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Electrical and Computer Engineering

18517 – Data Storage Systems Design Project

12 units

This course gives students a comprehensive understanding of data storage systems through lecture and simulation exercises. Over the course of the semester, students will work in teams to build a computer simulation of an entire disk drive recording channel, and observe the different forms that the stored information takes on its passage through a non-volatile storage system. As many realistic aspects of the storage system will be incorporated in the simulation as possible, including magnetic media hysteresis, magnetic and electronic noise, magnetoresistive readback sensors, and various methods of data detection. The class will culminate with demonstrations by each group of their models, and the effect the changes in recording parameters have on data integrity. Currently the SIMULINK package is used with Matlab to construct the simulation, and students are provided with a 3 hr. recitation period each week during which they can work on their simulation under the supervision of the course instructors.

3 hrs. lec., 3 hrs. rec.

Prerequisites: 18-416 or (18-316 and 18-396) or (18-300 and 18-396) or (18-310 and 18-396) or graduate standing

Last updated on April 11, 2006

ECE classifications

Undergraduate areas

Applied Physics

Undergraduate designations

Capstone Design, Coverage, Depth

This course is currently being offered.

Past semesters

S07, S06, S05, S04, S03, S02, S01, S00

Hover over a semester for more information.

Please note that the course history information is incomplete and/or may reflect different courses offered under the same course number.



5000 Forbes Avenue / Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890 / Phone: 412-268-7400 / Fax: 412-268-2860