ΔRLE: Lossless data compression algorithm using delta transformation and optimized bit-level run-length encoding

Abstract

Lossless data compression algorithms can use statistical redundancy to represent data using a fewer number of bits in comparison to the original uncompressed data. Run-Length Encoding (RLE) is one of the simplest lossless compression algorithms in terms of understanding its principles and software implementation, as well as in terms of temporal and spatial complexity. If this principle is applied to individual bits of original uncompressed data without respecting the byte boundaries, this approach is referred to as bit-level Run-Length Encoding. Lightweight algorithm for lossless data compression proposed in this paper optimizes bit-level RLE data compression, uses special encoding of repeating data blocks, and, if necessary, combines it with delta data transformation or representation of data in its original form intending to increase compression efficiency compared to a conventional bit-level RLE approach. The advantage of the algorithm proposed in this paper is in its low time and memory consumption which are basic features of RLE, along with the simultaneous increase of compression ratio, compared to the classical bit-level RLE approach.