Elimination of inter symbol interference-induced timing phase steps at sector start in PRML digital magnetic data storage channel

摘要

A method is provided for elimination of periodic inter symbol interference (ISI) resulting in timing phase steps and channel amplitude control steps occurring following a periodic preamble pattern, such as a 1/4 T sine wave pattern and at the beginning of a random pattern user data field in a partial response, maximum likelihood digital magnetic data storage channel. The method comprises the steps of: determining a periodicity of periodic ISI events in relation to main magnetic flux transitions during playback of a periodic signal waveform thereof, writing a new preamble field to the magnetic data storage channel of a periodic signal waveform preceding the user data field in which the phase of the periodic signal waveform is shifted, e.g. 180 degrees, at the determined periodicity of undershoot events, and locking a digital data sampling timing loop and a digital channel gain control circuit to the new preamble field, whereby undershoot-induced ISI timing phase steps and amplitude control steps at the preamble-to-user data field transition region are eliminated.