DESCRIPTION
OPTICAL DATA RECORDING METHOD
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention related to a method for
optically recording data on a data storage medium such as
an optical disc.
BACKGROUND ART
Data storage mediums for optically recording data
have received attention as mediums for recording a large
amount of digital data.
A phase-change optical disc is one of recordable data
recording mediums. The phase-change optical disc has a
recording film melted by heating. By irradiating a
rotating disc with a light beam of a semiconductor laser
modulated based on data to be recorded, a phase change
occurs on a part irradiated with the light beam on the
recording film and data is recorded.
In the case of an intensive light beam, the part
irradiated with the light beam on the recording film is
heated to a high temperature and is rapidly cooled
thereafter. Thus, the part irradiated with the light beam
on the recording film becomes amorphous . In the case of a
relatively weak light beam, the part irradiated with the
light beam is heated to a moderate high temperature and is
gradually cooled thereafter. Thus, the part irradiated
with the light beam is crystallized. Normally the part
having become amorphous is referred to as a mark and the
part crystallized between marks is referred to as a space.
Binary data is recorded by using the mark and the space.
The string of the marks and the spaces is formed on a
track which is spirally provided on the optical disc.
Normally a laser power of an intensive light beam is
called peak power and a laser power of a weak light beam
is called bias power.
When data recorded on the phase-change optical disc
is read, a weak light beam not causing a phase change of
the recording film is emitted to the optical disc and
reflected light is detected. Normally the mark having
become amorphous has a low reflectivity and the
crystallized space has a high reflectivity. Thus, a
difference in quantity of reflected light between the mark
and the space is detected to generate a reproduction
signal, the reproduction signal is binarized, and then
demodulation is performed so as to acquire recorded data.
As a method for recording data on the phase-change
optical disc, mark position recording and mark edge
recording are available. Normally mark edge recording
(mark length recording) can obtain a higher recording
density of information. A longer mark can be recorded in
mark edge recording as compared with mark position
recording.
When a light beam at peak power is emitted to the
phase-change optical disc to record a long mark, the rear
of the mark has a larger width in the radius direction due
to the heat accumulation of the recording film. Thus,
there arises a problem that undeleted data remains during
direct overwriting and signal crosstalk occurs between
tracks, which results in the seriously degradation of the
signal quality.
In order to solve the problem, for example, Japanese
Patent Laid-Open No. 9-7176 discloses that a mark formed
by the mark edge recording is divided into a leading edge,
an intermediate portion, and a trailing edge, the leading
edge and the trailing edge are each formed by a single
laser pulse of a predetermined length, and the
intermediate portion is formed by a plurality of laser
pulses each having a predetermined period. According to
the method, since the intermediate portion is formed by
the plurality of laser pulses, it is possible to suppress
heat accumulation and prevent an increase in mark width.
On the other hand, since the leading edge and the trailing
edge of the mark is formed by the laser pulse of a
predetermined length, sufficient thermal energy is applied
to the recording film. Hence, even in the case of direct
overwriting, it is possible to reduce jitter on the edges
of a formed mark.
Figures 1 and 2 show examples of the waveforms of
laser pulses used for forming marks of various lengths
according to the conventional art. For example, data to
be recorded is recorded according to mark edge recording,
which uses recording modulation codes converted according
to Run Length Limited (2, 10) modulating scheme. In this
case, the recording modulation codes are present with the
shortest length 3T to the longest length 11T where T
represents a reference period of the recording modulation
code of a recording mark. The mark and space, on which
recording is performed according to mark edge recording,
have a continuous length expressed by a length of the
recording modulation code.
When these marks are formed on the optical disc, as
described above, a plurality of laser pulses are employed
as shown in Figure 2, in each of marks having respective
lengths . Figure 6 shows a recording pulse train which
generates a laser pulse for forming a mark of 6T. In
Figure 1, a pulse 801 at the front is referred to as a
first pulse and a pulse 804 at the backend is referred to
as a last pulse. Further, a pulse 802 and a pulse 803
between the first pulse and the last pulse are referred to
as a multi-pulse train constituted of pulses of a period
T.
The multi-pulse train of the mark 6T includes two
pulses and the multi-pulse train of mark 7T includes three
pulses. Moreover, the multi-pulse train of mark 5T is
actually constituted of a single pulse. The number of
pulses is increased by one as the mark length is increased
by T. Conversely one pulse is reduced as the mark length
is reduced by T. Therefore, mark 4T is only constituted
of a first pulse and a last pulse and has no multi-pulse
train. Moreover, mark 3T is constituted of a single
pulse. Normally the first pulse has a width of 0.25 to
1.5 T and the last pulse has a width of 0.25 to 1 T. A
single pulse constituting the multi-pulse train has a
width of 0.25 to 0.75 T.
In the waveform of a laser pulse shown in Figure 2,
although the width of the last pulse is different from
that of the waveform of the laser pulse shown in Figure 1,
a relationship between a mark length and the number of
multi-pulse trains forming an intermediate portion is the
same as the laser pulse of Figure 1.
When marks are formed according to the above-
described method, marks of different lengths can be
readily formed by changing the number of pulses in the
intermediate portion. However, according to this
conventional method, when a speed for recording data is
increased, for example, when data is recorded on an
optical disc at a high transfer rate, since the response
speed of a laser diode is not ideally high, the rising
edge and the falling edge of a pulse becomes dull in a
luminous waveform. Thus, a predetermined quantity of heat
cannot be applied to the recording film of the optical
disc. Particularly since the multi-pulse train has a
pulse width of about 0.25 to 0.75T, for example, it
becomes difficult to generate a pulse of a sinusoidal wave
in some rising times and falling times of a laser. Hence,
a correct mark cannot be formed.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to solve the
above conventional problem and provide a method for
optically recording data that enables correct recording.
The optical data recording method comprising the
steps of: modulating data to be recorded, to generate a
plurality of recording modulation codes; and emitting a
pulse-like light beam to an optical disc, so that a
plurality of recording marks and spaces which have lengths
corresponding to the plurality of recording modulation
codes are formed on the optical disc. In the optical data
recording method, at least two of the plurality of
recording marks comprises: a first pulse which is disposed
at a front and forms a leading edge of the recording mark,
a last pulse which is disposed at a backend and forms a
trailing edge of the recording mark, and a multi-pulse
train which is disposed between the first pulse and the
last pulse and forms a center of the recording mark. The
multi-pulse train has a pulse period longer than T which
represents a reference period of the recording modulation
code.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the
plurality of recording marks have different lengths
represented by nT (n is an integral equal to or larger
than 1) and at least two of the recording marks having
different n are equal in the number of pulses included in
the recording pulse train.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a light
beam generated by at least one pulse of the first pulse,
the multi-pulse train, and the last pulse train is varied
in irradiation power in at least two of the recording
marks .
In one embodiment of the present invention, each of
the recording pulse trains in the recording marks 2nT and
(2n + 1)T includes an equal number of pulses in the
plurality of recording marks .
In one embodiment of the present invention, each of
the recording pulse trains in the recording marks (2n -
1)T and 2nT includes an equal number of pulses in the
plurality of recording marks.
In one embodiment of the present invention, each of
the first pulses has an equal pulse width in the plurality
of recording marks .
In one embodiment of the present invention, each of
the last pulses have an equal pulse width in the plurality
of recording marks.
In one embodiment of the present invention, each of
the multi-pulse trains has an equal pulse width and pulse
interval in the plurality of recording marks.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the
plurality of recording marks include a recording mark
formed by a light beam emitted according to the recording
pulse train including only one pulse and a recording mark
formed by a light beam emitted according to the recording
pulse train including only the first pulse and the last
pulse, . and the recording pulse trains have pulses each
being IT or more in pulse width.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the
plurality of recording marks include a recording mark
formed by a light beam emitted according to the recording
pulse train including only one pulse and a recording mark
formed by a light beam emitted according to the recording
pulse train including only the first pulse and the last
pulse, and the recording pulse trains have adjacent two
pulses each being IT or more in interval.
In one embodiment of the present invention, in the
recording pulse train, the multi-pulse area having the
multi-pulse train disposed therein, amplitude and a
position of at least one of the recording pulse train are
set so that a multi-pulse duty or a multi-pulse amplitude
average value is set at a predetermined value, the multi-
pulse duty being obtained by dividing a pulse width of the
multi-pulse train by a period of the multi-pulse train,
the multi-pulse amplitude average value being obtained by
dividing an amplitude integral of the multi-pulse area by
a time width of the multi-pulse area.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the
multi-pulse train has a period set at 2T.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the
multi-pulse area is defined by rising timing of a front
pulse of the multi-pulse train to falling timing of a
backend pulse of the multi-pulse train.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the
multi-pulse area is defined by falling timing of the first
pulse to rising timing of the last pulse.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the
method sets rising timing for a front pulse of the
recording pulse train and a pulse width for each pulse of
the recording pulse train.
In one embodiment of the present invention, setting
is made so that a front space width between the first
pulse and the front pulse of the pulse train and a backend
space width between a, backend pulse of the multi-pulse
train and the last pulse are almost equal to each other.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the
plurality of recording modulation codes have different
lengths represented by nT (n is an integer equal to or
more than 1), and the set amplitude and position of at
least one pulse of the recording pulse train are constant
values regardless of a length of the recording modulation
code .
