On the SNR merits of run-length-limited codes in feedback-equalized recording systems

An upper bound is derived for the SNR merits that may be attributed to run-length-limited codes when used in high-density recording systems with optimum mean-square decision feedback equalization. It is argued and exemplified that these merits often lag behind the SNR improvement that uncoded storage would bring about via a reduction of the signaling rate. Losses are quantified for a number of practical codes as well as for maxentropic (d,k) sequences.<
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