We present a systematic way to construct multilevel concatenated codes for partial response (PR) channels using: (1) a structured set partition (SSP) of multiple channel output sets and (2) a set of conventional block codes with different error correcting capabilities. A lower bound on the minimum squared Euclidean distance of the constructed codes is given. This bound is based on the interset minimal Euclidean distances of the SSP and the minimum Hamming distances of the used block codes. An example of SSP for the extended class 4 partial response channel (EPR4) is presented. Iterative suboptimal decoding, which combines Viterbi detection on the trellis of the PR channel with algebraic error detection/correction, can be applied to the constructed concatenated codes. Truncated versions of the iterative decoding scheme are simulated and compared with each other.

Through mutual technology transfer between consumer and professional video recorders, the last 20 years has witnessed a rapid evolution from analog to digital recording. Each new digital videotape recorder (VTR) uses different channel coding. This implies that improving the recording density involves the development of new channel-coding schemes together with evolutionary magnetic tapes and heads. As a result, professional digital VTR's offer the best features for video recording. This paper reviews state-of-the-art magnetic recording devices, signal processing techniques for digital recording. It also describes the specifications for home-use digital recorders for current television systems, and discusses disk recording technology in the future.>

Some of the essential technology for record/playback systems in professional HDTV digital recorders is described. The full bandwidths of 1125/60 HDTV signals (30 MHz for luminance and 15 MHz each for the two color difference signals) were recorded. An 8-8 mapping channel code and integrated detection were used. A special phase locked loop (PLL) to cope with picture search functions was developed. At the high data rate of 148.5 Mb/s per channel and the high linear density of 0.345 mu m per bit, the recorder operates with a word error rate of less than 10/sup -4/.>