In one embodiment of the present invention, the
plurality of recording modulation codes have different
lengths represented by nT (n is an integer equal to or
more than 1), and the set amplitude and position of at
least one pulse of the recording pulse train are set at
different values depending upon whether a length of the
recording modulation code is an odd-numbered times or an
even-numbered times as large as T.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the
plurality of recording modulation codes have different
lengths represented by nT (n is an integer equal to or
more than 1), and the set amplitude and position of at
least one pulse of the recording pulse train are set at
different values according to a length of the recording
modulation code.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the
plurality of recording modulation codes have different
lengths represented by nT (n is an integer equal to or
more than 1), the plurality of recording modulation codes
are classified as a plurality of code groups, the set
amplitude and position of at least one pulse of the
recording pulse train are set at different values for each
of the code groups .
In one embodiment of the present invention, the
plurality of recording modulation codes have different
lengths represented by nT (n is an integer equal to or
more than 1) and the multi-pulse duty or the multi-pulse
amplitude average value is set at a constant value
regardless of a length of the recording modulation code.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the
plurality of recording modulation codes have different
lengths represented by nT (n is an integer equal to or
more than 1) and the multi-pulse duty or the multi-pulse
amplitude average value is set at a different value
depending upon whether a length of the recording
modulation code is an odd-numbered times or an even-
numbered times as large as T.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the
plurality of recording modulation codes have different
lengths represented by nT (n is an integer equal to or
more than 1) and the multi-pulse duty or the multi-pulse
amplitude average value is set at a different value
according to a length of the recording modulation code.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the
plurality of recording modulation codes have different
lengths represented by nT (n is an integer equal to or
more than 1), the plurality of recording modulation codes
are classified as a plurality of code groups, and the
multi-pulse duty or the multi-pulse amplitude average
value is set at a different value for each of the code
groups .
In one embodiment of the present invention, the
multi-pulse duty or the multi-pulse amplitude average
value are determined by forming a recording mark using the
recording pulse train, and evaluating an amplitude value
around a center of a reproduction signal obtained by
reproducing the formed recording mark.
According to another aspect of the present invention,
a data recording device comprises: a motor to place an
optical disc thereon and rotate the optical disc; an
optical head having light source and emitting a light beam
onto the optical disc placed on the motor; a signal
processing section modulating a data to be recorded and
generating a plurality of recording modulation codes; a
recording pulse train generating section generating a
plurality of recording pulse trains for driving the light
source based on the recording modulation codes , so as to
form on the optical disc a plurality of marks having
lengths corresponding to the respective recording
modulation codes. At least two of the plurality of
recording marks being formed by a light beam emitted
according to a recording pulse train, the recording pulse
train, comprises: a first pulse which is disposed at a
front and forms a leading edge of the recording mark, a
last pulse which is disposed at a backend and forms a
trailing edge of the recording mark, and a multi-pulse
train which is disposed between the first pulse and the
last pulse and forms a center of the recording mark. The
multi-pulse train having a pulse period longer than T
which represents a reference period of the recording
modulation code.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the
plurality of recording marks have different lengths
represented by nT (n is an integral equal to or larger
than 1) and at least two of the recording marks having
different n are equal in the number of pulses included in
the recording pulse train.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a light
beam generated by at least one pulse of the first pulse,
the multi-pulse train, and the last pulse train is varied
in irradiation power in at least two of the recording
marks .
In one embodiment of the present invention, in the
recording pulse train, the multi-pulse area having the
multi-pulse train disposed therein, amplitude and a
position of at least one of the recording pulse train are
set so that a multi-pulse duty or a multi-pulse amplitude
average value is set at a predetermined value, the multi-
pulse duty being obtained by dividing a pulse width of the
multi-pulse train by a period of the multi-pulse train,
the multi-pulse amplitude average value being obtained by
dividing an amplitude integral of the multi-pulse area by
a time width of the multi-pulse area.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the
multi-pulse train has a period set at 2T.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of a
conventional recording pulse train.
Figure 2 is a diagram showing another example of the
conventional recording pulse train.
Figure 3 is a block diagram showing Embodiment 1 of a
recording device according to the present invention.
Figure 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a
light beam control section in the recording device of
Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a diagram showing a signal inputted to
the light beam control section and a signal outputted from
the light beam control section.
Figure 6 is a diagram showing Example 1 of a
recording pulse train according to Embodiment 1.
Figure 7 is a diagram showing Example 2 of the
recording pulse train according to Embodiment 1.
Figure 8 is a diagram showing Example 3 of the
recording pulse train according to Embodiment 1.
Figure 9 is a diagram showing Example 4 of the
recording pulse train according to Embodiment 1.
Figure 10 is a diagram showing Example 5 of the
recording pulse train according to Embodiment 1.
Figure 11 is a diagram showing Example 6 of the
recording pulse train according to Embodiment 1.
Figure 12 is a diagram showing a variation of Example
1 of the recording pulse train according to Embodiment 1.
Figure 13 is a diagram showing a variation of Example
2 of the recording pulse train according to Embodiment 1.
Figure 14 is a diagram showing a variation of Example
3 of the recording pulse train according to Embodiment 1.
Figure 15 is a diagram showing a variation of Example
4 of the recording pulse train according to Embodiment 1.
Figure 16 is a diagram showing a variation of Example
5 of the recording pulse train according to Embodiment 1.
Figure 17 is a diagram showing a variation of Example
6 of the recording pulse train according to Embodiment 1.
Figures 18A and 18B show recording marks formed by
the conventional recording pulse train and the recording
pulse train and the waveforms of reproduction signals
obtained by reproducing the recording marks.
Figure 19 shows a recording pulse train according to
Embodiment 2, a recording mark formed by the recording
pulse train, and the waveform of a reproduction signal
obtained by reproducing the recording mark.
Figure 20 is a diagram showing parameters for
determining the recording pulse trains of Embodiment 2.
Figure 21 is a diagram showing Example 1 of the
recording pulse train according to Embodiment 2.
Figure 22 is a diagram showing Example 2 of the
recording pulse train according to Embodiment 2.
Figure 23 is a diagram showing Example 3 of the
recording pulse train according to Embodiment 2.
Figure 24 is a diagram for explaining an evaluation
method for deciding whether a target value for determining
a parameter is proper or not according to Embodiment 2.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(Embodiment 1 )
Figure 3 is a block diagram showing Embodiment 1 of a
data recording device according to the present invention.
As shown in Figure 3, a data recording device 100
comprises a spindle motor 102, an optical head 103, a
light beam control section 104, a servo section 105, a
reproduction binarizing section 106, a digital signal
processing section 107, a recording compensating section
108, and a CPU 109. The light beam control section 104
and the recording compensating section 108 form a
recording pulse train generating section.
An optical disc 101 is placed on the spindle motor
102 and the spindle motor 102 rotates the optical disc
101. The optical disc 101 has one or more tracks for
recording data. The tracks are shaped like spirals or
concentric circles. The optical disc 101 has a recording
film melted by heating. When a light beam of a
semiconductor laser is emitted which is modulated based on
data to be recorded, a phase change occurs on a part
irradiated with the light beam on the recording film.
The optical head 103 has a laser diode serving as a
light source which irradiates the optical disc 101 with a
light beam for recording data. Further, the optical head
103 converts light reflected from the optical disc 101
into an electrical signal, and outputs the converted
signal as a reproduction signal to the reproduction
binarizing section 106.
The light beam control section 104 generates current
for driving the laser diode of the optical head 103 and
controls the power of a light beam outputted from the
laser diode according to an instruction of the CPU 109.
The servo section 105 controls the position of the
optical head 103 and performs focus control and tracking
control on a light beam emitted from the optical head 103.
Moreover, the servo section 105 controls the rotation of
the spindle motor 102. The reproduction binarizing
section 106 amplifies a reproduction signal obtained from
the optical head 103 and binarizes the signal to generate
a binarized signal. Further, the reproduction binarizing
section 106 generates a clock in synchronization with the
binarized signal by using an internal PLL (not shown) .
The digital signal processing section 107 performs
predetermined demodulation and error correction on the
binarized signal. When data is recorded, the digital
signal processing section 107 added an error correction
code to recorded data and performs predetermined
modulation to generate modulation data. The recording
compensating section 108 converts the modulation data into
light modulation data constituted of pulse trains, adjusts
the pulse width or the like of the light modulation data
based on information acquired from a reproduction signal
of a disc information area and information having been
stored in the CPU 109, performs conversion into a signal
of a recording pulse train suitable for the formation of a
mark, and outputs the signal. The CPU 109 controls the
whole data recording device 100.
A host PC 110 is constituted of a computer (not
shown) , an application (not shown) , and an operating
system (not shown) and requests the date recording device
100 to perform recording and reproduction. When the
optical disc 101 is loaded into the data recording device
100, the data recording device 100 outputs a light beam
having predetermined irradiation power from the optical
head 103 and controls the light beam control section 104
and the servo section 105 so that reproduction is
performed on the disc information area (normally provided
around the innermost periphery of the disc) of the optical
disc 101. Thus, irradiation power information or the like
for recording is acquired.
Referring to Figures 3 to 5, a recording operation
will be discussed below. Figure 4 shows the specific
configuration of the light beam control section 104.
The light beam control section 104 generates current
for driving a laser diode 103a of the optical head 103.
