Method of coding binary data

1. A method of encoding a binary digital signal, comprised of words of m bits, into a sequence of channel blocks each formed of an information block of n.sub.1 serial bits followed by a separation block of a predetermined number of bits, where n.sub.1 is greater than m, wherein, in a stream of such channel blocks, a d-constraint is satisfied such that consecutive bits of one type characterized by a transition are separated by at least d bits of another type characterized by an absence of a transition, and a k-constraint is satisfied such that no more than a maximum of k bits of the other type occur between successive bits of the one type, comprising the steps of:

receiving each word of m bits;

converting each such word into a corresponding information block of n.sub.1 bits;

generating a set of possible separation blocks for use between successive information blocks so that said information and separation blocks together satisfy said d-constraint and said k-constraint;

initially forming a superblock of a plurality of successive information blocks catenated with respective possible separation blocks, said superblock having a first information block therein;

determining the total DC imbalance for such initially formed superblock of said plurality of successive information words catenated with said respective possible separation blocks;

selecting for said initially formed superblock those possible separation blocks yielding the least total DC imbalance;

forming a subsequent superblock from said initially formed superblock, but excluding therefrom the first information block and separation block thereof, and from the next successive information block and another of said possible separation blocks;

determining the total DC imablance for such subsequent superblock;

selecting those possible separation blocks yielding the least total imbalance for said subsequent superblock; and

iterating the steps of forming a subsequent superblock, determining the DC imalance thereof and selecting the separation blocks therefor yielding the least total DC imbalance for the successive information blocks and associated separation blocks.

2. A method of encoding a binary digital signal according to claim 1, wherein said step of catenating is followed by

checking whether the bits in the respective separation blocks satisfy both said k-constraint and said d-constraint both with respect to its associated information block and with any neighboring information blocks adjacent thereto; and

thereafter, if said constraints are both satisfied, permitting said determined DC imbalance for said catenation to stand, but

otherwise setting said determined DC imbalance to an extreme value so that the associated separation block will not be selected.

3. A method of encoding a binary digital signal according to claim 1, wherein each said stream is formed of a sequence of p successive channel blocks, and said method further includes inserting a block of synchronization bits between the pth channel block of one such sequence and the first channel block of the subsequent sequence.

4. A method of encoding a binary digital signal according to claim 3, wherein said synchronization block is formed of at least two successive subblocks of n.sub.3 synchronization information bits, and a synchronization separation block of n.sub.4 bits.

5. A method of encoding a binary digital signal according to claim 4, wherein said synchronization separation block is formed by determining the total DC imbalance, for each of a plurality of possible synchronization separation blocks, of said separation block, said synchronization subblocks, and any previously-formed channel blocks in said stream, and selecting the synchronization separation block yielding the least total imbalance.

6. A method of encoding a binary digital signal according to claim 4, wherein each said sequence of subblocks of synchronization bits is selected so as to be distinguishable from any series of bits within the stream of channel blocks, while satisfying said k-constraint and said d-constraint.

7. A method of encoding a binary digital signal according to claim 6, wherein said subblocks of synchronization bits each includes a bit of said one type followed by s bits of said other type.

8. A method of encoding a binary digital signal according to claim 7, wherein s=k.

9. A method of encoding a binary digital signal according to claim 1, wherein said stream comprises groups of four channel blocks, with three of the four blocks having associated therewith a separation block of n.sub.2 bits and the fourth thereof having associated therewith a separation block of n.sub.2 ' bits, with n.sub.2 '>n.sub.2.

10. A method of encoding a binary digital signal according to claim 9, wherein m=8, n.sub.1 =14, n.sub.2 =2, and n.sub.2 '=6.

11. A method of encoding a binary digital signal according to claim 1, wherein m=8, n.sub.1 =14, and the predetermined number of bits in said separation blocks is 3.

12. A decoder for decoding an encoded digital signal which is formed of a sequence of channel blocks each formed of an information block of n.sub.1 serial bits followed by a separation block of a predetermined number of bits, where each information block represents a word of m bits, with n.sub.1 >m, wherein in a stream of such channel blocks, d-constraint is satisfied such that consecutive bits of one type characterized by a transition are separated by at least d bits of another type characterized by an absence of a transition, and a k-constraint is satisfied such that no more than a maxiaum of k bits of the other type occur between successive bits of the one type, and in which a synchronizing block is included formed of a pattern of bits satisfying both said k-constraint and said d-constraint and which is distinctive from any pattern of bit occurring in the sequence of channel blocks; comprising

detecting means for detecting said synchronizing blocks;

separating means for separating the n.sub.1 bits of the information block from the separation block in each said channel block;

means controlling the timing of the separating means in response to the detection of said synchronizing block; and

converting means for converting each information block of n.sub.1 bits into a word of m bits including a battery of AND gates, each having an output and one or more inputs to receive the bits from at least one predetermined bit position of the information block, such bits being applied in parallel thereto, a battery of OR gates each having an output and one or more inputs coupled to respective outputs of selected ones of said AND gates, and output means coupled to the outputs of said OR gates to provide, in parallel, said m bits of the decoded digital signal, said output means including at least one further logic gate having an output, at least one input coupled to the output of one of said AND gates and at least one input coupled to the output of at least one of said OR gates.

13. A data conversion circuit comprising a decoder for decoding an encoded digital signal which is formed of a sequence of channel blocks each formed of an information block of n.sub.1 serial bits followed by a separation block of a predetermined number of bits, where each information block represents a word of m bits, with n.sub.1 greater than m, wherein in a stream of such channel blocks, a d-constraint is satisfied such that consecutive bits of one type characterized by a transition are separated by at least d bits of another type characterized by an absence of a transition, and a k-constraint is satisfied such that no more than a maximum of k bits of the other type occur between successive bits of the one type, and in which a synchronizing block is included formed of a pattern of bits satisfying both said k-constraint and said d-constraint and which is distinctive from any pattern of bits occurring in the sequence of channel blocks; comprising:

detecting means for detecting said synchronizing blocks;

separating means for separating the n.sub.1 bits of the information block from the separation block in each said channel block;

means controlling the timing of the separating means in response to the detection of said synchronizing block; and

converting means for converting each information block of n.sub.1 bits into a word of m bits including a battery of AND gates, each having an output and one or more inputs to receive the bits from at least one predetermined bit position of the information block, such bits being applied in parallel thereto, a battery of OR gates each having an output and one or more inputs coupled to respective outputs of selected ones of said AND gates, and output means coupled to the outputs of said OR gates to provide, in parallel, said m bits of the decoded digital signal, said output means including at least one further logic gate having an output, at least one input coupled to the output of one of said AND gates and at least one input coupled to the output of at least one of said OR gates.