A new multiple-rate coding scheme for high density digital recording systems

A new multiple-rate coding scheme incorporates the Reed-Solomon codes into the multiple-rate codes (or burst-trapping codes) to achieve high code rate (90% or higher) with moderate block length. The adaptive property of the multiple-rate codes is magnified and a minimum amount of decoding delay is required for this new code. This coding scheme is particularly suitable for the high density digital tape recording system in which both burst errors (mainly due to tape imperfections) and random errors occur. The encoding and decoding processes of this new coding scheme will be described. Both the decoded block error rate and bit error rate will be analyzed. Finally, the performance curves of two selected codes will be presented.