Thus, the light beam control section 104 includes a
current source 122 for causing a laser diode 103a to emit
light with bias power, a current source 121 for causing
the laser diode 103a to emit light with peak power, and
switches 123, 124, and 125. The current source 121 and
the current source 122 are connected in parallel with the
laser diode 103a, and the switches 123, 124, and 125 are
inserted in parallel between the current source 121 and
the laser diode 103a.
As shown in Figure 3, during recording, the digital
signal processing section 107 adds an error correction
code to data to be recorded and performs predetermined
modulation to generate modulation data including a
recording modulation code. The recording compensating
section 108 receives modulation data and converts the data
into light modulation data. The light modulation data is
constituted of recording pulse trains for generating
driving pulse current to be applied to the laser diode to
form a recording mark and a recording space on the optical
disc. The recording mark and the recording space
correspond to the recording modulation code included in
the modulation data. At this point, the recording
compensating section 108 makes fine adjustments on the
widths and timing of pulses in the recording pulse trains
based on information acquired by reproducing disc
information area of the optical disc and information
having been stored in the CPU 109, and the recording
compensating section 108 adjusts the recording pulse
trains so as to have the most suitable pulse waveform
according to the kind and recording speed of the optical
disc.
Figure 5 schematically shows light modulation data
generated by the recording compensating section 108. A
recording pulse train 130 for forming a single recording
mark includes a first pulse 131 which is disposed at the
front of the recording pulse train 130 and forms a leading
edge of the recording mark, a last pulse 132 which is
disposed at the backend of the recording pulse train 130
and forms a trailing edge of the recording mark, and a
multi-pulse train 133 which is disposed between the first
pulse 131 and the last pulse 132 and forms the
intermediate portion of the recording mark. In Figure 5,
although the multi-pulse train 133 only includes a single
pulse, the multi-pulse train 133 may include two or more
pulses according to a length of the recording mark.
Further, depending on a length of the recording mark, the
multi-pulse train 133 may not be included but only the
first pulse 131 and the last pulse 132 may be included in
the recording pulse 130. Alternatively, the mark having
the shortest length may include a pulse having a length
different from the marks having other longer length.
The recording compensating section 108 generates
signals 111, 112, and 113 which only include the first
pulse 131, the multi-pulse train 133, and the last pulse
132 of the recording pulse train 130, respectively. The
recording compensating section 108 outputs the signals to
the switches 123, 124, and 125 of the light beam driving
section 104, respectively. The first pulse 131, the
multi-pulse train 133, and the last pulse 132 included in
the signals 111, 112, and 113 are each shifted at
predetermined timing.
The switches 123, 124, and 125 having received the
signals 111, 112, and 113 enter a period ON during which
the signals are set at a high level. Hence, a recording
pulse train (driving pulse train) is generated which has a
waveform similar to that of the recording pulse train 130
and has peak power and bias power as a high level and a
low level. The laser diode 103a is driven by the driving
pulse train and a recording mark is formed on the optical
disc in response to the irradiation of the laser diode.
The following will describe recording pulse trains
for forming recording marks according to the present
embodiment . In the following specific examples , for
example, recording data is modulated by Run Length Limited
(2, 10) modulating scheme and a mark is recorded on an
optical disc according to mark edge recording. In this
modulating scheme, marks and spaces from 3T to 11T are
used where T represents a referential clock period.
Figure 6 shows recording pulse trains according to
Example 1 of the present embodiment. Figure 6 shows, from
the above, recording pulse trains for forming recording
marks 3T to 11T.
As shown in Figure 6, for example, a recording pulse
train for forming a recording mark 6T includes a first
pulse 201 disposed at the front, a last pulse 203 disposed
at the backend, and a multi-pulse train 202 disposed
between the first pulse 201 and the last pulse 203.
Further, a recording pulse train for forming a
recording mark 7T includes a first pulse 204 disposed at
the front, a last pulse 206 disposed at the backend, and a
multi-pulse train 205 disposed between the first pulse 204
and the last pulse 206.
In these recording pulse trains, the multi-pulse
trains 202 and 205 are each constituted of a single pulse.
Moreover, in recording pulse trains 8T and 9T, multi-pulse
trains 207 and 208 each include two pulses. In recording
pulse trains 10T and 11T, multi-pulse trains 209 and 210
each include three pulses.
In this way, in the recording pulse trains of the
present embodiment, in the recording pulse trains for
forming 2nT and (2n + 1)T recording marks where n
represents an integer equal to or larger than 2, each of
the multi-pulse trains include an equal number of pulses.
Therefore, the number of pulses in the multi-pulse
train is increased by one as the mark is increased in
length by 2T. At this point, a multi-pulse is generated
at two kinds of timing. Even in the case of two recording
marks including multi-pulse trains, each having an equal
number of pulses, the front pulse of a multi-pulse train
for the mark of an even-numbered reference period T
precedes, by 0.5T, the front pulse of a multi-pulse train
for the mark of an odd-numbered reference period T.
Namely, an interval between the first pulse and the front
pulse of the multi-pulse train is 0.5T shorter in the
even-numbered mark T. Moreover, an interval between the
backend pulse of the multi-pulse train and the last pulse
is 0.5T shorter in the even-numbered mark T.
As shown in Figure 6, in the recording pulse trains
for forming the recording marks 3T to 11T, the first
pulse, the last pulse, and the pulses of the multi-pulse
train are almost equal in pulse width and the pulse width
is equal to the reference period T. The pulse interval of
the multi-pulse train is also equal to the reference
period T. Namely, the pulse period of the multi-pulse
train is 2T which is two times as large as the reference
period T.
Moreover, as shown in Figure 6, each of the recording
pulse trains forming the marks 4T and 5T is only
constituted of a first pulse and a last pulse and includes
no multi-path train in Example 1. The recording pulse
train forming the mark 3T is constituted of a single
pulse. Therefore, considering the first pulse and the
last pulse in combination, in the case of the recording
pulses of Example 1, an equal number of pulses is included
in each of the recording pulses for forming 2nT and (2n +
1)T recording marks where n is an integer equal to or
larger than 2.
When such recording pulse trains are used to form
recording marks, the pulse width of the pulse constituting
the multi-pulse train is almost equal to the reference
period T. The pulse width is approximately two times that
of a pulse constituting a conventional multi-pulse train.
It is possible to relatively reduce the influence of the
rising time and falling time of a laser in a pulse, so
that the recording mark becomes resistant to deformation.
Further, since the first pulse and the last pulse are
equal in width in each mark, the edge position of each
mark can be accurately recorded with ease. Particularly
when the edge position of the mark is varied and the
jitter of a reproduction signal is increased by recording
data on the optical disc at a high transfer rate, the
recording pulse trains of Example 1 are effective.
Figure 7 shows recording pulse trains according to
Example 2 of the present embodiment. As with Example 1 of
Figure 6, in the recording pulse trains for forming
recording marks 3T to 11T, an equal number of pulses
constitutes a multi-pulse train in each of 2nT and (2n +
1)T marks. Further, as the mark is increased in length by
2T, the number of pulses in the multi-pulse train is
increased by one.
Moreover, each of the recording pulse trains for
forming the recording marks 6T to 11T is constituted of a
first pulse, a multi-pulse train, and a last pulse train.
For example, the recording pulse train for forming the
recording mark 6T includes a first pulse 301 disposed at
the front, a last pulse 303 disposed at the backend, and a
multi-pulse train 302 disposed between the first pulse 301
and the last pulse 303. The recording pulse train for
forming the recording mark 7T includes a first pulse 304
disposed at the front, a last pulse 306 disposed at the
backend, and a multi-pulse train 305 disposed between the
first pulse 304 and the last pulse 306. The recording
pulse train for 3T only includes a first pulse. The
recording pulse trains for 4T and 5T are each constituted
only of a first pulse and a last pulse.
As shown in Figure 7 , as to the recording pulses
forming the recording marks, for the first pulse, the last
pulse, and the pulses of the multi-pulse train, an almost
equal interval is provided between adjacent pulses. In a
recording pulse train of even-numbered T, the first pulse
and the last pulse are different in width from the other
pulses. For example, the width is about 1.5T. The first
pulse and the last pulse in the recording pulse train of
an odd-numbered T is about IT in width and the pulses
constituting the multi-pulse trains of all the recording
marks are about IT in width.
According to the recording pulse trains of Example 2,
an interval between adjacent two pulses is almost equal in
each of the recording pulse trains. Thus, each of the
recording marks formed using the recording pulse trains of
Example 2 has an almost equal width in the radius
direction of the optical disc. Hence, by properly
selecting peak power of a laser diode, it is possible to
reduce crosstalk, which is a leakage of a reproduction
signal from an adjacent track, and jitter caused by cross
erase resulted from recording on an adjacent track.
Figure 8 shows recording pulse trains according to
Example 3 of the present embodiment. As with Example 1 of
Figure 6 , in the recording pulse trains for forming
recording marks 3T to 11T, an equal number of pulses
constitutes a multi-pulse train in each of 2nT and (2n +
1)T marks. Further, as the mark is increased in length by
2T, the number of pulses in a multi-pulse train is
increased by one.
Moreover, each of the recording pulse trains for
forming the recording marks 6T to 11T is constituted of a
first pulse, a multi-pulse train, and a last pulse train.
