read channel equalization techniques used in the storage and readback of magnetically stored information. The physical elements and basic principles of the storage processes are introduced together with the basic theoretical definitions and models. Both read and write processes in magnetic storage are explained along with the definition of simple key concepts such as user bit density, intersymbol interference, linear and areal density, read head pulse response models, and coding algorithm
Equalization in hard disk drive read channels
This paper presents a comprehensive non-exhaustive comparative study of hard disk drive read-channel equalization techniques used in the readback process of magnetically stored information. The main read channel architectures: partial-response maximum likelihood (PRML) and decision feedback equalization (DFE) based systems, are compared in power consumption, layout area, data signalling rate and data density. This work focuses on the key component of the read channel, presenting a continuous-time analog solution for the pulse-slimming equalizer capable of reducing power consumption and die area by a factor of ten, whilst showing equivalent response to a FIR filter implementation.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio
Equalization in hard disk drive read channels
This paper presents a comprehensive non-exhaustive comparative study of hard disk drive read-channel equalization techniques used in the readback process of magnetically stored information. The main read channel architectures: partial-response maximum likelihood (PRML) and decision feedback equalization (DFE) based systems, are compared in power consumption, layout area, data signalling rate and data density. This work focuses on the key component of the read channel, presenting a continuous-time analog solution for the pulse-slimming equalizer capable of reducing power consumption and die area by a factor of ten, whilst showing equivalent response to a FIR filter implementation
Design of adaptive analog filters for magnetic front-end read channels
Esta tese estuda o projecto e o comportamento de filtros em tempo contínuo de
muito-alta-frequência. A motivação deste trabalho foi a investigação de soluções de filtragem
para canais de leitura em sistemas de gravação e reprodução de dados em suporte
magnético, com custos e consumo (tamanho total inferior a 1 mm2 e consumo inferior a
1mW/polo), inferiores aos circuitos existentes. Nesse sentido, tal como foi feito neste
trabalho, o rápido desenvolvimento das tecnologias de microelectrónica suscitou esforços
muito significativos a nível mundial com o objectivo de se investigarem novas técnicas
de realização de filtros em circuito integrado monolítico, especialmente em tecnologia
CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor). Apresenta-se um estudo comparativo
a diversos níveis hierárquicos do projecto, que conduziu à realização e caracterização
de soluções com as características desejadas.
Num primeiro nível, este estudo aborda a questão conceptual da gravação e transmissão
de sinal bem como a escolha de bons modelos matemáticos para o tratamento da
informação e a minimização de erro inerente às aproximações na conformidade aos princípios
físicos dos dispositivos caracterizados.
O trabalho principal da tese é focado nos níveis hierárquicos da arquitectura do
canal de leitura e da realização em circuito integrado do seu bloco principal – o bloco de
filtragem. Ao nível da arquitectura do canal de leitura, apresenta-se um estudo alargado
sobre as metodologias existentes de adaptação de sinal e recuperação de dados em suporte
magnético. Este desígnio aparece no âmbito da proposta de uma solução de baixo custo,
baixo consumo, baixa tensão de alimentação e baixa complexidade, alicerçada em tecnologia
digital CMOS, para a realização de um sistema DFE (Decision Feedback Equalization)
com base na igualização de sinal utilizando filtros integrados analógicos em tempo
contínuo.
Ao nível do projecto de realização do bloco de filtragem e das técnicas de implementação
de filtros e dos seus blocos constituintes em circuito integrado, concluiu-se que
a técnica baseada em circuitos de transcondutância e condensadores, também conhecida como filtros gm-C (ou transcondutância-C), é a mais adequada para a realização de filtros
adaptativos em muito-alta-frequência. Definiram-se neste nível hierárquico mais baixo,
dois subníveis de aprofundamento do estudo no âmbito desta tese, nomeadamente: a pesquisa
e análise de estruturas ideais no projecto de filtros recorrendo a representações no
espaço de estados; e, o estudo de técnicas de realização em tecnologia digital CMOS de
circuitos de transcondutância para a implementação de filtros integrados analógicos em
tempo contínuo.
Na sequência deste estudo, apresentam-se e comparam-se duas estruturas de filtros
no espaço de estados, correspondentes a duas soluções alternativas para a realização de
um igualador adaptativo realizado por um filtro contínuo passa-tudo de terceira ordem,
para utilização num canal de leitura de dados em suporte magnético.
Como parte constituinte destes filtros, apresenta-se uma técnica de realização de
circuitos de transcondutância, e de realização de condensadores lineares usando matrizes
de transístores MOSFET para processamento de sinal em muito-alta-frequência realizada
em circuito integrado usando tecnologia digital CMOS submicrométrica. Apresentam-se
métodos de adaptação automática capazes de compensar os erros face aos valores nominais
dos componentes, devidos às tolerâncias inerentes ao processo de fabrico, para os
quais apresentamos os resultados de simulação e de medição experimental obtidos.
