Patterned media recording: Noise and channel equalization

We analyze a patterned recording system in which bits are recorded on magnetic islands. Merger or disappearance of the islands due to edge jaggedness cause bit errors. This edge imperfection also manifests itself as noise causing read errors in the channel. Error probabilities from these degradation mechanisms are computed assuming a partial response read channel. The island size-to-pitch ratio giving minimum error rate is found to be independent of the jaggedness.