The present invention relates to a method for encoding a first sequence of integer coefficient values ({x*(i ,j,2l-1)}=1, 2,...; {X*(i,j,21)}l=1,2,...) indicative of coupling coefficient values. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises determining a second sequence of numbers of digits for encoding the respective integer coefficient values of the first sequence, the second sequence comprising, as first element, a first number of digits for encoding the first integer coefficient value of the first sequence, and as second and subsequent elements, constrained numbers of digits that are greater than or equal to respective minimum required numbers of digits for encoding the second and subsequent integer coefficient values of the first sequence. The constrained numbers of digits are such that any two successive elements of the second sequence do not differ from each other by more than a given threshold value. The method further comprises encoding difference values between the success