Na sequência deste estudo, resultou igualmente a apresentação de um circuito passível
de constituir uma solução para o controlo de posicionamento da cabeça de leitura
em sistemas de gravação/reprodução de dados em suporte magnético. O bloco proposto
é um filtro adaptativo de primeira ordem, com base nos mesmos circuitos de transcondutância
e técnicas de igualação propostos e utilizados na implementação do filtro adaptativo
de igualação do canal de leitura.
Este bloco de filtragem foi projectado e incluído num circuito integrado (Jaguar) de
controlo de posicionamento da cabeça de leitura realizado para a empresa ATMEL em
Colorado Springs, e incluído num produto comercial em parceria com uma empresa escocesa
utilizado em discos rígidos amovíveis.This thesis studies the design and behavior of continuous-time very-high-frequency
filters. The motivation of this work was the search for filtering solutions for the readchannel
in recording and reproduction of data on magnetic media systems, with costs and
consumption (total size less than 1 mm2 and consumption under 1mW/pole), lower than
the available circuits. Accordingly, as was done in this work, the rapid development of
microelectronics technology raised very significant efforts worldwide in order to investigate
new techniques for implementing such filters in monolithic integrated circuit, especially
in CMOS technology (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor). We present
a comparative study on different hierarchical levels of the project, which led to the realization
and characterization of solutions with the desired characteristics.
In the first level, this study addresses the conceptual question of recording and
transmission of signal and the choice of good mathematical models for the processing of
information and minimization of error inherent in the approaches and in accordance with
the principles of the characterized physical devices.
The main work of this thesis is focused on the hierarchical levels of the architecture
of the read channel and the integrated circuit implementation of its main block - the filtering
block. At the architecture level of the read channel this work presents a comprehensive
study on existing methodologies of adaptation and signal recovery of data on
magnetic media. This project appears in the sequence of the proposed solution for a lowcost,
low consumption, low voltage, low complexity, using CMOS digital technology for
the performance of a DFE (Decision Feedback Equalization) based on the equalization of
the signal using integrated analog filters in continuous time.
At the project level of implementation of the filtering block and techniques for implementing
filters and its building components, it was concluded that the technique based
on transconductance circuits and capacitors, also known as gm-C filters is the most appropriate
for the implementation of very-high-frequency adaptive filters. We defined in
this lower level, two sub-levels of depth study for this thesis, namely: research and analysis
of optimal structures for the design of state-space filters, and the study of techniques for the design of transconductance cells in digital CMOS circuits for the implementation
of continuous time integrated analog filters.
Following this study, we present and compare two filtering structures operating in
the space of states, corresponding to two alternatives for achieving a realization of an
adaptive equalizer by the use of a continuous-time third order allpass filter, as part of a
read-channel for magnetic media devices.
As a constituent part of these filters, we present a technique for the realization of
transconductance circuits and for the implementation of linear capacitors using arrays of
MOSFET transistors for signal processing in very-high-frequency integrated circuits using
sub-micrometric CMOS technology. We present methods capable of automatic adjustment
and compensation for deviation errors in respect to the nominal values of the
components inherent to the tolerances of the fabrication process, for which we present
the simulation and experimental measurement results obtained.
Also as a result of this study, is the presentation of a circuit that provides a solution
for the control of the head positioning on recording/playback systems of data on magnetic
media. The proposed block is an adaptive first-order filter, based on the same transconductance
circuits and equalization techniques proposed and used in the implementation
of the adaptive filter for the equalization of the read channel.
This filter was designed and included in an integrated circuit (Jaguar) used to control
the positioning of the read-head done for ATMEL company in Colorado Springs, and
part of a commercial product used in removable hard drives fabricated in partnership with a Scottish company
REAL TIME MICROPROCESSOR TECHNIQUES FOR A DIGITAL MULTITRACK TAPE RECORDER
Transport properties of a standard compact - cassette tape
system are measured and software techniques devised to configure
a low - cost,direct digital recording system.
Tape - velocity variation is typically ± 10% of standard speed
over tape lengths of 5 µm.with occasional variations of ±40%.
Static tape - skew can result due to axial movement of the tape
reel when it spools.Dynamic tape skew occurs and is primarily
caused by tape - edge curvature with a constant contribution
due to the transport mechanism.Spectral skew components range
from 0.32 Hz to 8 Hz with magnitude normally within one 10 kbit/
sec- bit cell.The pinch roller works against the friction of the
tape guides to cause tape deformation.Average values of tape
deformation are 0.67 µm,0.85 µm and 1.08 µm for C60,C90 and
C120 tape respectively.
