Comparison of Track Densities of Discrete Track Media and Continuous Media: A Numerical Model

Abstract

We have compared track density capabilities of discrete track media and continuous perpendicular media by using a numerical model of off-track capability. In the model, off-track capability is obtained from the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) cross-track profile. We have investigated the effects of read width, erase bandwidth, write width, and on-track media SNR. Our simulations show that the track density for discrete track media can be 25%-35% higher than that for continuous media. Track density advantage of discrete track media is reduced when the erase band width becomes wider or the on-track media SNR is higher.