System for reproducing high-density magnetic record data with viterbi detector for generating quadripartite reproduction data

A data reproducing integrated circuit formed on a single semiconductor substrate, comprising:

• an input terminal for inputting an analog signal read from a recording medium on which signals are recorded using a partial response method;
• analog-to-digital conversion means for converting the analog signal input to said input terminal into a corresponding digital signal at given time intervals;
• means for equalizing the digital signal provided by said analog-to digital conversion means according to an equalization characteristic corresponding to the partial response method;
• Viterbi detection means for performing Viterbi detection of an output signal received from said equalization means for generating quadripartite reproduction data;
• data conversion means for converting the quadripartite reproduction data output from said Viterbi detection means into binary reproduction data according to a predetermined rule;
• and
• an output terminal for outputting the binary reproduction data.

A data reproducing method using a partial response method for reproducing data recorded on a recording medium, said method comprising the steps of:

• reading data recorded on the recording medium through a head;
• converting the read analog signal into a corresponding digital signal;
• filtering the digital signal according to an equalization characteristic corresponding to the partial response method;
• performing Viterbi detection of the filtered signal for generating quadripartite reproduction data;
• detecting one of a limited number of predetermined reproduction data patterns having a high probability of being erroneously reproduced from among data patterns contained in the quadripartite reproduction data;
• correcting the detected reproduction data pattern to a correct reproduction data pattern predetermined corresponding to the reproduction data pattern;
• and
• providing final binary reproduction data from the quadripartite reproduction data containing the corrected reproduction data pattern.