Array codes with error detection for efficient multitrack magnetic recording channels

Abstract

This paper presents a simple and practical error control technique for multitrack magnetic recording systems. The proposed technique is based on using a simple and fast hash function to locate erroneous tracks in magnetic tape and exploit the MDS property of array codes to correct these tracks as erasures. We show that the proposed technique reduces both the coding complexity and the required code redundancy by almost 50% from that needed by conventional systems.