Abstract: Efficient construction of LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) codes with corresponding parity check matrix having CSI (Cyclic Shifted Identity) sub-matrices. These constructed LDPC codes can be implemented in multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) communication systems. One LDPC code construction approach uses CSI sub-matrix shift values whose shift values are checked instead of non-zero element positions within the parity check matrix (or its corresponding sub-matrices). When designing an LDPC code, this approach is efficient to find and avoid cycles (or loops) in the LDPC code's corresponding bipartite graph. Another approach involves GRS (Generalized Reed-Solomon) code based LDPC code construction. These LDPC codes can be implemented in a wide variety of communication devices, including those implemented in wireless communication systems that comply with the recommendation practices and standards being developed by the IEEE 802.11n Task Group (i.e., the Task Group that is working to develop a standard for 802.

Abstract: Algebraic method to construct LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) codes with parity check matrix having CSI (Cyclic Shifted Identity) sub-matrices. A novel approach is presented by which identity sub-matrices undergo cyclic shifting, thereby generating CSI sub-matrices that are arranged forming a parity check matrix of an LDPC code. The parity check matrix of the LDPC code may correspond to a regular LDPC code, or the parity check matrix of the LDPC code may undergo further modification to transform it to that of an irregular LDPC code. The parity check matrix of the LDPC code may be partitioned into 2 sub-matrices such that one of these 2 sub-matrices is transformed to be a block dual diagonal matrix; the other of these 2 sub-matrices may be modified using a variety of means, including the density evolution approach, to ensure the desired bit and check degrees of the irregular LDPC code.

Abstract: Iterative metric updating when decoding LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) coded signals and LDPC coded modulation signals. A novel approach is presented for updating the bit metrics employed when performing iterative decoding of LDPC coded signals. This bit metric updating is also applicable to decoding of signals that have been generated using combined LDPC coding and modulation encoding to generate LDPC coded modulation signals. In addition, the bit metric updating is also extendible to decoding of LDPC variable code rate and/or variable modulation signals whose code rate and/or modulation may vary as frequently as on a symbol by symbol basis. By ensuring that the bit metrics are updated during the various iterations of the iterative decoding processing, a higher performance can be achieved than when the bit metrics remain as fixed values during the iterative decoding processing.

Abstract: Decoding error correcting codes transmitted through multiple wire twisted pair cables with uneven noise on the wires. A novel approach is presented by which the metrics may be calculated for signals received over multi-wire (or alternatively referred to as multi-channel, and/or multi-path) communication channels to exploit an uneven distribution of noise among those wires for improved performance. In addition, this approach may also be performed in combination with employing an amplification factor to modify the metrics employed when performing ECC (Error Correcting Code) decoding. Moreover, when information is known concerning which 1 or more paths (e.g., wires) has an SNR that is different (e.g., lower in some cases) from the others, an even better adapted means of calculating the metrics associated with each of the paths (e.g., wires) may be employed to provide for improved performance with respect to iterative decoding processing of signals encoded using ECCs.

Abstract: Efficient front end memory arrangement to support parallel bit node and check node processing in LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) decoders. A novel approach is presented by which the front end design of device capable to decode LDPC coded signals facilitates parallel decoding processing of the LDPC coded signal. The implementation of the front end memory management in conjunction with the implementation of a metric generator operate cooperatively lend themselves for very efficient parallel decoding processing of LDPC coded signals. There are several embodiments by which the front end memory management and the metric generator may be implemented to facilitate this parallel decoding processing of LDPC coded signals. This also allows for the decoding of variable code rate and/or variable modulation signals whose code rate and/or modulation varies as frequently as on a block by block basis (e.g., a block may include a group of symbols within a frame).

Abstract: Rate control adaptable communications. A common trellis is employed at both ends of a communication system (in an encoder and decoder) to code and decode data at different rates. The encoding employs a single encoder whose output bits may be selectively punctured to support multiple modulations (constellations and mappings) according to a rate control sequence. A single decoder is operable to decode each of the various rates at which the data is encoded by the encoder. The rate control sequence may include a number of rate controls arranged in a period that is repeated during encoding and decoding. Either one or both of the encoder and decoder may adaptively select a new rate control sequence based on a variety of operational parameters including operating conditions of the communication system, a change in signal to noise ratio (SNR), etc.

