Pattern dependent write equalization

A pattern dependent write equalization method, comprising:

• identifying a first trait of a first data pattern in a stream of write data;
• identifying a second trait of a second data pattern in a stream of write data;
• and
• generating a write equalization signal having a first characteristic defined according to the first trait for the first data pattern and a second characteristic defined according to the second trait of the second data pattern.

A computer readable medium having computer executable instructions for:

• identifying a first trait of a first data pattern in a stream of write data;
• identifying a second trait of a second data pattern in a stream of write data;
• and
• generating a write equalization signal having a first characteristic defined according to the first trait for the first data pattern and a second characteristic defined according to the second trait of the second data pattern.

A write channel for a magnetic storage device having a write head, the write channel comprising:

• a write signal engine operable to generate a write signal corresponding to a stream of write data;
• an equalization engine operable to identify a trait of a data pattern in the stream of write data and to generate an equalization signal having a characteristic defined according to the identified trait for the data pattern;
• and
• a multiplexer operable to combine the write equalization signal with the write signal, the combined signal to be used by the write head to encode the write data on a magnetic medium.

A magnetic media drive, comprising:

• a write channel comprising a write signal engine operable to generate a write signal corresponding to a stream of write data, an equalization engine operable to identify a trait of a data pattern in the stream of write data and to generate a write equalization signal having a characteristic defined according to the identified trait for the data pattern, and a multiplexer operable to combine the write equalization signal with the write signal;
• a tape take-up reel;
• a write head in communication with the write channel and positionable adjacent to a tape path extending past the write head to the take-up reel, the write head operable to utilize the combined signal from the write channel to encode the write data on a magnetic medium traveling along the tape path;
• and
• an electronic controller configured to receive write instructions and the write data from a computer or other host device and to control operation of the take-up reel, the write head, and the write channel.