Read channel averaging

An apparatus, comprising:

• a read channel coupled to a head, wherein
• said read channel includes a detector,
• said read channel includes an averaging circuit having a buffer and averaging logic,
• said read channel includes a finite impulse filter directly coupled to said averaging circuit,
• said buffer is operable to store read data, wherein said read data comprises a same data being read using said head multiple times at different times,
• said averaging logic is operable to average said read data,
• said averaging circuit is directly coupled to said detector in an open-ended arrangement operable to provide an average of said data to said detector, and
• said detector provides a maximum likelihood detection of said averaged data;
• an actuator arm coupled to said head;
• and
• a controller coupled to said read channel.