A method for coding data packets (DP) having at least one control command (S) and one data byte (B). The data packets are divided into sequences of control and/or data time blocks (SB, DB) each having a predetermined number (M) of time segments (ZS), whereby these can assume an on-value or off-value (EW, AW). At least one control command is coded in the time segments of a control time block, and a data byte is coded in the time segments of two data time blocks, whereby an on-value follows each time segment with an off-value. The method can be advantageously used in identification systems (IS) in mobile data carriers (DT) and in write/read devices (SL). The method results in the provision of a higher data transfer rate for transmitting data packets.