For example, the recording pulse train for forming the
recording mark 6T includes a first pulse 401 disposed at
the front, a last pulse 403 disposed at the backend, and a
multi-pulse train 402 disposed between the first pulse 401
and the last pulse 403. The recording pulse train for
forming the recording mark 7T includes a first pulse 404
disposed at the front, a last pulse 406 disposed at the
backend, and a multi-pulse train 405 disposed between the
first pulse 404 and the last pulse 406. The recording
pulse train for 3T only includes a first pulse. The
recording pulse trains for 4T and 5T are each constituted
only of a first pulse and a last pulse.
In the case of the recording pulse trains of Example
3, the front pulse of the multi-pulse train is different
in width from the other pulses in the recording pulse
train of an odd-numbered T mark. For example, the width
is about 1.5T. The first pulse, the last pulse, and
pulses other than the front pulse of the multi-pulse train
are almost equal in width in all the marks. The width is
about IT. As to a width between adjacent pulses, an
interval between the backend pulse of the multi-pulse
train and the last pulse is larger than an interval
between any other adjacent pulses in the odd-numbered T
mark. For example, an interval is about 1.5T between the
backend pulse of the multi-pulse train and the last pulse,
whereas an interval is about IT between any other adjacent
pulses .
Besides, when laser power is insufficient at the rear
of the odd-numbered T mark, instead of the front pulse of
the multi-pulse train, the pulse at the backend may be
larger in width than the other pulses. Further, an
interval between the first pulse and the front pulse of
the multi-pulse train may be larger than an interval
between the other intervals .
The recording pulse trains of Example 3 are
characterized by the features of the recording pulse
trains of both Example 1 and Example 2. In the event of
serious influence of a variation in the edge position of
the recording mark, the crosstalk of a reproduction
signal, and cross erase during recording, the influence
can be reduced by forming recording marks using the
recording pulse trains of Example 3.
Figure 9 shows recording pulse trains according to
Example 4 of the present embodiment. As with the above-
described examples, for example, the recording pulse train
for forming a recording mark 7T includes a first pulse 501
disposed at the front, a last pulse 503 disposed at the
backend, and a multi-pulse train 502 disposed between the
first pulse 501 and the last pulse 503. The recording
pulse train for forming a recording mark 8T includes a
first pulse 504 disposed at the front, a last pulse 506
disposed at the backend, and a multi-pulse train 505
disposed between the first pulse 504 and the last pulse
506.
In these recording pulse trains, the multi-pulse
trains 502 and 505 are each constituted of a single pulse.
Further, in recording pulse trains 9T and 10T, multi-pulse
trains 507 and 508 each include two pulses. In a
recording pulse train 11T, a multi-pulse train 509
includes three pulses .
In this way, according to the recording pulse trains
of Example 4, each of the multi-pulse trains includes an
equal number of pulses in the recording pulse trains for
forming recording marks (2n-l)T and 2nT where n represents
an integer equal to or larger than 4.
Therefore, as the mark is increased in length by 2T,
the number of pulses in the multi-pulse train is increased
by one. At this point, the multi-pulse is generated at
two kinds of timing. Even in the case of two recording
marks including multi-pulse trains, each having an equal
number of pulses, the front pulse of a multi-pulse train
for a mark of an odd-numbered reference period T precedes,
by 0.5T, the front pulse of a multi-pulse train for a mark
of an even-numbered reference period T. Namely, an
interval between the first pulse and the front pulse of
the multi-pulse train is 0.5T shorter in an odd-numbered
mark T. Moreover, an interval between the backend pulse
of the multi-pulse train and the last pulse is 0.5T
shorter in an odd-numbered mark T.
As shown in Figure 9, in the recording pulse trains
for forming the recording marks 3T to 11T, the first
pulse, the last pulse, and the pulses of the multi-pulse
train are almost equal in pulse width and the pulse width
is equal to the reference period T. The pulse interval of
the multi-pulse train is also equal to the reference
frequency T. Namely, the pulse period of the multi-pulse
train is 2T which is two times as large as the reference
period T.
Further, in Example 4, each of the recording pulse
trains forming the marks 5T and 6T is only constituted of
the first pulse and the last pulse and includes no multi-
pulse train. The recording pulse trains forming the marks
3T and 4T are each constituted of a single pulse.
However, the recording pulse train for 4T uses a first
pulse which is 0.5T longer than 3T . Therefore ,
considering the first pulse and the last pulse in
combination, in the case of the recording pulses of
Example 4, an equal number of pulses is included in each
of the recording pulse trains for forming (2n - 1)T and
2nT recording marks where n represents an integer equal to
or larger than 1.
When such recording pulse trains are used to form
recording marks, the pulse width of the pulse constituting
the multi-pulse train is almost equal to the reference
period T. The pulse width is approximately two times that
of a pulse constituting a conventional multi-pulse train.
It is possible to relatively reduce the influence of the
rising time and falling time of a laser in a pulse, so
that the recording mark becomes resistant to deformation.
Further, since the first pulse and the last pulse are
equal in width in each mark, the edge position of each
mark can be accurately recorded with ease. Particularly
when the edge position of the mark is varied and the
jitter of a reproduction signal is increased by recording
data on the optical disc at a high transfer rate, the
recording pulse trains of Example 4 are effective.
Figure 10 shows recording pulse trains according to
Example 5 of the present embodiment. As with Example 4 of
Figure 9, an equal number of pulses constitutes a multi-
pulse train in each of (2n - 1)T and 2nT marks in the
recording pulse trains for forming recording marks 3T to
11T. Further, as the mark is increased in length by 2T,
the number of pulses in the multi-pulse train is increased
by one.
Moreover, each of the recording pulse trains for
forming the recording marks 7T to 11T is constituted of a
first pulse, a multi-pulse train, and a last pulse train.
For example, the recording pulse train for forming the
recording mark 7T includes a first pulse 601 disposed at
the front, a last pulse 603 disposed at the backend, and a
multi-pulse train 602 disposed between the first pulse 601
and the last pulse 603. The recording pulse train for
forming the recording mark 8T includes a first pulse 604
disposed at the front, a last pulse 606 disposed at the
backend, and a multi-pulse train 605 disposed between the
first pulse 604 and the last pulse 606. The recording
pulse trains for 3T and 4T only include a first pulse.
The recording pulse trains for 5T and 6T are each
constituted only of a first pulse and a last pulse.
As shown in Figure 10, in the recording pulses for
forming each recording mark regarding the first pulse, the
last pulse, and the pulses of the multi-pulse train, an
interval is almost equal between adjacent pulses. In the
recording pulse train of even-numbered T, a first pulse
and a last pulse are different in width from the other
pulses. For example, the width is about 1.5T. The first
pulse and the last pulse in the recording pulse train of
an odd-numbered T is about IT in width and the pulses
constituting the multi-pulse trains of all the recording
marks are about IT in width.
According to the recording pulse trains of Example 5,
an interval between adjacent two pulses is almost equal in
each of the recording pulse trains . Thus , each of the
recording marks formed using the recording pulse trains of
Example 5 has an almost equal width in the radius
direction of the optical disc. Hence, by properly
selecting peak power of a laser diode, it is possible to
reduce crosstalk, which is a leakage of a reproduction
signal from an adjacent track, and jitter caused by cross
erase resulted from recording on an adjacent track.
Figure 11 shows recording pulse trains according to
Example 6 of the present embodiment . As with Example 4 of
Figure 9, an equal number of pulses constitutes a multi-
pulse train in each of (2n - 1)T and 2nT marks in the
recording pulse trains for forming recording marks 3T to
11T. Further, as the mark is increased in length by 2T,
the number of pulses in the multi-pulse train is increased
by one.
Moreover, each of the recording pulse trains for
forming the recording marks 7T to 11T is constituted of a
first pulse, a multi-pulse train, and a last pulse. For
example, the recording pulse train for forming the
recording mark 7T includes a first pulse 701 disposed at
the front, a last pulse 703 disposed at the backend, and a
multi-pulse train 702 disposed between the first pulse 701
and the last pulse 703. The recording pulse train for
forming the recording mark 7T includes a first pulse 704
disposed at the front, a last pulse 706 disposed at the
backend, and a multi-pulse train 705 disposed between the
first pulse 704 and the last pulse 706. The recording
pulse trains for 3T and 4T only include first pulses. The
recording pulse trains for 7T and 6T are each constituted
only of a first pulse and a last pulse.
In the recording pulse trains of Example 6, the front
pulse of the multi-pulse train is different in width from
the other pulses in the recording pulse train of an even-
numbered T mark. For example, the width is about 1.5T .
The first pulse, the last pulse, and pulses other than the
front pulse of the multi-pulse train are almost equal in
width in all the marks . The width is about I . As to a
width between adjacent pulses, an interval between the
backend pulse of the multi-pulse train and the last pulse
is larger than an interval between any other adjacent
pulses in the odd-numbered T mark. For example, an
interval is about 1.5T between the backend pulse of the
multi-pulse train and the last pulse, whereas an interval
is about IT between any other adjacent pulses.
Besides, when laser power is insufficient at the rear
of the odd-numbered T mark, instead of the front pulse of
the multi-pulse train, the pulse at the backend may be
larger in width than the other pulses. Further, an
interval between the first pulse and the front pulse of
the multi-pulse train may be larger than an interval
between the other intervals.
The recording pulse trains of Example 6 are
characterized by the features of the recording pulse
trains of both Example 1 and Example 2. In the event of
serious influence of a variation in the edge position of
the recording mark, the crosstalk of a reproduction
signal, and cross erase during recording, the influence
can be reduced by forming recording marks using the
recording pulse trains of Example 6.
