1. In
communications systems, the altering of the characteristics of a
signal to make the signal more suitable for an intended application, such as optimizing the signal for
transmission, improving transmission quality and
fidelity, modifying the signal spectrum, increasing the
information content, providing
error detection and/or correction, and providing
data security.
Note: A single coding scheme usually does not provide more than one or two specific capabilities. Different codes have different advantages and disadvantages.
2. In communications and
computer systems, implementing rules that are used to map the elements of one
set onto the elements of another set, usually on a one-to-one basis.
3. The
digital encoding of an
analog signal and, conversely, decoding to an analog signal.