Run length limited CCSDS convolutional codes for optical communications

Abstract This paper presents the construction of RLL-ECCs (run length limited error control codes) from three selected ECCs specified by Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) for optical communications. The RLL-ECCs obtained present a practical alternative to CCSDS codes with pseudo-randomizers. Their advantage is that the maximal run lengths of equal symbols in their codeword sequences are guaranteed, which is not the case if the common approach with pseudo-randomizers is used. The other advantages are that no additional redundancy is introduced into encoded codewords and that the encoding and decoding procedures of the original error control CCSDS codes do not have to be modified in the following cases: Firstly, if hard decoding is used and the transmission channel can be modeled as a BSC (binary symmetric channel) and secondly, if soft decoding and coherent BPSK (binary phase shift keying) modulation is used and the appropriate transmission channel model is an AWGN (additive white Gaussian noise) channel.