M-ary signaling on rewritable/write-once optical discs: fundamental limits and actual performance

In this paper we consider theoretical and practical aspects of an M-ary, pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) rewritable and write-once optical recording system with compact disc (CD) parameters. A channel model is presented and waterfilling capacity for it computed. Several modulation and detection schemes are presented and compared with capacity. Finally performance points for an implemented M=8 system with CD-RW parameters are given and compared with the theoretical model.