When T-codes are used to encode an information source most efficiently, the
ir tendency towards self-synchronisation is among the strongest. The best T
-codes achieve self-synchronisation within 1.5 characters following a lock
loss. Attempts have been made to build databases of the best T-codes, These
rely on the comparison of average synchronisation delay (ASD) values that
have to be determined using complex algorithms. Criteria are proposed for s
electing T-code sets that have intrinsically low ASD values. These criteria
are derived from the underlying synchronisation process of T-codes based o
n the T-code construction algorithm. This latest contribution means that T-
codes that are optimal, in terms of both coding efficiency and synchronisat
ion performance, can be found for any given information source more easily
compared to previous methods.