A coding method, specifies temporal and/or non-temporal pulse characteristics, where pulse characteristic values are relative to one or more non-fixed reference characteristic values within at least one delta value range or discrete delta value layout. The method allocates allowable and non-allowable regions relative to the one ore more non-fixed references. The method applies a delta code relative to the allowable and non-allowable regions. The allowable and non-allowable regions are relative to one or more definable characteristic values within a characteristic value layout. The one or more definable characteristic values are relative to one or more characteristic value references. In addition, the one or more characteristic value references can be a characteristic value of a given pulse such as a preceding pulse or a succeeding pulse.