Parallel,software encoding / decoding algorithms have been
developed for several channel codes.Adaptive software methods
permit track data rates up to 3.33 k bits/sec in a rnultitrack
system using a simple microcomputer.For a 4 - track system,raw
error rates vary from 10ˉ⁷ at 500 bits/sec/track to 10ˉ⁵ at 3.33
kbits/sec/track.Adaptive software reduces skew - induced errors
by 50%.A skew - correction technique has been developed and
implemented on an 8 - track system at a track data rate of 10 k
bits/sec.
Real - time error correction gives a theoretical corrected
error rate of 10ˉ¹¹for a raw error rate of 10ˉ⁷. Multiple track
errors can cause mis - correction and interleaving is advised.
Software algorithms have been devised for Reed - Solomon code.
With a more powerful microprocessor this code m ay be combined
with the above techniques in a layered error-correction scheme.
The software techniques developed may be applied to N tracks
with an N - bit computer.Recording density may be increased by
using thin - film,multitrack heads and a faster computer.British Broadcasting Corporatio
Multiple Track Performance of a Digital Magnetic Tape System : Experimental Study and Simulation using Parallel Processing Techniques
The primary aim of the magnetic recording industry is to
increase storage capacities and transfer rates whilst maintaining or
reducing costs. In multiple-track tape systems, as recorded track
dimensions decrease, higher precision tape transport mechanisms and
dedicated coding circuitry are required. This leads to increased
manufacturing costs and a loss of flexibility. This thesis reports on
the performance of a low precision low-cost multiple-track tape
transport system. Software based techniques to study system
performance, and to compensate for the mechanical deficiencies of
this system were developed using occam and the transputer.
The inherent parallelism of the multiple-track format was
exploited by integrating a transputer into the recording channel
to perform the signal processing tasks. An innovative model of the
recording channel, written exclusively in occam, was developed.
The effect of parameters, such as data rate, track dimensions and
head misregistration on system performance was determined from the
detailed error profile produced. This model may be run on
a network of transputers, allowing its speed of execution to be
scaled to suit the investigation. These features, combined with its
modular flexibility makes it a powerful tool that may be applied to
other multiple-track systems, such as digital HDTV.
A greater understanding of the effects of mechanical
deficiencies on the performance of multiple-track systems was gained
from this study. This led to the development of a software based
compensation scheme to reduce the effects of Lateral Head
Displacement and allow low-cost tape transport mechanisms to be used
with narrow, closely spaced tracks, facilitating higher packing
densities.
The experimental and simulated investigation of system
performance, the development of the model and compensation scheme
using parallel processing techniques has led to the publication of a
paper and two further publications are expected.Thorn EMI,
Central Research Laboratories,
Hayes, Middlese
RAPID CLOCK RECOVERY ALGORITHMS FOR DIGITAL MAGNETIC RECORDING AND DATA COMMUNICATIONS
SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:DXN024293 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo
An Adaptive Partial Response Data Channel for Hard Disk Magnetic Recording
An adaptive data channel is proposed which is better able to deal with the variations in
performance typically found in the recording components of a hard disk drive. Three such
categories of variation were investigated in order to gain an understanding of their relative
and absolute significance; variations over radius, along the track length, and between
different head / media pairs. The variations were characterised in terms of their effects on
the step-response pulse width and signal-to-noise ratio. It was found that in each of the
categories investigated, significant variations could be found in both longitudinal and
perpendicular recording systems which, with the exception of radial variations, were nondeterministic
over different head / media pairs but were deterministic for any particular head
/ media pair characterised.
Conventional data channel design assumes such variations are non-deterministic and is
therefore designed to provide the minimum error rate performance for the worst case
expected recording performance within the range of accepted manufacturing tolerance. The
proposed adaptive channel works on the principle that once a particular set of recording
components are assembled into the disk drive, such variations become deterministic if they
are able to be characterised. Such ability is facilitated by the recent introduction of partial
response signalling to hard disk magnetic recording which brings with it the discrete-time
sampler and the ability of the microprocessor to analyse signals digitally much more easily
than analogue domain alternatives.
Simple methods of measuring the step-response pulse width and signal to noise ratio with
the partial response channel's electronic components are presented. The expected error rate
as a function of recording density and signal to noise ratio is derived experimentally for the
PR4 and EPR4 classes of partial response. On the basis of this information and the
recording performance it has measured, the adaptive channel is able to implement either
PR4 or EPR4 signalling and at any data rate. The capacity advantage over the non-adaptive
approach is investigated for the variables previously identified. It is concluded on the basis
of this investigation that the proposed adaptive channel could provide significant
manufacturing yield and capacity advantages over the non-adaptive approach for a modest
increase in electronic complexity
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