Variable- and fixed-length balanced runlength-limited codes based on a Knuth-like balancing method

Abstract

A novel Knuth-like balancing method for runlength-limited words is presented, which forms the basis of new variable- and fixed-length balanced runlength-limited codes that improve on the code rate as compared to balanced runlength-limited codes based on Knuth's original balancing procedure developed by Immink et al. While Knuth's original balancing procedure, as incorporated by Immink et al., requires the inversion of each bit one at a time, our balancing procedure only inverts the runs as a whole one at a time. The advantage of this approach is that the number of possible inversion points, which needs to be encoded by a redundancy-contributing prefix/suffix, is reduced, thereby allowing a better code rate to be achieved. Furthermore, this balancing method also allows for runlength violating markers which improve, in a number of respects, on the optimal such markers based on Knuth's original balancing method.