8 bit address and 8 bit command length.
Extended mode available, doubling the address size.
Address and command are transmitted twice for reliability.
Pulse distance modulation.
Carrier frequency of 38kHz.
Bit time of 1.125ms or 2.25ms.
The NEC protocol uses pulse distance encoding of the bits. Each pulse is a 560µs long 38kHz carrier burst (about 21 cycles). A logical "1" takes 2.25ms to transmit, while a logical "0" is only half of that, being 1.125ms. The recommended carrier duty-cycle is 1/4 or 1/3.