Read channel circuit and method for decoding using reduced-complexity error correction

Abstract

A decoding technique is disclosed for proving inexpensively a read channel circuit which has an error correction function and is applicable to high channel frequencies. In this read channel circuit, generating a reference slice level signal and a plurality of slice level signals which are different from the reference slice level signal, converting the playback signal into a plurality of binary signals synchronized with a channel clock according to each of the slice level signals, selecting two binary signals, measuring the phase distance between the two binary signals, judging the polarity of an inverted edge of a reference binary signal, and generating an error correction signal on the basis of the phase distance and the polarity of the inverted edge of the reference binary signal, whereby any error in the playback signal can be eliminated.