Multiple-head array systems, which allow reading and writing of data simultaneously on multiple tracks, can potentially provide both high density and high speed, but the read-back signal in such systems is corrupted by intertrack interference (ITI) in addition to intersymbol interference (ISI). In this paper, we report on the performance of a multitrack system and propose a low-complexity multitrack soft-error-eveht decoder (SEED) to counter the effects of ISI and ITI. The multitrack SEED is based on a high-rate Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem code, and is capable of correcting most frequent error events produced by the channel. Used in conjunction with a joint partial response equalizer followed by an ITI equalizer, the SEED scheme provides a gain of 0.5-2 dB at a bit-error rate of 10{sup}(-4) relative to an uncoded system.
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