In this way, according to the present embodiment, the
period of the pulse in the multi-pulse train is set at 2T,
which is longer than the reference period T of a recording
modulation code. Hence, even when a recording speed is
increased, the influence of the rising time and falling
time of a laser is reduced, achieving correct recording.
Besides, in the above-described examples, recording
is performed on the optical disc 101 with binary power of
peak power and bias power. The kinds of power are not
limited. Three or more kinds of power may be used for
recording.
The recording pulse train of Example 7 in Figure 12
is different from that of Example 1 in Figure 6 in that
the amplitude of a first pulse and a last pulse of an odd-
numbered T other than 3T is larger, that is, laser
irradiation power corresponding to a high level is larger
than those of the other pulses .
As shown in Figure 12 , an equal number of pulses is
included in each of a recording pulse train 2nT and a
recording pulse train (2n + 1)T where n represents an
integer equal to or larger than 2. The recording mark ( 2n
+ 1)T needs to be formed longer than recording mark 2nT.
Thus, when the recording mark (2n + 1)T is formed, a heat
quantity may become insufficient as compared with the
formation of the recording mark 2nT. For this reason, the
first pulse and the last pulse are made larger in laser
irradiation power than the other pulses. For example, the
laser power of the first pulse and the last pulse are set
at the power greater than those of other pulses and at 1.5
times those of other pulses or less. In order to produce
such recording pulse trains, for example, the control
section 104 may include another current source outputting
a current greater than the current source 121 and a pair
of switches connected with each other to form a series
connection of the current source and the pair of switches.
Also, the recording compensating section 108 may be
adjusted so as to generate control signals which make the
pair of switches in an ON state, in the case where the
even-numbered recording pulse train having a recording
mark of 5T or greater is to be generated.
By providing equal power for the pulses constituting
the marks which are 2T apart, it is possible to utilize a
regularity in generating the recording pulse trains .
Therefore, the configurations of the control section 104
and the recording compensating section 108 can be
simplified, compared to the case where each of the
recording pulse train is generated so as to compensate the
respective marks individually.
With these configurations, it is possible to prevent
insufficient laser irradiation power from reducing the
width of the recording mark between the first pulse and
the front pulse of the multi-pulse train and between the
backend pulse of the multi-pulse train and the last pulse
where a pulse interval is longer than that of the
recording pulse train 2nT. Hence, the recording mark can
be formed with a correct mark width.
Instead of increasing the last pulse of the recording
pulse train (2n + 1)T in laser irradiation power, the
backend pulse of the multi-pulse train in the recording
pulse train (2n + 1)T may be increased in laser
irradiation power. Further, the recording pulse train 3T
and the recording pulse train 4T may be different from
each other in laser irradiation power.
Similarly, also in the recording pulse trains of
Examples 2 to 6, by correcting irradiation power of the
predetermined pulses, it is possible to compensate for
insufficient laser irradiation power which is caused by
equalizing the numbers of pulses in the recording pulse
trains 2nT and (2n + 1)T or the recording pulse trains (2n
- 1)T and 2nT.
Figure 13 shows a variation example of the recording
pulse trains according to Example 2. The amplitude of a
first pulse and a last pulse in a recording pulse train
2nT, that is, the laser irradiation power is made larger
than those of the other pulses .
Figure 14 shows a variation example of the recording
pulse trains according to Example 3. The front pulse of a
multi-pulse in a recording pulse train (2n + 1)T is
reduced in laser irradiation power, and a backend pulse is
increased in laser irradiation power.
Figure 15 shows a variation example of the recording
pulse trains according to Example 4. Laser irradiation
power is increased at a first pulse and the backend pulse
of the front pulse of the multi-pulse in a recording pulse
train 2nT.
Figure 16 shows a variation example of the recording
pulse trains according to Example 5. Laser irradiation
power is increased at the first pulse and the last pulse
in a recording pulse train 2nT.
Figure 17 shows a variation example of the recording
pulse trains according to Example 6. Irradiation power is
increased at the multi-pulse in a recording pulse train
2nT.
Additionally, in the present embodiment, a level may
be provided in the recording pulse train to drive a laser
diode with power lower than bias power. For example, a
period with power lower than bias power may be provided on
the rising position of the first pulse, the falling
position of the last pulse, at a certain time after the
last pulse, or before and after the multi-pulse.
According to the present embodiment, even when a recording
speed is increased, the influence of the rising time and
falling time of a laser is reduced. Thus, the present
embodiment is also effective when power lower than the
bias power rises to peak power. In this case, fine
adjustments may be performed on the end positions of these
periods for each of the marks by the recording
compensating section 108. Hence, the marks can be
recorded on more accurate positions.
Further, in the examples explained referring Figures
12 to 17, the outputs of the peak powers at the
predetermined pulses are changed. However, other powers,
such as bias powers, used for forming the mark on an
optical disc may be changed to adjust the laser
irradiation power. In this case, the mark having a more
suitable shape can be formed on an optical disc.
Further, adjustments may be made on, for example,
irradiation power of some or all segments of the first
pulse, some or all of the multi-pulses, and some or all
segments of the last pulse, the adjustments being made for
each or all of the marks in common by the recording
compensating section 108 and the light beam control
section 104. Thus, the marks can be recorded on more
accurate positions.
Additionally, the irradiation start position
information, irradiation width information, irradiation
end information, and irradiation power information of the
first pulse, the last pulse, and the multi-pulse may be
recorded on an optical disc. By recording these kinds of
information on the optical disc, the optical disc device
can handle a variety of optical discs, thereby increasing
the flexibility of a design in the manufacturing of the
optical disc.
Moreover, a code may be recorded on an optical disc
to identify the recording method of Figure 2 having an
equal number of pulses in each of the recording pulse
trains 2nT and (2n + 1)T and the recording method of
Figure 6 having an equal number of pulses in each of the
recording pulse trains (2n - 1)T and 2nT. Hence, it is
possible to select a recording method according to the
characteristic of an optical disc, thereby increasing the
flexibility of a design in the manufacturing of optical
discs.
Further, mark constitution information may be
recorded on the optical disc to discriminate whether each
of the recording marks 3T to 11T is constituted of a
single pulse, only a first pulse, only a first pulse and a
last pulse, or all of a first pulse, a multi-pulse, and a
last pulse.
When these kinds of information are recorded on an
optical disc, for example, recording is performed on a
disc information area on the innermost periphery of the
optical disc. The information can be read during startup
right after the loading of the optical disc into the
optical disc device or just before data is recorded.
With the pulse waveform configuration according to
the present embodiment, as compared with the conventional
art in which the number of multi-pulses is increased by
one every IT, the width of the multi-pulse and an interval
between adjacent multi-pulses are almost doubled. Even
when a recording speed is increased, recording can be
correctly performed.
Further, in addition to a multi-pulse, a pulse width
of a given pulse including a first pulse and a last pulse
and a pulse interval between any adjacent pulses are set
at about IT, so that the effect can be enhanced.
Moreover, the present embodiment provides regularity
so that the number of the multi-pulses is increased by one
every 2T, so that multi-pulses can be produced with a
simple configuration as the multi-pulses produced every
IT.
The present embodiment described the phase-change
disc. The present embodiment is also applicable to a
magneto-optical disc with the same effect as the present
embodiment .
(Embodiment 2)
As described in Embodiment 1, by equalizing the
number of pulses in each multi-pulse train of recording
pulse trains 2nT and (2n + 1)T or recording pulse trains
(2n - 1)T and 2nT, the two recording pulse trains may be
different from each other in laser irradiation power.
This is because a duty of a mark/space or an average value
is different between the multi-pulse trains.
Figures 18A and 18B show recording marks and
reproduction signals obtained from the formed recording
marks . The recording marks are formed by a recording
pulse train 2 for forming a mark 9T of Figure 10 and a
recording pulse train 8 for forming a mark 10T.
As shown in Figure 18A, in the recording pulse
train 2, a first pulse 9 and a last pulse 10 each have a
pulse width of IT and supplies mark forming thermal energy
suitable for a recording film of an optical disc. Thus, a
recording mark 4 to be formed has an almost even width and
a reproduction signal 6 is almost shaped like a trapezoid
with a mark center not being recessed. Namely, the
reproduction signal 6 is appropriate.
On the other hand, in the recording pulse train 8,
since a first pulse 11 and a last pulse 12 each have a
width of 1.5T, mark forming thermal energy is increased on
the leading edge and the trailing edge of the mark. Thus,
a recording mark 13 to be formed is increased in width on
its leading edge and trailing edge, so that the mark 13 is
shaped like an array. A reproduction signal 14, which is
obtained from the recording mark 13 shaped like an array,
has a double-humped waveform which is distorted by
increased amplitude on a rising edge and a falling edge.
When such a double-humped reproduction signal 14 is
converted to a digital signal by binarization or AD
conversion, jitter occurs on the rising edge and the
falling edge of the waveform, resulting in a bit error
during reproduction.
In the present embodiment, in order to obtain proper
mark forming thermal energy in each of the recording pulse
trains, the pulse position and the pulse width of the
multi-pulse train are set while a duty value or an average
value of amplitude of the multi-pulse trains is used as a
target .
Figure 19 shows a recording pulse train 16 of the
present embodiment, a recording mark 15 formed by the
recording pulse train 16, and a reproduction signal 17
obtained by the recording mark 15. The following will
describe an example in which a recording modulation code
has a length of 10T.
