Method and apparatus for detecting valid data peaks

In a detector for detecting the receipt of signals representing alternating positive and negative valid peaks of data signals encoded in a (1,7) format wherein said data signals represent the presence of a valid data peak or absence of a valid data peak for each received signal;

• said detector comprising:
• means including a multi-stage shift register having at least six stages for receiving and storing at least six successively received signals;
• comparator means having inputs connected to each of said stages of said shift register as well as to an input of said shift register;
• said comparator means being responsive to the receipt of said at least six signals by said shift register for generating output signals indicating the relative magnitude of signals stored in different ones of said shift register stages;
• logic means having inputs connected to outputs of said comparator means;
• wherein said logic means comprises a first logic means for generating an output signal representing the receipt of a valid data peak represented by a positive binary 1 by said detector and further comprises a second logic means for generating an output signal representing the receipt of a valid data peak represented by a negative binary 1 by said detector;
• said logic means being responsive to the receipt of signals from said comparator means for generating an output signal indicating the receipt of a valid data peak or the absence of a valid data peak by said detector in response to each signal received by said detector;
• said comparator means and said logic means being effective in response to a receipt of signals by said detector when a valid data peak recorded in a first bit cell is received for enabling the detection of said valid data peak in the presence of a signal representing noise in an adjacent bit cell having an amplitude less than F where F is equal to the average peak value the amplitude of said valid data peak minus the average amplitude of an isolated pulse in an adjacent bit cell;
• said comparator means and said logic means being effective in response to a receipt of signals by said detector for bit cells not adjacent the cell where a valid data peak has been recorded for enabling the detection of a signal representing a valid data peak in the presence of a signal representing noise that is less in amplitude than the average peak value of said the amplitude of valid data peak.

A method of operating a detector for detecting the receipt by said detector of valid positive and negative peaks of data signals encoded in a (1,7) format, said method comprising the steps of:

• entering successive received signal samples into a multi-stage shift register having at least six stages;
• applying signals from each stage of said shift register to inputs of comparator and logic means;
• said comparator and logic means being responsive to the receipt of said signals from said shift register for generating an output signal indicating the presence of a valid data peak or absence of a valid data peak upon the receipt of each signal by said detector;
• said comparator and logic means being effective in response to the receipt of a signal by said detector when a valid data peak has been recorded in a first bit cell for enabling the detection of a valid data peak in adjacent bit cells in the presence of noise in an adjacent bit cell having an amplitude less than F where F is equal to the average peak value of the amplitude of said valid data peak minus the average amplitude of an isolated pulse in an adjacent bit cell;
• said logic means being effective in response to the receipt of a signal by said detector for bit cells not adjacent to the cell where a valid data peak has been recorded for enabling the detection of a valid data peak in the presence of noise whose amplitude is less than the average peak value of the amplitude of said valid data peak.