Writing and reading at high data rates

This paper describes the analysis of an MR read/write channel for high data rate magnetic recording. Using current, industrially available components, characterized to frequencies >1 GHz, data rate limiting factors such as bandwidth, write current overshoot, inadequate write field swing, write field rise time and excessive write field zero-crossing shift are investigated. From this, conclusions can be drawn about the maximum attainable data rate (in casu 16 MB/s). For the components used in this study, the eddy current damping in the yoke of the inductive write head turned out to be the major restriction in achieving higher data rates.