The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent the work is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
An optical disk, such as a CD, DVD, HD-DVD, or Blu-Ray disk, may contain data recorded as marks and spaces on the surface of the optical disk. The marks and spaces may correspond to bits of value ‘0’ and ‘1’ which comprise the data. After being recorded, the data may be read by detecting laser light reflected off the optical disk. The reflected light may be transformed by a photo-detector to an analog replay signal. When the data is written, each mark and space are intended to be the same nominal size on the optical disk. However, different types of optical disks and variations in the power and focus of the recording laser may cause asymmetry, where the sizes of the marks and spaces differ from their intended nominal sizes. For example, if the writing power is too small, then the mark size can be shorter than the nominal size, and the space size can be longer than the nominal size. When reading the marks and spaces, asymmetry in the replay signal may result in amplitude and duration variations and an increase in the bit error rate.
Examples of normal and distorted signals are shown in
Aspects of the disclosure can provide an asymmetry compensation system with improved signal acquisition timing to reduce the time required to determine the asymmetry coefficient α(k). It is a further goal to provide an improved error signal generation method used during the determination of and steady-state corrections to α(k).
Accordingly, aspects of the disclosure relate to a method for generating a compensated data signal comprising (1) in a first mode: calculating an offset coefficient based on a data signal, scaling the offset coefficient to calculate an estimated asymmetry coefficient, generating the compensated data signal as a function of the offset coefficient, the estimated asymmetry coefficient and the data signal, and repeating the steps of the first mode until a predetermined criteria is met, and (2) in a second mode: calculating an asymmetry coefficient as a function of the data signal and the offset coefficient, where the initial value of the asymmetry co-efficient is the estimated asymmetry coefficient, and generating the compensated data signal as a function of the offset coefficient and the asymmetry coefficient.
Further aspects of the disclosure relate to the above method in which scaling the offset coefficient comprises multiplying the offset coefficient by a predetermined steady-state ratio of the asymmetry coefficient to the offset coefficient, in which the offset coefficient is calculated based on the amount of low frequency offset error to the data signal, and in which the compensated data signal in either mode is represented by s(k). s(k), in turn, includes terms α(k), which represents the estimated asymmetry coefficient in the first mode or the asymmetry coefficient in the second mode, αofs(k), which represents the offset coefficient, and k which represents an interval of discrete time.
Other aspects of the disclosure describe variations of the above method in which a transition from the first mode to the second mode is made by switching a selection input of a signal de-mux, the predetermined criteria for repeating the steps of the first mode comprises checking if the change of αofs(k) over a certain period of time is less than a predetermined value, and the asymmetry coefficient is represented by α(k). α(k) includes a term αerr(k), which is calculated by assigning αerr(k) equal to s(k) if s(k) falls between predetermined thresholds T and −T, and assigning αerr(k) equal to T if s(k) falls above T, and αerr(k) equal to −T if s(k) falls below −T.
In still other aspects of the disclosure, the offset coefficient is calculated by a first feedback loop and the asymmetry coefficient is calculated by a second feedback loop.
Various embodiments of this disclosure that are proposed as examples will be described in detail with reference to the following figures, wherein like numerals reference like elements, and wherein:
The disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like referenced numerals designate corresponding parts or elements throughout the different views.
In an embodiment of the present invention further described below, the asymmetry compensation system 400 operates in two distinct modes of operation: a first mode or an acquisition mode, and a second mode or a tracking mode. In the first mode (acquisition), the value of α(k) is estimated directly from the value of αofs(k). In this mode, the signal select junction 440 would simply scale (multiply by a constant) αds(k) (entering junction 440 from the bottom in
During the second mode of operation (tracking), the actual (non-estimated) value of α(k) is calculated iteratively from the compensated data signal s(k). This process is more time consuming than the determination of the steady-state value of αofs(k). However, in an embodiment, the process of determining α(k) can be expedited by starting with an estimate of α(k) which is already close to the final value. This starting value is the estimate determined during the first mode of operation.
During its operation (as described above), the asymmetry compensation system 500 takes a data signal X(k) as an input and generates a compensated data signal s(k)=X(k)+α(k)X(k)2−αofs(k) as its output, which is transmitted to the decoder 550. The individual terms α(k)X(k)2 and αofs(k) correspond to the correction terms for signal asymmetry and signal offset, respectively.
In general, the signal asymmetry corrected by α(k)X(k)2 may be either negative or positive, owing to respectively longer or shorter ‘1’ bit lengths, and generally is reflected by signal compression/expansion as a function of time, e.g., the marks are longer than spaces causing negative signals to have longer time duration than positive signals. It is computationally efficient to compute a single value α(k) which will optimize (minimize) the net effect of asymmetry to the data signal, and to scale the X(k)2 term by this value when adding it to the initial data signal X(k).
The low frequency/direct current (DC) bias offset term αofs(k) may be strongly correlated to the asymmetry coefficient α(k) of the α(k)X(k)2 term. In this case, there is no special form (such as ˜X(k)2) that the correction term is given, and generalized offset term αofs(k), which may be positive, negative or zero, is introduced.
In an embodiment, acquisition and tracking modes may be temporally separated, such that the asymmetry compensation system 500 begins its operation in a first mode (for example, the acquisition mode), and later switches to the second mode (for example, the tracking mode) after a certain criteria is met. This criteria may be represented by a calculated parameter reaching a certain value, such as the rate of change of αofs(k) between successive intervals of discrete time falling below some predetermined value (i.e., the change of αofs(k) over a certain period of time≦Δ), or may simply occur after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed.
