Book excerpt: Rapid advances in recording materials, read/write heads, and mechanical designs over the last 15 years have led to the need for more complicated signal processing, coding, and modulation algorithms for the hard disk drive "read channel." Today, the challenges in implementing new architectures and designs for the read channel have been pushed to the limits of modern integrated circuit manufacturing technology. Coding and Signal Processing for Magnetic Recording Systems reviews advanced coding and signal processing techniques and architectures for magnetic recording read channels. Beginning with the basic principles of magnetic recording, it examines read/write operations, data organization, head positioning, sensing, timing recovery, data detection, and error correction. It also provides an in-depth treatment of all recording channel subsystems inside a read channel and hard disk drive controller. The final section reviews new trends in coding, particularly iterative decoding and codes under investigation for recording channels. Thoroughly up to date and featuring contributions from top researchers in the field, this book offers a unique opportunity to build a solid foundation in detection, coding, timing recovery, and servo systems for magnetic recording systems. It provides both the theoretical tools for analyzing recording systems as well as insight into practical, feasible solutions.