A read head is disclosed having a unitary formation of multiple elements for reading multi-track data from a magnetic tape. The FEC module is configured to receive data and to define FEC code words based on the received data. The diameter of the through holes is preferably 10 \u03bcm to 5000 \u03bcm inclusive. Also disclosed is a lab-on-a chip comprising the apparatus. Providing a digital compensation output corresponding to the digital temperature output, and converting the digital compensation output to the analog compensation output responsive to the analog reference signal output may also be included.