A method for detecting encoded digital data from a substantially sinusoidal waveform (10), the encoded digital data having one of a first value and a second value at selected phase angles θn comprises generating the waveform having an amplitude Y defined by a first function at phase angles lying outside of regions having a range Δθ beginning at each phase angle θn, said first function being Y = sinθ; generating the waveform having an amplitude Y defined by the first function at phase angles lying inside the regions having a range of Δθ beginning at each phase angle θn where data of the first value is to be encoded; and generating the waveform having an amplitude Y defined by a second function at phase angles lying inside the regions having a range of Δθ associated with each phase angle θn where data of the second value is to be encoded, the second function being different from Y = sinθ, the detection including deriving sync pulses (16) from minima and maxima of the substantially sinusoidal waveform (10) to frame data words.