Abstract: A class of codes and associated methods and devices are provided. Advantageously, such codes when used as constituent codes in composite codes intended for iterative decoding, as compared to the standard practice of using convolutional codes, may allow better error-correcting performance to be achieved, especially at low error rates and high code rates, for a given decoder complexity. State sequencing in these codes is driven not by source data alone, as is the case with convolutional codes, but rather by a sequence that includes both the source data and so-called “inserted” data elements, the inserted data elements having a linear dependence on the state sequencing state. In decoding, state transition intervals involving one or more inserted data elements are handled in a special way.

Abstract: An ultra-wideband antenna for operating in a frequency is disclosed wherein a monopole antenna extends from a ground plane. The monopole has an effective length L of one quarter wavelength at the lowest frequency f1. A dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) surrounds the monopole antenna for resonating at substantially between or at two and three times the lowest frequency f1, the DRA is of a height of less than ¾ L and is disposed in such a manner as being above the ground plane and either contacting or spaced therefrom by a gap G, wherein 0?G?0.2 H. The ultra-wideband antenna is of a much greater bandwidth than the sum of bandwidth of the monople or the DRA alone.