DC-Free Four-Ary (2,8) Run-Length Limited Code for Multi-level Recording Channels

Abstract

A new high efficient DC-free (2,8) run-length limited (RLL) code for four-level optical recording channels is proposed. The proposed code can be represented by a finite state diagram (FSM) with three states and implemented easily. The code rate and density ratio of the code are 5/6 bits/symbols and 2.50 bits/minimum-recorded-mark, respectively. On the basis of the experimental results, the performances of the code are evaluated by using partial-response maximum-likelihood (PRML) technology, which is suitable for detecting multi-level RLL signals. By using four-ary (2,8)RLL modulation and PRML technology, one can increase the recording density 66.7% relative to conventional binary RLL modulation currently used in digital versatile disc (DVD), meanwhile the bit error rate (BER) still be acceptable.