The operational difference between the acquisition and tracking modes is the way the value of α(k) is determined. In the acquisition mode, α(k) is determined directly from αofs(k) via a scaling factor, whereas in the tracking mode, α(k) is iteratively determined from the compensated data signal s(k). The modes are demarcated by the selection de-mux 513. As illustrated in
The determination of the bias error/offset coefficient αofs(k) can be the same in either mode. As depicted in
αofs(k)=αofs(k−1)+Gofss(k−1) Eq. (2):
In Eq. (2), s(k−1) represents an offset error signal that may be generated from summing block 504. The offset correction αofs(k) is subtracted from the partial data compensation signal (X(k)−α(k)X(k)2) as −αds(k). The process repeats iteratively, resulting in an output signal s(k), equal to X(k)+αX(k)2−αofs(k), taken from the output of difference unit 504.
Because the determination of αofs(k) amounts to little more than bit-wise envelope detection, its determination may occur very rapidly. The relationship between α(k) and αofs(k) is an approximately linear relationship between the final steady-state values of each. That is, knowing the final value of αofs(k) allows one to calculate the final value of α to a high degree of accuracy. Thus, it can be possible to initially estimate the final value of α(k) from αofs(k) alone.
The reason the relationship between α(k) and αas(k) is predictable is because they are physically related to one another, although they are not simply related, in that a determination of the rapidly converging value of αofs(k) provides an exact determination of the value of α(k). However, the loosely linear relationship does allow for an estimate, or seed value of α(k) to be rapidly determined.
Accordingly, in an embodiment the operation of the asymmetry compensation system 500 begins in an acquisition mode, with the selection de-mux 513 in the state “1” as depicted in
Because α(k) is tethered to αofs(k) via GMR during the acquisition mode, α(k) will stop changing at the same rate (and time) as αofs(k). At this point, α(k) (estimate) is at a “seed” value relatively close to its final (steady-state) value. An advantage of one embodiment is that this approach may result in an estimate of α(k) close enough to its final value allow the decoder 550 to begin decoding s(k), even before the asymmetry compensation system 500 has entered the tracking mode.
At S630, the data signal s(k) is corrected by the current values of αofs(k) and α(k), and the circuit moves into S640. (Because k denotes the current discrete time interval, each of αofs(k), α(k) and s(k) change with each k+1 interval). Although the circuit is still functioning in the acquisition mode, the decoder may suddenly be able to decode s(k) at any time; this will occur if αofs(k) and α(k) are near their actual values. This does not mean the circuit begins functioning differently, however, and the circuit will stay at S640, iterating in the acquisition mode, until a predetermined condition is met.
At the conclusion of S640, some predetermined condition has been met. In
At S650, α(k) is “un-tethered” from αofs(k). This means the selection SEL element 513 is changed to “0”, and α(k) is computed by the α determination loop (block 430 of
At S660, s(k) is generated (corrected) from the true values of αofs(k) and α(k). The circuit will stay at S660, tracking the raw data feed X(k), until the conditions change (i.e., a new track on the optical disc is selected), at which point the circuit returns to S601.
For example,
Once in the tracking mode, the value of α is untethered from αofs(k) (selection de-mux 513 can be switched from “2” or “1” to “0”), and the value of α becomes determined by iterative operations performed on the compensated data signal s(k). In particular, this process is executed by the GENERATE αerr unit 505, the gain block Gαerr 508, the summing block 510 and the unit delay element 514.
During the tracking mode, α(k) is now given by
α(k)=α(k−1)+Gαerrαerr(k) Eq. (3):
Eq. (3) may be derived from
Eq. (4) is equivalent to passing s(k) through a limiter that limits output to +/−T. The output has been further passed through a high-pass filter (not shown) that removed its mean. Accordingly, in
The function of threshold T is to force e(k) to only pick up the values of s(k) around zero. If there were no T, (or, equivalently, if T=∞), then e(k)=s(k). Since s(k) is zero mean, e(k) is also zero mean, and thus e(k) will not drive α(k) to change.
In contrast,
In an embodiment, the slicer decision d(k) is not needed. Thus, a system can be implemented with less components at less cost.
According to an aspect of the disclosure, the disclosed method improved signal convergence. In an example, rather than exhibiting asymmetric compression/rarefaction, the distorted signal possesses an imbalance between the number of positive and negative samples. This may cause s(k) to take on a disproportionate number on non-zero values, driving α(k) to adapt to a non-zero value.
With the proposed method, the adaptation of α(k) reflects only asymmetry (not imbalance).
According to another aspect of the disclosure, the proposed method is used for a Blu-Ray eXtra Large (BDXL) format. With a BDXL format, the inter-symbol interference (ISI) is larger than the ISI of a regular Blu-ray waveform. As a result, slicer decisions d(k) are more unreliable, which negatively affects the conventional α(k) adaptation.
While aspects of the present disclosure have been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments thereof that are proposed as examples, alternatives, modifications, and variations to the examples may be made. Accordingly, embodiments as set forth herein are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. There are changes that may be made without departing from the scope of the claims set forth below. The embodiments can be also implemented in the form of a computer readable medium storing instructions to carry out steps to perform the method or apparatus as described in the present disclosure.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/582,936, filed on Jan. 4, 2012, and Ser. No. 61/644,331, filed on May 8, 2012. Further, this application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/104,879, filed Apr. 17, 2008, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/912,313 filed Apr. 17, 2007. The entire disclosures of the prior applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 12104879 | Apr 2008 | US |
Child | 13734013 | US |