Encoding and decoding complex data

Abstract

It is provided a method for encoding complex data. The method includes the steps of: obtaining an input signal made up of a series of numerically represented samples; determining a time frame of the input signal to process; applying a first window function on data in the time frame, resulting in first windowed data, wherein the first window function tapers sample magnitude towards the edges of the first window function; performing a windowed complex discrete Fourier-related transform on the first windowed data, resulting in frequency-domain data including a plurality of coefficients, keeping only the real part or the imaginary part of each coefficient; quantizing the frequency domain data resulting in quantized data; outputting the quantized data as encoded data; and repeating the method, wherein each subsequent iteration of the step of determining a time frame includes determining a time frame that overlaps in time with a preceding time frame.