The recording pulse train 16 is constituted of a
first pulse 18, a multi-pulse train 19, and a last pulse
20.
The timing of the first pulse 18 is set by first
pulse rising timing TSFP and first pulse falling timing
TEFP. Meanwhile, the timing of the last pulse 20 is set
by last pulse rising timing TSLP and last pulse falling
timing TELP. The arrangement of the multi-pulse train 19
is set by the rising timing TSMP and a pulse width TMP of
a multi-pulse train.
The following will discuss a change in parameter
constituting such a recording pulse train 16 and a
relationship between the shape of the recording mark 15
and the waveform of the reproduction signal 17.
A leading edge position 21 of the recording mark 15
is determined by the first pulse rising timing TSFP.
The leading edge position 21 of the recording mark 15
is shifted by thermal interference from the previous
recording mark, so that the reproduction signal 17 is
changed as indicated by an arrow 22 of Figure 19. In
order to control the leading edge position 21 of the
recording mark 15 to a proper position, the first pulse
rising timing TSFP is properly set according to a length
of the previous space and a length of the recording mark
15. Hence, no matter how the previous space and the
following recording mark is combined, the leading edge
position 21 of the recording mark can be controlled to a
proper position according to the recording modulation
code, reducing jitter components on a leading edge 22 of
the waveform of the reproduction signal.
On the other hand, a trailing edge position 23 of the
recording mark 15 is determined by the last pulse falling
timing TELP. The trailing edge position 23 of the
recording mark 15 is shifted by thermal interference from
the following recording mark, so that the reproduction
signal 17 is changed as indicated by an arrow 24 of Figure
19.
In order to control the trailing edge position 23 of
the recording mark 15 to a proper position, the last pulse
falling timing TSLP is properly set according to a length
of the previous space and a length of the recording mark
15. Hence, no matter how the recording mark and the
following space are combined, the trailing edge position
23 of the recording mark can be controlled to a proper
position according to the recording modulation code,
reducing jitter components on a trailing edge 24 of the
waveform of the reproduction signal.
A leading edge width 25 of the recording mark 15 is
determined by the first pulse falling timing TEFP. The
first pulse falling timing TEFP determines a width of the
first pulse 18 and permits the control of thermal energy
applied to the leading edge of the recording mark, so that
the leading edge width 25 of the recording mark can be
controlled to a proper width. Like the leading edge
position 21 of the recording mark, the leading edge width
25 of the recording mark is less affected by thermal
interference from the previous recording mark and a code
length of the recording mark 15. Hence, the first pulse
falling timing TEFP is generally set at a constant value
regardless of a code length of the previous space and a
code length of the recording mark 15.
The first pulse falling timing TEFP is set thus, so
that the leading edge width 25 of the recording mark can
be controlled to a proper width and an overshoot 26 can be
reduced on the leading edge of the reproduction signal 17.
Hence, in a reproduction signal obtained by a long
recording modulation code, it is possible to reduce jitter
components caused by changes in amplitude on the leading
edge.
A trailing edge width 27 of the recording mark 15 is
determined by the last pulse rising timing TSLP. The last
pulse rising timing TSLP determines a width of the last
pulse 20 and permits the control of thermal energy applied
to the trailing edge of the recording mark, so that the
trailing edge width 27 of the recording mark can be
controlled to a proper width. Like the trailing edge
position 23 of the recording mark, the trailing edge width
27 of the recording mark is less affected by thermal
interference from the following recording mark and a code
length of the recording mark 15. Hence, the last pulse
rising timing TSLP is generally set at a constant value
regardless of a code length of the following space and a
code length of the recording mark 15.
The last pulse rising timing TSLP is set thus, so
that the trailing edge width 27 of the recording mark 15
can be controlled to a proper width and an overshoot 28
can be reduced on the trailing edge of the reproduction
signal 17. Hence, in a reproduction signal obtained by a
long recording modulation code, it is possible to reduce
jitter components caused by changes in amplitude on the
trailing edge.
A width 29 around the center of the recording mark 15
is determined by the rising timing TSMP of the multi-pulse
train and a multi-pulse train width TMP. As described in
Embodiment 1, the period of the multi-pulse train is set
at 2T, so that a laser diode can be positively driven by
the multi-pulse train even at a high transfer rate.
In the case of recording at a high transfer rate with
a high density, the irradiation time of a laser beam is
shorter as compared with recording at a low transfer rate
with a low density. Thus, it is necessary to more
accurately set a width of the multi-pulse train to form a
proper recording mark width. Moreover, when the period of
the multi-pulse train is set at 2T, the width TMP of the
multi-pulse train and a space 33 of the multi-pulse train
are made larger than the period IT, so that thermal energy
is likely to be unevenly distributed. Hence, the proper
setting of the multi-pulse train is important to form a
recording mark of an optimum width.
A mark is formed around the center of the recording
mark 15 according to the total thermal energy of the
multi-pulse train 19. Thus, the configuration of the
multi-pulse train 19 is determined by the rising timing
TSMP of the multi-pulse train 19 and the pulse width TMP
of the pulse constituting the multi-pulse train 19, and it
is possible to control thermal energy applied to a portion
around the center of the main part of the recording mark.
Therefore, it is possible to adjust the width 29 around
the center of the recording mark 15 to a proper width.
In this way, the width 29 around the center of the
recording mark 15 is adjusted to a proper width, thereby
reducing a change 30 in amplitude around the center of the
reproduction signal 17. Hence, it is possible to reduce
jitter components caused by a change in amplitude in the
reproduction signal 17 obtained by a long recording
modulation code.
As described above, a portion around the center of
the recording mark 17 is formed by the total thermal
/ energy of the multi-pulse train 19. At this point, an
area including the multi-pulse train 19 can be defined by
two different definitions. A different definition is used
according to a sensitivity of a recording material and a
mark recording speed of the optical disc.
In the optical disc which is relatively low in mark
recording speed and has a recording material of a low
recording sensitivity, the formation of a mark around the
center of the main part of the recording mark 15 is
associated with and affected mainly by a range from the
rising timing of a front multi-pulse 19A, which is
disposed at the front of the multi-pulse train 19, to the
falling timing of a backend multi-pulse 19C, which is
disposed at the backend of the multi-pulse train. This
range will be referred to as a first multi-pulse area 31.
On the other hand, in an optical disc which is high
in mark recording speed and has a recording material of a
high recording sensitivity, the formation of a mark around
the center of the recording mark 15 is associates with and
affected mainly by a range from first pulse falling timing
TEFP to the rising timing TSLP of the last pulse
constituting the recording pulse train. This range will
be referred to as a second multi-pulse area 32.
Further, according to a process for forming a mark of
a recording material of the optical disc, two kinds of
indexes are present which indicate thermal energy for the
formation of a portion around the center of the recording
mark 15.
In the case of an optical disc having a recording
material in which a certain cooling time for a light
irradiation portion in the multi-pulse area, that is, the
space 33 of the multi-pulse train 19 is important to form
the portion around the center of the recording mark 15, a
multi-pulse duty is used as an index of thermal energy.
The multi-pulse duty is a value obtained by dividing the
multi-pulse width TMP by the period of the multi-pulse
train (2T in Figure 19) in the multi-pulse area.
On the other hand, in the case of an optical disc
having a recording material in which an average light
irradiation energy in the multi-pulse area is important
(or correlation is strong) to form a portion around the
center of the recording mark 15, a multi-pulse amplitude
average value is used as an index of thermal energy. The
multi-pulse amplitude average value is a value obtained by
dividing an amplitude integral of the multi-pulse area by
a time width of the multi-pulse area.
As described above, a multi-pulse duty and a multi-
pulse amplitude average value are used as evaluation
indexes, the rising timing TSMP of the multi-pulse train
19 and the multi-pulse train width TMP are adjusted, and
the width 29 around the center of the recording mark 15 is
properly maintained.
Further, in order to make even the width 25 on the
leading edge of the recording mark, the width 29 around
the center of the recording mark, and the width 27 on the
trailing edge of the recording mark in a more balanced
manner, setting is preferably performed at the following
timing:
Setting is made to equalize a front space width FSP
between the first pulse 18 and the front pulse 19A of the
multi-pulse 19 and a backend space width LSP between the
backend pulse 19C of the multi-pulse 19 and the last pulse
20. In this way, setting is made to FSP = LSP, so that
energy applied by the multi-pulse 19 is emitted to a
portion around the center of the recording mark in a
balanced manner without being biased to the leading edge
or the trailing edge of the recording mark. Therefore,
the widths 25, 29, and 27 of the recording mark are made
almost equal and a recording mark can be formed with equal
widths in the longitudinal direction.
As described above, a multi-pulse duty and a multi-
pulse amplitude average value are used as indexes and the
rising timing TSMP of a multi-pulse train, the width TMP,
the width FSP of the front space, and the width LSP of the
backend space of the multi-pulse train in the multi-pulse
area are set so that these parameters serve as
predetermined targets. Thus, even in the case of
recording at a high transfer rate with a high density, a
recording mark can be formed with a proper width.
Therefore, it is possible to reduce a reduction 30 in
waveform amplitude around the center of a reproduction
signal and reduce jitter components caused by a change in
amplitude of a reproduction signal waveform in a long
recording modulation code.
