Abstract: A modulation apparatus for converting digital data having the basic data length equal to m bits into a variable length code (d, k; m, n; r) having the basic codeword length of n bits is disclosed. The apparatus includes an encoder 12 for determining the constraint length i of data supplied from a shift register 11, based upon m bits as a unit, a selector 13, plural conversion tables 14.sub.1 and an unfixed bit processing circuit 16.sub.1. The selector 13 selects one of the conversion tables 14.sub.1 based upon the constraint length i and transmits m.times.i bit data to the selected conversion table 14.sub.1, which then converts the m.times.i bit data into n.times.i bit codewords. The unfixed bit processing circuit 16.sub.

Abstract: A synchronization detector includes a NRZI circuit for extracting edge portions of RF signals detected as binary-valued signals to form a pulse train, a counter for counting the number of channel clocks in the distance between transitions represented by the edge portions, a latch circuit operated responsive to pulses from the NRZI circuit for holding a number of previously counted channel clocks immediately preceding a current count of channel clocks, and AND gates and an OR gate for detecting synchronization signals when the combination of the channel clocks from the counter and the latch circuit is the combination of the maximum distance between transitions Tmax and Tmax-kT (k=1 or 2) of a (d, k; m, n; r) modulation code. Synchronization signals may be detected promptly even if the frame structure is increased in size to enable restoration of synchronization to be expedited when frame structure synchronization is not in order. A demodulator utilizing the synchronization signal detector is also disclosed.

Abstract: A modulating system for converting data of a basic data length of m bits into a variable length code (d, k; m, n; r) of a basic code length of n bits, which comprises the steps of: judging a binding length i (i=1.about.r) of the basic data; uniformly converting data of m.times.i bits into a code of n.times.r bits by using a conversion table for converting data of m.times.r bits where the binding length i is the maximum binding length r, and including at least one conversion table where the binding length i is less than r; and taking out specific bits from the code of n.times.r bits thus obtained on the basis of the judged binding length i to output them as a modulation code.

Abstract: In a data modulation method, m-bit data is modulated to n-bit data (n.gtoreq.m) having fewer direct current and low frequency components. A dispersion of the digital sum variation of code weights can be reduced, a direct current component is reduced and an error rate can be further reduced by selecting a plurality of modulation tables constituting the combination of one or more sub-groups of modulation data obtained by dividing a group of modulation data by a code weight having the same value based on the digital sum variation of the code weights accumulated until a time at which m-bit data is converted to n-bit code and converting next m-bit data continuously to present m-bit data to n-bit code by using the modulation tables.

Abstract: A method of modulating digital data to a variable-length code having parameters d, k, m, n, and r for recording information on and reproducing the same from an optical disc. The optimal range of a minimum run length d corresponding to the minimum number of successive same symbols is determined by a procedure which includes a first step to determine the minimum S/N required for obtaining a desired error rate from the relationship between a bit error rate and the S/N when d=0; a second step to obtain the relationship between a change of the numerical value d and that of the S/N by calculating, on the basis of the required minimum S/N obtained at the first step, the S/N loss caused due to the change of the numerical value d; and a third step to determine, from the relationship between the numerical value d and the S/N, the range of the value d corresponding to the S/N of the transmission characteristic dependent on an optical system and an optical disc.

Abstract: A modulating method and apparatus and a demodulating method and apparatus in which a variable length code (d, k;m, n;r) which can provide a greater minimum reversal distance to allow recording of a higher density than ever is provided. According to the modulating method and apparatus, digital data of a basic data length of m bits is modulated into a variable length code (d, k;m, n;r) of a basic code length of n bits, and where the distance between adjacent ones of the digital data is represented by T, the minimum reversal distance of the variable length code is equal to or greater than 2.0 T and the minimum length of a run of a same symbol is equal to or greater than 4.

Abstract: A maximum likelihood decoder (28) comprises a Viterbi decoding unit (30) and a symbol concluding unit (29). Final N-M bit data of data of N (>M) bit unit, to which M-bit original data is converted, is supplied to the symbol concluding unit (29) as a terminal portion and other data is supplied to the Viterbi decoding unit (30), thereby being demodulated by a demodulator (37). A maximum likelihood decoding apparatus is provided in which image data or the like can be recorded and reproduced at high speed and maximum likelihood parallel decoding is effected. A reproducing data demodulating apparatus using such maximum likelihood decoding apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A modulating method and apparatus and a demodulating method and apparatus wherein high density recording can be achieved and a dc component can be controlled with a variable length channel code are disclosed. Recording data are divided into a predetermined plurality of blocks, and those of the recording data at a portion other than a boundary portion of each of the blocks are coded referring to a table of a first ROM so that data of m bits may be converted into a code of n bits. The remaining data at the boundary portion of each block are converted into a code referring to another table of second ROM so that data of m bits may be converted into a code of n bits. Further, a code of n bits for minimizing a dc component is produced referring to a third table of a further ROM and is added to the code generated by the first and second ROMs.

Abstract: In a data conversion method of converting source data of M bit unit to be recorded on a recording medium into conversion data of N (>M) bit unit, n, which is a number of inter-symbol interferences permitted in a transmission path, continuous codes in the codes of the conversion data are weighted with a weighting distribution decreasing linearly from a distribution center, the weighted n continuous codes are sequentially added to form the intermediate series, and then such conversion data that the sum of absolute values of differences of codes between the intermediate series (i.e., the code length) is more than a predetermined number of times as large as a reference value of the weighting coefficient is selected as a modulation code, whereby the pattern length between the code patterns can be made larger to thereby improve the recording density remarkably with using the present recording medium and recording and/or reproducing apparatus.

Abstract: Described is a magnetic recording device in which digital data are recorded with higher density in such a manner that plural recording tracks are sequentially formed on the magnetic recording medium. In the magnetic recording device, any two adjoining tracks are formed by separate magnetic heads whose azimuth angles are equal to +.theta., -.theta., with the absolute value of the angle .theta. being selected to satisfy the relation 16.degree..ltoreq..theta..ltoreq.22.degree., in a manner so that the crosstalk level between any two neighboring tracks may be reduced without affecting the SN ratio.