On coding in multi-track, multi-head, disk recording systems

In narrow-track digital magnetic recording systems, codes for improving noise immunity should be used to compensate for the signal-to-noise-ratio loss incurred by track narrowing. Existence of inter-track interference (ITI), in addition to inter-symbol interference (ISI), in these systems requires that the codes be able to combat interference in both spatial dimensions. We show that certain conditions imposed on the ITI parameters make existing codes, designed for improving noise immunity in single-track systems, applicable in the multi-track, multi-head case.<>