List Viterbi decoding with continuous error detection for magnetic recording

The list Viterbi algorithm (LVA) with an arithmetic coding based continuous error detection (CED) scheme is applied to high-order partial-response magnetic recording channels. Commonly used magnetic recording systems employ distance-enhancing codes along with parity-check post-processors to correct most dominant error events. The system presented here inserts a CED encoder between the outer Reed-Solomon (RS) code and the channel, and utilizes LVA along with CED´s error detection capabilities to improve the performance of the Viterbi decoder. Simulations show that this system results in a 2 dB improvement over MTR encoded EEPRML decoding at a BER of 2/spl times/10/sup -6/ in additive white Gaussian noise and localizes error occurrences to the end of the sector.