Abstract: The error correction capability of block codes can be doubled if error locations are known. Prior art approaches for error location detection always involve adding dedicated redundant data which then are evaluated to yield error location information. The present invention proposes and describes how error location information in the form of clues is derived from given DC control bits that are anyway present in a data stream.

Abstract: The error correction capability of block codes can be doubled if error locations are known. Prior art approaches for error location detection always involve adding dedicated redundant data which then are evaluated to yield error location information. The present invention proposes and describes how error location information in the form of clues is derived from given DC control bits that are anyway present in a data stream.

Abstract: For controlling the DC-content of a Run Length Limited RLL modulated channel bit stream organized in data blocks, control bits are periodically inserted into control blocks which are dynamically placed and sized near the data block boundaries in such a way as to enable independent dk-encoding of the data blocks body and the control blocks. Running digital sum differences are calculated. Control bit insertion is done in such a way that the d,k constraints of the RLL code are not violated, that the encoded dk sequence of the data block body is not altered, and that the running digital sum is minimized by eventually inverting the contribution of the data block body thereto. Compared to the number of data bits per data block, few control bits are sufficient to keep the digital sum variation DSV of the Running Digital Sum RDS small.

Abstract: In a channel encoder comprising a dk-encoder stage and a precoding stage, obeyance of a repeated minimum transition runlength constraint is achieved because, between the dk-encoder and the precoder, data are passed through an RMTR encoder which replaces occurrences of a forbidden pattern by a current replacement pattern having the same length as the forbidden pattern. By appropriately selecting current replacement patterns from a predefined set of two different replacement patterns, DC-control can be achieved for the encoder output. The corresponding decoder is described, which also employs pattern replacement. These results are provided by a method of channel encoding binary data, wherein the data is contained in a n input sequence of data tuples. An input sequence of constrained tuples is generated that obeys the relationships heretorfore set forth. A post encoding step is applied with NRZI modulation to be used in a channel as described.

Abstract: A bit clock recovery apparatus for digital storage readout employing sync frames, where an oversampled readout signal is stored in memory, sync patterns are located in the signal using DSP means, distances of consecutive sync pattern locations are calculated, and bit clock is recovered from these distances and the knowledge about the data framing structure.

Abstract: For controlling the DC-content of a Run Length Limited RLL modulated channel bit stream organized in data blocks, control bits are periodically inserted into control blocks which are dynamically placed and sized near the data block boundaries in such a way as to enable independent dk-encoding of the data blocks body and the control blocks. Running digital sum differences are calculated. Control bit insertion is done in such a way that the d,k constraints of the RLL code are not violated, that the encoded dk sequence of the data block body is not altered, and that the running digital sum is minimized by eventually inverting the contribution of the data block body thereto. Compared to the number of data bits per data block, few control bits are sufficient to keep the digital sum variation DSV of the Running Digital Sum RDS small.

Abstract: In a channel encoder comprising a dk-encoder stage and a precoding stage, obeyance of a repeated minimum transition runlength constraint is achieved because, between the dk-encoder and the precoder, data are passed through an RMTR encoder which replaces occurrences of a forbidden pattern by a current replacement pattern having the same length as the forbidden pattern. By appropriately selecting current replacement patterns from a predefined set of two different replacement patterns, DC-control can be achieved for the encoder output. The corresponding decoder is described, which also employs pattern replacement.

Abstract: A method for bit recovery in an asymmetric data channel, the method comprising the steps of: providing a non-linear equalization filter with two coefficient sets; using the non-linear equalization filter with a first coefficient set for compensating defects of a first type of transition between different storage states; and using the non-linear equalization filter with a second coefficient set for compensating defects of a second type of transition between different storage states.

Abstract: A bit clock recovery apparatus for digital storage readout employing sync frames, where an oversampled readout signal is stored in memory, sync patterns are located in the signal using DSP means, distances of consecutive sync pattern locations are calculated, and bit clock is recovered from these distances and the knowledge about the data framing structure.

Abstract: MPEG2 data streams contain data packets for a set of programs and time stamps for data synchronization purposes. An MPEG2 transport stream is assembled of fixed-length transport packets. The received transport packets of at least one specific program of this set of programs can be stored using for example a DVD Streamer recorder or DVD-RAM recorder. For the real-time playback of recorded specific program data packets each packet needs a separate time stamp. For that reason a timestamp is to be captured for each data packet at recording time. However, capturing of timestamps from a transport stream is a very time consuming action in software implementation processing. Therefore transport stream timestamps are captured for every Nth packet only and the missing timestamps are calculated. Thereby software-processing time is saved for generating the timestamps required for real-time bitstream recording.

Abstract: A method for bit recovery in an asymmetric data channel, the method comprising the steps of: providing a non-linear equalization filter with two coefficient sets; using the non-linear equalization filter with a first coefficient set for compensating defects of a first type of transition between different storage states; and using the non-linear equalization filter with a second coefficient set for compensating defects of a second type of transition between different storage states.

Abstract: MPEG2 data streams contain data packets for a set of programs and time stamps for data synchronization purposes. An MPEG2 transport stream is assembled of fixed-length transport packets. The received transport packets of at least one specific program of this set of programs can be stored using for example a DVD Streamer recorder or DVD-RAM recorder. For the real-time playback of recorded specific program data packets each packet needs a separate time stamp. For that reason a timestamp is to be captured for each data packet at recording time. However, capturing of timestamps from a transport stream is a very time consuming action in software implementation processing. Therefore transport stream timestamps are captured for every Nth packet only and the missing timestamps are calculated. Thereby software-processing time is saved for generating the timestamps required for real-time bitstream recording.

Abstract: A magnetic tape apparatus for the recording and reproduction of signals, including a magnetic tape having plural data tracks running parallel to an edge of the tape; a multi-track reading device including a multi-track playback head configured to read simultaneously plural of the tracks and output signals corresponding to data recorded on the plural tracks; and a housing in which the tape and the reading device are permanently disposed; wherein the tape is adapted for simultaneous recording of data onto plural data tracks of the tape via external recording heads upon the apparatus being connected to an external recording facility.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recording longitudinal track bundles on an information medium. The method involves recording tracking information in special tracks in said track bundles. The special tracks are contiguous between each other. When recording a new track bundle a recording and/or reading head may be positioned using tracking information contained in special tracks of a previously recorded track bundle. Several examples of patterns used for coding tracking information in the special tracks we described.