Sum-product decoding of convolutional codes

This article proposes two methods to improve the sum-product soft-in/soft-out decoding performance of convolutional codes. The first method is to transform a parity check equation in such a way as to remove cycles of length four in a Tanner graph of a convolutional code, and performs sum-product algorithm (SPA) with the transformed parity check equation. This method improves the performance of (7,5)8 convolutional code (CC1). However, for (45,73)8 convolutional code (CC2), the method does not effect. The second proposed method is to use a higher order parity check equation in comparison with a normal parity check equation for SPA decoding. This method improves the performance for both convolutional codes (CC1, CC2). The performance is close to that by BCJR algorithm and it is less complex than BCJR algorithm.