Patent ID: 6882296
Filing Date: 2005-04-19
Classification: G11B,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of encoding a digital data stream which comprises the steps of: (a) providing a first stream of clock pulses at a first rate; (b) deriving a second stream of clock pulses from the first stream at a second rate which is an integer sub-multiple of the first rate and less than a minimum bit rate in the data stream; (c) monitoring the data stream for changes in level therein; (d) counting pulses in the first stream starting when a pulse occurs in the second stream; (e) capturing the pulse count when a change in level in the data stream is detected during monitoring of the data stream according to step (c) or when the next pulse in the second stream of clock pulses occurs; and (f) upon the occurrence of this pulse in the second stream producing a time domain descriptor consisting of a time element derived from the count obtained and a direction change element derived from information as to the direction of the change in level in the digital data stream.