CLOSE-TO-CAPACITY DECODING ON THE PACKET ERASURE CHANNEL (PEC)

Abstract

Research on packet-layer coding is driven by two main factors: keeping encoding/decoding complexity low, while finding suitable code designs to approach channel capacity. A class of codes that fulfills these requirements perfectly is the one of low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes. Recent works showed that nearly optimal performance can be achieved with high decoding speed, down to low error rates and even for small and moderate block sizes. This is thanks to maximum-likelihood (ML) aided decoding techniques in combination with a judicious code design. A review of the ML decoding approach will be first presented, followed by further insights on the code design. Performance and decoding speed assessments will be both provided in terms of simulation and field test results.