Devices and methods for reading magnetic media

A method for reading data from a magnetic storage medium, the method comprising:

• reading, by a first magnetic read head, a track of the magnetic storage medium at a first position in the track and generating a first analog data signal corresponding to data read at the first position;
• reading, by a second magnetic read head, the track of the magnetic storage medium at a second position in the track and generating a second analog data signal corresponding to data read at the second position;
• and
• converting the first and second analog signals into digital data samples;
• equalizing the digital data samples to generate a plurality of equalized signals, each equalized signal being generated based on one of a plurality of coefficients, the plurality of coefficients being predetermined and associated with different lateral locations within the track;
• constructing path metrics and detecting data bits for the plurality of equalized signals;
• selecting one of the plurality of equalized signals that has a minimum path metric from the constructed path metrics;
• and
• outputting corresponding detected data bits of the selected equalized signal.

A read channel of a magnetic storage system, the read channel comprising:

• a converter to analog data signals into digital data samples, the analog data signals corresponding to data read from a track of a magnetic storage medium by at least two magnetic read heads;
• a plurality of loop equalizers to apply a plurality of coefficients to the digital data samples to generate a plurality of equalized signals, the plurality of coefficients being associated with different locations within the track;
• a plurality of detectors to construct path metrics and detect data bits for the plurality of equalized signals;
• and
• at least one selector to select one of the plurality of equalized signals that has a minimum path metric from the constructed path metrics and to output corresponding detected data bits of the selected equalized signal.