Fast decoder and method for front end of convolutionally encoded information stream
View Patent ↗A system and method enable the fast decoding of a front end of data (e.g., a header) that is convolutionally encoded by treating the front end as a block code. The system and method receive the convolutionally encoded data; extract a finite sized block from the data; and decode the extracted block using a block error correction decoding method. A Viterbi decoder can then be used to decode the remainder of the encoded data based on the decoded block.
1. A method of decoding a finite sized block of convolutionally encoded data, comprising:
receiving the convolutionally encoded data;
extracting a finite sized block from the data, wherein the finite sized block is less than the entire received data; and
decoding the extracted block using a block error correction decoding method, wherein the decoding includes:
determining distances between the extracted block and known codewords; and
comparing the distances such that the comparison having the smallest distance indicates the result.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising mapping the extracted block to soft values.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising decoding a remainder of the convolutionally encoded data based on the decoded block using a Viterbi decoder.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the comparing includes using a Euclidean technique.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the comparing includes using a Hamming technique.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising converting the known codewords to soft values.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the decoded extracted block indicates a data rate.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the finite sized block includes a front end of the data.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the convolutionally encoded data is for a physical layer.
10. A system for decoding a finite sized block of convolutionally encoded data, comprising:
means for receiving the convolutionally encoded data;
means for extracting a finite sized block from the data, wherein the finite sized block is less than the entire received data; and
means for decoding the extracted block using a block error correction decoding method, wherein the decoding includes:
determining distances between the extracted block and known codewords; and
comparing the distances such that the comparison having the smallest distance indicates the result.
11. A system of decoding a finite sized block of convolutionally encoded data, comprising:
a receiving device capable of receiving the convolutionally encoded data;
a block extractor capable of extracting a finite sized block from the data, wherein the finite sized block is less than the entire received data; and
a block decoder, communicatively coupled to the block extractor, capable of decoding the extracted block using a block error correction decoding method, wherein the block decoder decodes by:
determining distances between the extracted block and known codewords; and
comparing the distances such that the comparison having the smallest distance indicates the result.
12. The system of claim 11 , further comprising a demapper capable of mapping the extracted block to soft values.
13. The system of claim 11 , further comprising a Viterbi decoder capable of decoding a remainder of the convolutionally encoded data based on the decoded block.
14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the comparing includes using a Euclidean technique.
15. The system of claim 11 , wherein the comparing includes using a Hamming technique.
16. The system of claim 11 , further comprising a demapper capable of converting the known codewords to soft values.
17. The system of claim 11 , wherein the decoded extracted block indicates a data rate.
18. The system of claim 11 , wherein the finite sized block includes a front end of the data.