Method and apparatus for joint equalization and decoding of multidimensional codes transmitted over multiple symbol durations

1. A reduced state sequence estimation decoder for a multidimensional code, wherein a multidimensional code symbol comprises a number of symbol components of lower dimensionality, comprising:

at least one branch metric unit that calculates branch metrics for a received signal based on intersymbol interference and intrasymbol interference estimates, said at least one branch metric unit compensating for intrasymbol interference caused by symbol components within a current multidimensional code symbol; and

a decision feedback unit that processes survivor symbols to calculate the intersymbol interference estimates for different code states of said multidimensional code and channels used to transmit said multidimensional code.

2. The reduced state sequence estimation decoder of claim 1 , wherein multidimensional code symbols are transmitted over more than one symbol interval that is used to transmit one of said symbol components.

3. The reduced state sequence estimation decoder of claim 1 , wherein said multidimensional code symbol comprises a number of transmitted symbol components of lower dimensionality that exceeds a number of available channels.

4. The reduced state sequence estimation decoder of claim 1 , wherein said at least one branch metric unit is further configured to:

calculate intrasymbol interference free estimates based on possible data symbol values; and

calculate branch metrics based on a received signal and said intersymbol interference and intrasymbol interference estimates.

5. The reduced state sequence estimation decoder of claim 1 , further comprising an add-compare-select unit to determine a best surviving path into a trellis state.

6. The reduced state sequence estimation decoder of claim 1 , wherein said multidimensional code is 4D-TCM.

7. The reduced state sequence estimation decoder of claim 1 , wherein said multidimensional code is 4D-TCM.

8. The reduced state sequence estimation decoder of claim 1 , wherein said at least one branch metric unit is further operative to calculate a metric for an initial symbol component using survivor symbols from a corresponding state to account for intersymbol interference, wherein said metric is used for the calculation of a branch metric.

9. The reduced state sequence estimation decoder of claim 8 , wherein said at least one branch metric unit is further operative to calculate a metric for a subsequent symbol component using survivor symbols from a corresponding state to account for intersymbol interference and using at least one data estimate to account for intrasymbol interference.

10. The reduced state sequence estimation decoder of claim 9 , wherein said at least one branch metric unit is further operative to calculate a combined metric by combining said metric for said initial symbol component and said metric for said subsequent symbol component.

11. A method for processing a multidimensional code, wherein a multidimensional code symbol comprises a number of symbol components of lower dimensionality, comprising:

calculating branch metrics for a received signal based on intersymbol interference and intrasymbol interference estimates, wherein said calculated branch metrics compensate for intrasymbol interference caused by symbol components within a current multidimensional code symbol; and

processing survivor symbols to calculate the intersymbol interference estimates for different code states of said multidimensional code and channels used to transmit said multidimensional code.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein multidimensional code symbols are transmitted over more than one symbol interval that is used to transmit one of said symbol components.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein said multidimensional code symbol comprises a number of transmitted symbol components of lower dimensionality that exceeds a number of available channels.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein said step of calculating branch metrics further comprises the steps of:

calculating intrasymbol interference free estimates based on possible data symbol values; and

calculating branch metrics based on a received signal and said intersymbol interference and intrasymbol interference estimates.

15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of determining a best surviving path into a trellis state.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein said multidimensional code is 4D-TCM.

17. The method of claim 11 , wherein said multidimensional code is 4D-TCM.

18. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of calculating a metric for an initial symbol component using survivor symbols from a corresponding state to account for intersymbol interference, wherein said metric is used for the calculation of a branch metric.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising the step of calculating a metric for a subsequent symbol component using survivor symbols from a corresponding state to account for intersymbol interference and using at least one data estimate to account for intrasymbol interference.

20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising the step of calculating a combined metric by combining said metric for said initial symbol component and said metric for said subsequent symbol component.