Abstract: Techniques for encoding N-binary symbol (NB) source data vectors into M-binary symbol (MB) encoded vectors, M>N>0, are provided. Techniques for decoding are also provided. Exemplary coding and decoding apparatuses are presented, as is an exemplary 8B/10B encoding scheme. Encoded vectors may be disparity dependent or disparity independent. In assigning encoded vectors that have one or more individual binary symbol changes compared with their source data vectors, preference can be given to encoded vectors that are balanced and disparity independent. Whole-vector complementation and individual changes of one or more binary symbols can advantageously be performed substantially in parallel.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for translating five-bit source vectors into six-bit coded vectors. A sixth bit having a default value is appended to the source vectors. Selected one to three individual source bits are complemented for a minority of the plurality of source vectors. The coded vectors are either disparity independent with a single representation or disparity dependent with a primary and an alternate representation, where the alternate representation is a complement of the primary representation. Additional techniques are disclosed for translating three-bit source vectors together with one or more control inputs, into nine four-bit coded vectors. A fourth bit having a default value is appended to the source vectors. A single individual bit is complemented for a minority of source vectors.

Abstract: A flow control process for a switching architecture having a central switch core with associated distributed Switch Core Access Layers communicating with the core by means of serial data communication links. The serial links carry data flows that are coded in accordance with the 8B/10B coding, where two among the three comma characters are used for creating an additional specialized flow control channel. When the cells are idle or empty, the nature of the comma character that appears at the beginning of the cell provides the appropriate flow control bit information. For instance, should the K.28.5 character be detected, the receiving entity (either the switching structure or a distributed SCAL element) decodes the character as positive flow control information, corresponding to a request to reduce the incoming data flow. Also, should the K.28.1 character be decoded, then the receiving entity decodes this as information according to which no reduction in the data flow is requested.