Referring to Figure 20, the following will describe a
specific method for calculating each timing of the
recording pulse train 16 according to the present
embodiment. Figure 20 shows a reference clock, a
recording modulation code, a recording pulse train of an
even-numbered nT, and a recording pulse train of an odd-
numbered nT in this order from the above. The horizontal
direction of Figure 20 serves as a time base.
The recording modulation code 35 has a recording
modulation code length n times (n is a natural number
equal to or larger than 1) as large as a reference clock
period T34, which is a reference unit length. When n is
an even number, a pulse falls on a position indicated by
an even-numbered nT36. When n is an odd number, a pulse
falls on a position indicated by an odd-numbered nT37.
When the recording modulation code 35 is modulated by RLL
(2, 10) modulating scheme as Embodiment 1, a code length
is 3T to 11T.
As described above, the recording pulse train 16 is
constituted of the first pulse 18, the multi-pulse train
19, and the last pulse 20.
The timing of the first pulse 18 is determined by the
rising timing TSFP of the first pulse 18 and the falling
timing TEFP of the first pulse 18. Since the value of
TSFP does not affect the subsequent arithmetic results of
the multi-pulse train, the value is not shown to simplify
the explanation. The value is set at TSFP = 0. As
described with reference to Figure 19, TSFP is properly
set according to a code length of the previous space and a
code length of the recording mark. As described above,
TEFP is generally set at a constant value regardless of a
code length of the previous space and a code length of the
recording mark.
On the other hand, the timing of the last pulse 20 is
determined by the rising timing TSLP of the last pulse 20
and the falling timing TELP of the last pulse 20. As
described above, TSLP is set at a constant value
regardless of a code length of the following space and a
code length of the recording mark. TSLP (not shown) is
set like TSLP = 0 which reduces an overshoot on the
trailing edge of a reproduction waveform. As described
with reference to Figure 19, TELP is properly set
according to a code length of the following space and a
code length of the recording mark.
The following will describe a method for calculating
the rising timing TSMP of the multi-pulse train 19 in the
multi-pulse area, the width TMP of the multi-pulse train,
the width FSP of the front space, and the timing of the
width LSP of the backend space.
Example 1 will be discussed below. In Example 1, the
range affecting a width around the center of the recording
mark is the first multi-pulse area 31. An index for
controlling the timing of the multi-pulse train is a
multi-pulse duty.
First, operations will be performed for a case 38
where a recording modulation code length is an even-
numbered nT. In the case of the even-numbered nT, the
rising timing TSMP of the multi-pulse train 19 is
calculated relative to even-numbered reference timing TRE,
which is delayed by 2T from the rising timing of the
recording modulation code 35.
As shown in Figure 20, the width FSP of the front
space and the width LSP of the backend space are
determined by an operation (40) below.
FSP = 2T - TEFP + TSMP
LSP = 2T - TMP - TSMP ... (40)
Further, when FSP = LSP is set as described above in
order to keep a balance between the leading edge and the
trailing edge of the recording mark width, according to
the operation (40), the rising timing TSMP of the multi-
pulse train is obtained by an operation (41) below.
TSMP = (TEFP - TMP)/2 ... (41)
Operations will be performed for a case 39 where a
recording modulation code length is an odd-numbered nT.
TSMP of an odd-numbered nT is calculated relative to
odd-numbered reference timing TRO, which is delayed by 3T
from the rising timing of the recording modulation code
35.
Referring to Figure 20, the width FSP of the front
space and the width LSP of the backend space are
determined by an operation (42) below.
FSP = 3T - TEFP + TSMP
LSP = 2T - TSMP - TMP ... (42)
When FSP = LSP is set as described above in order to
keep a balance between the leading edge and the trailing
edge of the recording mark width, according to the
operation (42), the rising timing TSMP of the multi-pulse
train is obtained by an operation (43) below.
TSMP = (TEFP - TMP - lT)/2 ... (43)
On the other hand, the multi-pulse duty MPD serving
as a control target is a value obtained by dividing the
width TMP of the multi-pulse train 19 by the period (2T in
Figure 20) of the multi-pulse train 19 in the first multi-
pulse area 31. Thus, the multi-pulse duty MPD is obtained
by an operation (44) below.
MPD = TMP/2T
Thus, TMP = 2T-MPD ... (44)
As described above, the falling timing TEFP of the
first pulse 18 is set at a constant value regardless of a
code length of the previous space and a code length of the
recording mark. In this example, TEFP is set at a value
indicated below which causes less overshoot on the leading
edge of the waveform of a reproduction signal.
TEFP = 1.5T
Further, as the multi-pulse duty MPD required to properly
keep the width 29 around the center of the recording mark,
a value is selected which causes a smaller reduction in
waveform amplitude around the center of a reproduction
signal. According to observation results on the waveform
of the reproduction signal, the proper value of MPD in the
present example is expressed by the equation below.
MPD = 0.5
The values of TEFP and MPD are substituted into the
operational expressions (40) to (44) to calculate the
timing values of FSP, LSP, TSMP, and TMP in the recording
modulation code length. Figure 21 shows recording pulse
trains obtained thus according to the present example.
As shown in Figure 21, the multi-pulse duty MPD in
the first multi-pulse area 31 has an equal value of 0.5 at
each of the recording modulation code lengths. Moreover,
the width FSP of the front space and the width FSP of the
backend space are equal in the same recording modulation
code.
In this way, according to the present example,
irradiation thermal energy and cooling time around the
center of the recording mark are equal at each of the
recording modulation code lengths, and thermal energy on
the leading edge and the trailing edge does not lose its
balance over the recording modulation codes. Hence, for a
recording modulation code of any length, it is possible to
stably form a recording mark having an equal width from a
leading edge to a trailing edge.
In the case of an optical disc which is relatively
low in mark recording speed, has a recording material of
low sensitivity, and requires a certain cooling time for a
light irradiation portion of the multi-pulse area, the
recording pulse trains of Figure 21 are used to record
data, so that the width of the formed recording mark can
be evenly controlled from the leading edge to the trailing
edge. Hence, without causing a reproduction signal to
have a double-humped waveform of Figure 18, recording can
be performed with a small reduction in waveform amplitude
around the center of a reproduction signal.
The following will describe Example 2 of the present
embodiment. In Example 2, the range affecting a mark
width around the center of a recording mark is the first
multi-pulse area 31 and an index for controlling the
timing of a multi-pulse train is a multi-pulse amplitude
average value.
As shown in Figure 20, in the case of an even-
numbered nT, the rising timing TSMP of the multi-pulse
train 19 is calculated relative to the even-numbered
reference timing TRE, which is delayed by 2T from the
rising timing of the recording modulation code 35. In the
case of an odd-numbered nT, TSMP is calculated relative to
the odd-numbered reference timing TRO, which is delayed by
3T from the rising timing of the recording modulation code
35.
Referring to Figure 20, the width FSP of the front
space and the width LSP of the backend space are obtained
by an operation (45) below.
FSP = 2T - TEFP + TSMP (even-numbered nT)
FSP = 3T - TEFP + TSMP (odd-numbered nT)
LSP = 2T - TMP - TSMP ... (45)
When FSP = LSP is set as described above in order to
maintain an even width of the recording mark, according to
the operation (45), the rising timing TSMP of the multi-
pulse train 19 is obtained by an operation (46) below.
TSMP = (TEFP - TMP)/2 (even-numbered nT)
TSMP = (TEFP - TMP - lT)/2 (odd-numbered nT)
... (46)
On the other hand, a multi-pulse amplitude average
value MPM serving as a control target is obtained by
dividing an amplitude integral of the first multi-pulse
area 31 by a time width of the first multi-pulse area.
Thus, the multi-pulse amplitude average value MPM is
calculated by an operation (47) below Figure 20 where
INT(X) is a function for calculating an integer of a value
X.
MPM = TMP-INT{(nT - 4T)/2}/(nT - 2T - TEFP - FSP -
LSP) ... (47)
When operational expression (46) is substituted into
operational expression (47) and a multi-pulse width TMP is
calculated, the following operational expression (48) is
obtained.
TMP = MPM-(nT-6)/[INT{(nT-4)/2)} - MPM] (even-numbered
nT)
TMP = MPM-(nT - 7)/[INT{(nT-4)/2)} - MPM] (odd-numbered nT)
... (48)
In the present example, the falling timing TEFP of
the first pulse 18 is set at a constant value regardless
of a code length of the previous space and a code length
of the recording mark as described above. In the present
example, a value is set below which causes less overshoot
of a waveform on the leading edge of a reproduction
signal.
TEFP = 1.5T
Further, for the multi-pulse amplitude average value
MPM required to properly keep the width 29 around the
center of the recording mark, a value is selected which
causes a smaller reduction in waveform amplitude around
the center of a reproduction signal. According to
observation results on the waveform of the reproduction
signal, a proper value is expressed by MPM = 0.5 in the
present example.
The values of TEFP and MPD are substituted into the
operational expressions (45) to (48) to calculate the
timing values of FSP, LSP, TSMP, and TMP in each of the
recording modulation codes. Figure 22 shows the waveforms
of the recording pulse trains obtained thus according to
the present example.
As shown in Figure 22, multi-pulse amplitude average
values MPM in the first multi-pulse area 31 are all equal
to 0.5 regardless of a recording modulation code.
Moreover, the width FSP of the front space and the width
FSP of the backend space are also equal in the same
recording modulation code.
