Medium dependent write equalization

A medium dependent write equalization method, comprising:

• identifying a trait of a magnetic medium;
• generating a write signal for a stream of write data;
• generating, for the write data, a write equalization signal having a characteristic defined, at least in part, according to the trait of the magnetic medium;
• combining the equalization signal with the write signal;
• and
• utilizing the combined signal to encode a representation of the write data on the magnetic medium.

A computer readable medium having instructions for:

• identifying a trait of a magnetic medium;
• generating a write signal for a stream of write data;
• generating, for the write data, a write equalization signal having a characteristic defined, at least in part, according to the trait of the magnetic medium;
• combining the equalization signal with the write signal;
• and
• utilizing the combined signal to encode a representation of the write data on the magnetic medium.

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