Data alignment circuit and method for self-clocking encoded data

A self-clocking three-part encoded data stream is recorded on a magnetic media during a velocity varying period of time. The recording device encodes clock and data pulses. The polarity of the clock and data pulses are requried to be known in order to correctly decode the encoded information. Without this polarity information, the equipment manufacturer will be tightly constrained to maintain the proper coil wiring convention to ensure the correct pulse polarity for the decode process. The Data Alignment scheme provides a reliable method for detecting the encoded data and clock pulse polarity.