Modular partial response channel software simulator

Abstract

Software simulations are presented for the magnetic and optical recording channels that illustrate the performances, measured in bit error rate (BER) dependence by signal to noise ratio (SNR) characteristics of recording digital sequences, calculated for equalized partial response channels followed by Viterbi detection versus classical methods. A software simulator is used, specially designed to assist the signal processing stages in magnetic and optical recording channels. The simulator includes the concept of partial response channels, channel equalization and detection algorithms, applied to new and classical methods of recording. The BER characteristics are simulated for the peak detection/Viterbi algorithm, classical/PR4/EPR4 recording channels, with/without equalization.