Write Channel Model for Bit-Patterned Media Recording

We propose a new write channel model for bit-patterned media recording that reflects the data dependence of write synchronization errors. It is shown that this model accommodates both substitution-like errors and insertion-deletion errors whose statistics are determined by an underlying channel state process. We study information theoretic properties of the write channel model, including the capacity, symmetric information rate, Markov-1 rate and the zero-error capacity.Comment: 11 pages, 12 figures, journa

Two dimensional signal processing for storage channels

Over the past decade, storage channels have undergone a steady increase in capacity. With the prediction of achieving 10 Tb/in2 areal density for magnetic recording channels in sight, the industry is pushing towards di erent technologies for storage channels. Heat-assisted magnetic recording, bit-patterned media, and twodimensional magnetic recording (TDMR) are cited as viable alternative technologies to meet the increasing market demand. Among these technologies, the twodimensional magnetic recording channel has the advantage of using conventional medium while relying on improvement from signal processing. Capacity approaching codes and detection methods tailored to the magnetic recording channels are the main signal processing tools used in magnetic recording. The promise is that two-dimensional signal processing will play a role in bringing about the theoretical predictions. The main challenges in TDMR media are as follows: i) the small area allocated to each bit on the media, and the sophisticated read and write processes in shingled magnetic recording devices result in signi cant amount of noise, ii) the twodimensional inter-symbol interference is intrinsic to the nature of shingled magnetic recording. Thus, a feasible two-dimensional communication system is needed to combat the errors that arise from aggressive read and write processes. In this dissertation, we present some of the work done on signal processing aspect for storage channels. We discuss i) the nano-scale model of the storage channel, ii) noise characteristics and corresponding detection strategies, iii) two-dimensional signal processing targeted at shingled magnetic recording

Advances in Modeling and Signal Processing for Bit-Patterned Magnetic Recording Channels with Written-In Errors

In the past perpendicular magnetic recording on continuous media has served as the storage mechanism for the hard-disk drive (HDD) industry, allowing for growth in areal densities approaching 0.5 Tb/in2. Under the current system design, further increases are limited by the superparamagnetic effect where the medium's thermal energy destabilizes the individual bit domains used for storage. In order to provide for future growth in the area of magnetic recording for disk drives, a number of various technology shifts have been proposed and are currently undergoing considerable research. One promising option involves switching to a discrete medium in the form of individual bit islands, termed bit-patterned magnetic recording (BPMR).When switching from a continuous to a discrete media, the problems encountered become substantial for every aspect of the hard-disk drive design. In this dissertation the complications in modeling and signal processing for bit-patterned magnetic recording are investigated where the write and read processes along with the channel characteristics present considerable challenges. For a target areal density of 4 Tb/in2, the storage process is hindered by media noise, two-dimensional (2D) intersymbol interference (ISI), electronics noise and written-in errors introduced during the write process. Thus there is a strong possibility that BPMR may prove intractable as a future HDD technology at high areal densities because the combined negative effects of the many error sources produces an environment where current signal processing techniques cannot accurately recover the stored data. The purpose here is to exploit advanced methods of detection and error correction to show that data can be effectively recovered from a BPMR channel in the presence of multiple error sources at high areal densities.First a practical model for the readback response of an individual island is established that is capable of representing its 2D nature with a Gaussian pulse. Various characteristics of the readback pulse are shown to emerge as it is subjected to the degradation of 2D media noise. The writing of the bits within a track is also investigated with an emphasis on the write process's ability to inject written-in errors in the data stream resulting from both a loss of synchronization of the write clock and the interaction of the local-scale magnetic fields under the influence of the applied write field.To facilitate data recovery in the presence of BPMR's major degradations, various detection and error-correction methods are utilized. For single-track equalization of the channel output, noise prediction is incorporated to assist detection with increased levels of media noise. With large detrimental amounts of 2D ISI and media noise present in the channel at high areal densities, a 2D approach known as multi-track detection is investigated where multiple tracks are sensed by the read heads and then used to extract information on the target track. For BPMR the output of the detector still possesses the uncorrected written-in errors. Powerful error-correction codes based on finite geometries are employed to help recover the original data stream. Increased error-correction is sought by utilizing two-fold EG codes in combination with a form of automorphism decoding known as auto-diversity. Modifications to the parity-check matrices of the error-correction codes are also investigated for the purpose of attempting more practical applications of the decoding algorithms based on belief propagation. Under the proposed techniques it is shown that effective data recovery is possible at an areal density of 4 Tb/in2 in the presence of all significant error sources except for insertions and deletions. Data recovery from the BPMR channel with insertions and deletions remains an open problem

Towards Tamper-Evident Storage on Patterned Media

We propose a tamper-evident storage system based on probe storage with a patterned magnetic medium. This medium supports normal read/write operations by out-of-plane magnetisation of individual magnetic dots. We report on measurements showing that in principle the medium also supports a separate class of write-once operation that destroys the out-of-plane magnetisation property of the dots irreversibly by precise local heating. We discuss the main issues of designing a tamper-evident storage device and file system using the properties of the medium