Patent attributes
Two types of codings are integrated, instead of performing each coding independently. The two codings may be integrated by interleaving one or more acts of one coding method (e.g. data coding) between two or more acts of the other coding method (e.g. line coding). In some embodiments, partitioning of a block of data (e.g. a byte) for line coding (e.g. DC balance coding) is done prior to data coding (e.g. error correction coding). In such embodiments, the remaining acts of line coding may be performed after the data coding is completed. In one particular embodiment, an 8 bit byte is not directly used in error correction coding and instead, the 8 bit byte is initially partitioned into two sub-blocks (of 3 bits and 5 bits) as required by 8B/10B encoding (which is an example of line coding). After partitioning, the 8B/10B encoding is not continued, and instead Reed Solomon coding (which is an example of data coding) is then performed (to completion) on the individual sub-blocks (of 3 bits and 5 bits). The error correction coded sub-blocks (of 3 bits and 5 bits) are then used for the remainder of 8B/10B encoding.
