A coding system for magnetic recording channels combining a high-rate error
detection code with a list Viterbi algorithm (LVA) is proposed, This codin
g system can provide a coding gain of up to 2-3 dB for a modified extended
extended partial response class IV (EEPR4) channel. A pipelined implementat
ion of the LVA is presented, and an accurate estimation technique for the L
VA performance is developed.