Multichannel digital recording system with multi-user detection
AssigneeBAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
InventorsKarl D. Brommer, Robert B. MacLeod, Michael P. Schmidt
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Abstract
A processing scheme for digital storage media using multi-user detection to separate tracks of data or remove interference from neighboring tracks. In one embodiment, data is written on a plurality of tracks positioned sufficiently close together so that multiple tracks are detected simultaneously by the read access sensor. Upon scanning the surface for data, the read element simultaneously receives the data signals from a plurality of tracks. Joint detection signal processing resolves the interference and data bits from the multiple sensed tracks, enabling closer packing of data with minimal guard space.
Claims43
An apparatus for reading data bits from a storage medium using multi-user detection, comprising:
- a plurality of tracks wherein said data bits reside within a plurality of storage cells on said tracks;
- at least one read element simultaneously detecting a plurality of said tracks and converting said data bits into a plurality of electrical signals;
- a front end unit processing said electrical signals and converting said electrical signals into a plurality of digital bits;
- a parameter estimator coupled to said front end unit for identifying a track transfer function for said plurality of tracks;
- and
- a multi-user detector coupled to said parameter estimator and said front end unit for separating said tracks and reading said data bits.
A method for processing data bits of a storage medium, comprising the steps of:
- reading a plurality of analog signals corresponding to said data bits from a main track and adjacent tracks of said storage medium;
- digitizing said analog signals into digital data;
- generating a track transfer function of said digital data;
- and
- demodulating said digital data.
A system for reading data from a storage medium, comprising:
- a storage surface on said storage medium having encoded data bits defined by in-track spacing and cross-track spacing, wherein said encoded data bits are stored in a plurality of data tracks;
- a means for positioning a read element over said storage surface, wherein said read element simultaneously detects said encoded data bits from one or more adjacent tracks;
- a means for conditioning said encoded data bits from said read element;
- and
- a means for demodulating said encoded data bits from said adjacent tracks.
An apparatus for reading and writing digital data, comprising:
- a storage medium wherein said digital data is represented by a plurality of storage cells on a plurality of tracks, each of said storage cells having an in-track spacing and a cross-track spacing;
- a read sensor oriented to capture at least one storage cell from at least one track;
- a write element oriented to write to a storage cell;
- a servo system coupled to said read element, said write element and said storage medium;
- a system controller coupled to said servo system;
- and
- a signal conditioner coupled to said read element, wherein said signal conditioner comprises a front end unit, a parameter estimator, and a joint detector for processing said data bits from said at least one track.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.