In this way, according to the present example,
average irradiation energy around the center of the
recording mark is equal in each of the recording
modulation codes, and thermal energy on the leading edge,
the trailing edge, and the portion around the center of
the mark does not lose its balance over the recording
modulation codes. Therefore, with the recording
modulation codes, it is possible to stably form a
recording mark having an equal width from a leading edge
to a trailing edge.
On an optical disc in which a mark recording speed is
relatively low, a recording material has a low
sensitivity, and average light irradiation energy in the
multi-pulse area is important to form the recording marks,
it is possible to form a recording mark with an even width
from a leading edge to a trailing edge by using the
recording pulse trains of Figure 22. Hence, without
causing a reproduction signal to have a double-humped
waveform of Figure 18, recording can be performed with a
small reduction in waveform amplitude around the center of
a reproduction signal.
Example 3 will be described below. In Example 3, the
range affecting a mark width around the center of a
recording mark is the second multi-pulse area 32 and an
index for controlling the timing of a multi-pulse train is
a multi-pulse amplitude average value.
As shown in Figure 20, the width FSP of the front
space and the width LSP of the backend space are
calculated by an equation (49) below Figure 20 as Example
2.
FSP = 2T - TEFP + TSMP (even-numbered nT)
FSP = 3T - TEFP + TSMP (odd-numbered nT)
LSP = 2T - TMP - TSMP ... (49)
Further, when FSP = LSP is set as described above in
order to maintain an even width of the recording mark,
according to the operation (49), the rising timing TSMP of
the multi-pulse train is obtained by an operation (50)
below.
TSMP = (TEFP - TMP)/2 (even-numbe ed nT)
TSMP = (TEFP - TMP - lT)/2 (odd-numbered nT)
... (50)
On the other hand, a multi-pulse amplitude average
value MPM serving as a control target is obtained by
dividing an amplitude integral of the second multi-pulse
area 32 by a time width of the second multi-pulse area 32.
Thus, the multi-pulse amplitude average value MPM is
calculated by an operation (51) below where INT(X) is a
function for calculating an integer of a value X.
MPM = TMP-INT{(nT - 4T)/2}/(nT - 2T - TEFP)
... (51)
When the multi-pulse width TMP is calculated by the
expression (51), an operational expression (52) is
obtained.
TMP = MPM-(nT - 2T - TEFP) /INT { (nT - 4)/2)}
... (52)
In the present example, the falling timing TEFP of
the first pulse 18 is set at a constant value regardless
of a code length of the previous space and a code length
of the recording mark as described above. In the present
example, a value is set below which causes less overshoot
of a waveform on the leading edge of a reproduction
signal.
TEFP = 1.5T
Further, as the multi-pulse amplitude average value
MPM required to properly keep the width 29 around the
center of the recording mark, a value is selected which
causes a smaller reduction in waveform amplitude around
the center of a reproduction signal. According to
observation results on the waveform of the reproduction
signal, a proper value is expressed by MPM = 0.5 in the
present example.
The values of TEFP and MPD are substituted into the
operational expressions (49) to (52) to calculate the
timing values of FSP, LSP, TSMP, and TMP in each of the
recording modulation codes. Figure 23 shows the waveforms
of the recording pulse trains obtained thus according to
the present example.
As shown in Figure 23, multi-pulse amplitude average
values MPM in the second multi-pulse area 32 are all equal
to 0.5 regardless of a recording modulation code.
Moreover, the width FSP of the front space and the width
FSP of the backend space are also equal in the same
recording modulation code.
In this way, according to the present example,
average irradiation energy around the center of the
recording mark is equal in each of the recording
modulation codes, and thermal energy on the leading edge,
the trailing edge, and a portion around the center of the
mark does not lose its balance over the recording
modulation codes. Therefore, it is possible to stably
form a recording mark having an equal width from a leading
edge to a trailing edge.
On an optical disc in which a mark recording speed is
relative high, a recording material has a high
sensitivity, and average light irradiation energy in the
multi-pulse area is important to form the recording marks,
it is possible to form a recording mark with an even width
from a leading edge to a trailing edge by using the
recording pulse trains of Figure 23. Hence, without
causing a reproduction signal to have a double-humped
waveform of Figure 18, recording can be performed with a
small reduction in waveform amplitude around the center of
a reproduction signal.
In the present embodiment, the timing values (FSP,
LSP, TSMP, and TMP) of the recording pulse train to be
controlled are calculated and set for each of the
recording modulation codes. However, in order to shorten
the setting time of a recording device, to reduce the
circuit size of the recording device, or to simplify the
circuit, two kinds of timing values may be set for an
even-numbered nT and an odd-numbered nT of the recording
modulation code length. For example, in the recording
pulse trains of Figure 21, operations are performed for
each of the recording modulation codes to calculate each
timing value, resulting in two kinds of arithmetic results
for an even-numbered nT and an odd-numbered nT. Namely,
the timing values are expressed as below.
Even-numbered nT:
FSP = LSP = 0 . 75T
TMP = L OT
TSMP = 0 . 25T
Odd-numbered nT:
FSP = LSP = 1.25T
TMP = LOT
TSMP = -0.25T
Further, for the same reason, each of the recording
modulation codes may be divided into code length groups
which are classified according to a code length, and the
timing values (FSP, LSP, TSMP, TMP) of the recording pulse
may be set at an equal value in a code length group.
Alternatively, in order to reduce the circuit size or
the like, the timing values (FSP, LSP, TSMP, TMP) of the
recording pulse may be all set at an equal value
regardless of a recording modulation code length.
Meanwhile, in Examples 1 to 3 of the present
embodiment, a target value of a multi-pulse duty or a
multi-pulse amplitude average value is set according to
the observation results on the waveform of a reproduction
signal, and the timing values of all the recording pulse
trains are determined using the value. However, in order
to control the width of the recording mark more
accurately, the following steps may be applicable: the
recording modulation code is divided into specific code
groups, a target value of a multi-pulse duty or multi-
pulse amplitude average value is set for each of the code
groups, and a timing value is determined using a different
target value for each of the code groups. Furthermore, in
order to control the width of the recording mark more
accurately, division may be made into two kinds of an
even-numbered nT and an odd-numbered nT of a recording
modulation code to set a target value of an index or set a
target value for each of the recording modulation code
lengths .
Referring to Figure 24, the following will describe a
method for evaluating a reproduction signal to decide
whether or not a multi-pulse duty and a multi-pulse
amplitude average value are proper that are the indexes of
the timing values in the recording pulse train.
When a multi-pulse duty and a multi-pulse amplitude
average value are not proper, energy for irradiating a
portion around the center of the recording mark become
insufficient. Thus, the center of the mark is reduced in
width and a double-humped mark 5 is formed with a smaller
width around the center of the mark. When the double-
humped mark 5 is reproduced, a reproduction signal 7 is
reduced in waveform amplitude value around the center,
resulting in a distorted waveform having a double-humped
shape .
A binarizing slice level 57 for converting the
reproduction signal 7 into digital data is normally set at
about a half the maximum amplitude of the waveform of the
reproduction signal 7. Hence, in the case of a proper
slice level, a binarized digital signal 59 is acquired.
When a slice level is increased and a binarized slice
level 58 is set, a portion reduced in amplitude around the
center of the reproduction signal 7 is cut by the
binarizing slice level 58 and a binarized digital signal
60 including a pulse of two pulses is generated. Since a
low level 61 occurs halfway through the binarized digital
signal 60, reproduction cannot be performed to a correct
recording modulation code.
Therefore, a multi-pulse duty and a multi-pulse
amplitude average value in the multi-pulse area are
firstly set and the timing values of the recording pulse
train are determined by using the set values according to
the above method. A recording mark is formed on the
optical disc by using the determined recording pulse
train. Subsequently, a reproduction signal obtained from
the formed recording mark is binarized using a binarizing
slice level higher than an ordinary slice level. It is
decided whether or not the obtained binarized signal
includes a low level and forms two pulses.
When the binarized signal includes two pulses, it is
understood that the center of the recording mark is
reduced in width. Namely, it is found that target values
set as a multi-pulse duty and a multi-pulse amplitude
average value are not proper.
In this way, according to the present embodiment, the
period of the multi-pulse train is set at IT or larger,
and the rising timing TSMP of the multi-pulse train, the
width TMP of the multi-pulse train, the width FSP of the
front space, and the width LSP of the backend space in the
multi-pulse area are set so as to set a multi-pulse duty
and a multi-pulse amplitude average value at a
predetermined target value. Thus, even when recording is
performed at a high transfer rate with a high density, it
is possible to obtain a recording pulse train where a
recording mark can be formed with a proper width. The
waveform of a reproduction signal obtained by the
recording mark formed thus has a smaller reduction in
amplitude around the center, and less distortion occurs on
the rising edge and the falling edge of the signal.
Hence, even when a long recording modulation code is
recorded, it is possible to reduce the influence of jitter
and suppress a reproduction bit error.
Moreover, according to the present invention, by
detecting reduced amplitude around the center of the
waveform of the reproduction signal, it is possible to
detect a reduced width around the center of the recording
mark. Thus, it is possible to decide whether or not a
multi-pulse duty and a multi-pulse amplitude average value
in the multi-pulse area are proper control targets.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
According to the present invention, even when data is
recorded at a high transfer rate, a recording mark with a
correct shape can be formed on a data storage medium such
as an optical disc. Therefore, the recording method of
the present invention can be suitably used for an optical
disc, on which recording is performed with a high density
and a high transfer rate, and an optical disc device
provided for such an optical disc.