Method of decoding a variable-length codeword sequence

1. A method of source decoding variable-length codeword sequences, said source decoding being based on an associated state diagram comprising a plurality of states and on a code, a state being a node in the diagram through which possible decoded codeword sequences may pass, comprising:

reducing the states in the state diagram in such a way that, at a bit time, only a number of states in a group of states is saved based on a criterion derived from a partial metric computation and otherwise independently of an alphabet of said code, the group being associated with the bit time; wherein the criterion is such that the saved states have best metrics in the group of states.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 ,

wherein the criterion is such that only one state is saved among all the states of the group which have same number of symbols, in accordance with the best metrics.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:

selecting one final best state, among the saved states, as being the state with a best metric, and

determining a best decoded codeword sequence which has a same number of symbols as a sent codeword sequence.

4. A computer program product for a decoder, comprising a set of instructions, which, when loaded into said decoder, causes the decoder to carry out the method as claimed in claim 1 .

5. A computer program product for a computer, comprising a set of instructions, which, when loaded into said computer, causes the computer to carry out the method as claimed in claim 1 .

6. A decoder for source decoding variable-length codeword sequences, said source decoding being based on an associated state diagram comprising a plurality of states and on a code a state being anode in the diagram through which possible decoded codeword sequences may pass, comprising:

state reduction means adapted to save, at a bit time, only a number of states in a group of states based on a criterion derived from a partial metric computation and otherwise independently of an alphabet of said code, the group being associated with the bit time;

wherein the criterion is such that the saved states have best metrics in the group of states.

7. A decoder as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the criterion is such that only one state is saved among all the states of a group which have a same number of symbols in accordance with the best metrics.

8. A decoder as claimed in claim 6 , further comprising:

selecting means adapted to select one final best state, among the saved states, as being the state with a best metric, and adapted to determine a best decoded codeword sequence which has a same number of symbols as a sent codeword sequence.

9. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium and capable of being executed by a processor, the computer program comprising instructions for:

receiving a codeword sequence comprising a plurality of symbols;

reducing a number of states in a state diagram used to decode the codeword sequence, wherein remaining states in the state diagram are selected based on at least one partial metric that is independent of the symbols in the codeword sequence; and

decoding the codeword sequence using the state diagram having the reduced number of states and a shared code.

10. The computer program of claim 9 , wherein reducing the number of states comprises reducing the number of states associated with a particular bit time.

11. The computer program of claim 9 , wherein reducing the number of states comprises selecting only one state associated with a particular bit time.

12. The computer program of claim 9 , wherein the number of remaining states does not exceed a specified maximum number of states.

13. The computer program of claim 9 , wherein decoding the codeword sequence comprises:

determining a best decoded codeword sequence having a same number of symbols as the received codeword sequence using the state diagram; and

outputting the best decoded codeword sequence.

14. A method, comprising:

receiving a codeword sequence comprising a plurality of symbols;

reducing a number of states in a state diagram used to decode the codeword sequence, wherein remaining states in the state diagram are selected based on at least one partial metric that is independent of the symbols in the codeword sequence; and

decoding the codeword sequence using the state diagram having the reduced number of states and a shared code.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein reducing the number of states comprises reducing the number of states associated with a particular bit time.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein reducing the number of states comprises selecting only one state associated with a particular bit time.

17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the number of remaining states does not exceed a specified maximum number of states.

18. The method of claim 14 , wherein decoding the codeword sequence comprises:

determining a best decoded codeword sequence having a same number of symbols as the received codeword sequence using the state diagram; and

outputting the best decoded codeword sequence.

19. A decoding system comprising a decoder, the decoder capable of:

receiving a codeword sequence comprising a plurality of symbols;

reducing a number of states in a state diagram used to decode the codeword sequence, wherein remaining states in the state diagram are selected based on at least one partial metric that is independent of the symbols in the codeword sequence; and

decoding the codeword sequence using the state diagram having the reduced number of states and a shared code.

20. The decoding system of claim 19 , wherein the decoder is capable of reducing the number of states by reducing the number of states associated with a particular bit time.

21. The decoding system of claim 19 , wherein the number of remaining states does not exceed a specified maximum number of states.