METHOD AND MEANS FOR ENCODING AND DECODING DIGITAL DATA

A data handling system is described for encoding an input digital data waveform by a pulse code modulation technique useful to obtain optimum packing density for a recording medium. The encoding technique selects the binary one state of the input waveform for processing and generates an encoded waveform containing sufficient signal level transition to reconstruct the original input data waveform. The decoding technique examines the transitions present in the retrieved encoded signal and generates decoding indicia sufficient to identify all binary ones in the original digital waveform. A waveform generator recreates the original encoded waveform using selected clocking signals and the decoding indicia.