Noise reduction of page-oriented data storage by inverse filtering during recording

Abstract

Two novel techniques for eliminating deterministic noise from a page-oriented memory are presented. The first technique equalizes the output response of ON pixels by adjustment of the exposure of each pixel during the recording of each data page. A test image transmitted through the system measures the spatial nonuniformities, and the appropriate inverse filter is imposed upon the data page and recorded in the storage material. On readout, the output signal values are then spatially uniform, perturbed only by random noise sources. Experimental results of using this predistortion technique in a pixel-matched holographic storage system are shown. Under conditions of high volumetric density, raw bit-error-rate (BER) improvements of 6-8 orders of magnitude are obtained (from 10-4 to <10-10). The second technique uses a phase shift during holographic storage to subtract from bright OFF pixels. Under conditions of low spatial light modulator contrast, BER improvements of 6 orders of magnitude (from 10-2 to 10-8) are demonstrated. © 1998 Optical Society of America.