Implementations of encoding techniques are disclosed. The encoding technique, such as a Data bus Inversion (DBI) technique, is implementable in a vertically-stacked memory module, but is not limited thereto. The module can be a plurality of memory integrated circuits which are vertically stacked, and which communicate via a bus formed in one embodiment of channels comprising Through-Wafer Interconnects (TWIs), but again is not limited thereto. One such module includes spare channels that are normally used to reroute a data signal on the bus away from faulty data channels. In one disclosed technique, the status of a spare channel or channels is queried, and if one or more are unused, they can be used to carry a DBI bit, thus allowing at least a portion of the bus to be assessed in accordance with a DBI algorithm. Depending on the location and number of spare channels needed for rerouting, DBI can be apportioned across the bus in various manners. Implementations can also be used with other encoding techniques not comprising DBI.