This project is oriented toward the problem of high density storage of data. The past few decades have witnessed a rapidly growing demand for efficient data storage systems. Advances in computer technology have driven the ever increasing need for higher data storage densities and data transfer rates from systems such as magnetic and optical disks, and magnetic tape. Many of these needs have been met by improvements in read/write heads, media technology, and advanced actuator and tracking systems. Improved signal processing and coding techniques have also played an important role and offer tremendous potential for providing even further improvements in data transfer rates, storage capacity, and reliability of data storage systems. This research focusses on providing such improvements through the use of joint error correction/modulation coding, joint source/modulation coding, and multi-track recording techniques.
