The effect of MR head nonlinearity on MDFE and PRML performance

The detection performance of multi-level decision feedback equalization (MDFE) and partial response with maximum likelihood detection (PRML) in the presence of magnetoresistive (MR) head nonlinearity is investigated through simulation. Two models are used to characterize the MR head nonlinearity: (1) a transfer function curve based on measurement and (2) a 3rd-order polynomial model. The results indicate that MDFE is more robust to MR head nonlinearity than PRML, especially to head saturation.