RUNLENGTH-LIMITED SEQUENCES

Coding techniques are used in communication systems to increase the efficiency of the channel. Not only is coding equipment being used in point-to-point communication channels, but coding methods are also used in digital recording devices such as sophisticated computer disk files and numerous domestic electronics such as stationary- and rotary-head digital audio tape recorders, the Compact Disc, and floppy disk drives. Since the early 1970s, coding methods based on runlength-limited sequences have played a key role for increasing the storage capacity of magnetic and optical disks or tapes. A detailed description is furnished of the limiting properties of runlength-limited sequences, and a comprehensive review is given of the practical aspects involved in the translation of arbitrary data into runlength-limited sequences. © 1990 IEEE