Method and Encoding Device for Encoding a Sequence of M-Bit Pattern Words and Outputting a Frame Comprising Corresponding N-Bit Symbols

An encoding device configured to receive a sequence of m-bit pattern words and to output as a bit-stream a frame comprising corresponding n-bit symbols as well as a predetermined comma symbol, wherein m<n,

• said encoding device comprising:
• symbol generation circuitry configured to, upon receipt of each m-bit pattern word, generate a corresponding primary n-bit symbol, and further for generating a corresponding alternative n-bit symbol if said received m-bit pattern word is part of a predetermined set of m-bit pattern words;
• symbol selection circuitry adapted for selecting the primary symbol in case only a primary symbol is generated, and otherwise for performing a step of:
• i) selecting either said primary or said alternative symbol, wherein if only one of said primary symbol and alternative symbol, when appended to a directly preceding symbol in the output bit-stream, does not form a false comma in said two appended symbols, said one symbol is selected;
• output circuitry adapted for outputting said one selected symbol as a pattern symbol in said bit-stream, and adapted for outputting a comma symbol in said bit-stream each time after having consecutively output multiple pattern symbols in said output bit-stream.