Abstract: Fixed-spacing parity insertion for FEC (Forward Error Correction) codewords. Fixed spacing is employed to intersperse parity bits among information bits when generating a codeword. According to this fixed spacing, a same number of information bits is placed between each of the parity bits within the codeword. If desired, the order of the parity bits may be changed before they are placed into the codeword. Moreover, the order of the information bits may also be modified before they are placed into the codeword. The FEC encoding employed to generate the parity bits from the information bits can be any of a variety of codes include Reed-Solomon (RS) code, LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) code, turbo code, turbo trellis coded modulation (TTCM), or some other code providing FEC capabilities.

Abstract: LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) coding and interleaving implemented in multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) communication systems. As described herein, a wide variety of irregular LDPC codes may be generated using GRS or RS codes. A variety of communication device types are also presented that may employ the error correcting coding (ECC) using a GRS-based irregular LDPC code, along with appropriately selected interleaving, to provide for communications using ECC. These communication devices may be implemented to in wireless communication systems including those that comply with the recommendation practices and standards being developed by the IEEE 802.11n Task Group (i.e., the Task Group that is working to develop a standard for 802.11 TGn (High Throughput)).

Abstract: A short length LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) code and modulation adapted for high speed Ethernet applications. In some instances, the short length LDPC code and modulation may be employed within the recommended practices currently being developed by the IEEE 802.3an (10GBASE-T) Task Force. The IEEE 802.3an (10GBASE-T) Task Force has been commissioned to develop and standardize communications protocol adapted particularly for Ethernet operation over 4 wire twisted pair cables. A new LDPC code, some possible embodiments of constellations and the corresponding mappings, as well as possible embodiments of various parity check matrices, H, of the LDPC code are presented herein to provide for better overall performance than other proposed LDPC codes existent in the art of high speed Ethernet applications. Moreover, this proposed LDPC code may be decoded using a communication device having much less complexity than required to decode other proposed LDPC codes existent in this technology space.

Abstract: Construction of Irregular LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) codes using RS (Reed-Solomon) codes or GRS (Generalized Reed-Solomon) codes. As described herein, a wide variety of irregular LDPC codes may be generated using GRS or RS codes. The corresponding LDPC matrix of such an irregular LDPC code may be constructed by performing partial-matrix processing (including decomposition and partial-matrix replacement thereof) of a parity check matrix that corresponds to a GRS-based regular LDPC code. Such an irregular LDPC code may be appropriately designed using these principles thereby generating a code that is suitable for use in wireless communication systems including those that comply with the recommendation practices and standards being developed by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers) 802.11n Task Group (i.e., the Task Group that is working to develop a standard for 802.11 TGn (High Throughput)).

Abstract: Flexible rate matching. No constraints or restrictions are placed on a sending communication device when effectuating rate matching. The receiving communication device is able to accommodate received transmissions of essentially any size (e.g., up to an entire turbo codeword that includes all systematic bits and all parity bits). The receiving communication device employs a relatively small-sized memory to ensure a lower cost, smaller sized communication device (e.g., handset or user equipment such as a personal wireless communication device). Moreover, incremental redundancy is achieved in which successive transmissions need not include repeated information therein (e.g., a second transmission need not include any repeated information from a first transmission). Only when reaching an end of a block of bits or codeword to be transmitted, and when wrap around at the end of such block of bits or codeword occurs, would any repeat of bits be incurred within a later transmission.

Abstract: Construction of LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) codes using GRS (Generalized Reed-Solomon) code. A novel approach is presented by which a GRS code may be employed to generate a wide variety of types of LDPC codes. Such GRS based LDPC codes may be employed within various types of transceiver devices implemented within communication systems. This approach may be employed to generate GRS based LDPC codes particular designed for various application arenas. As one example, such a GRS based LDPC code may be specifically designed for use in communication systems that operate in accordance with any standards and/or recommended practices of the IEEE P802.3an (10GBASE-T) Task Force.

Abstract: Sub-matrix-based implementation of LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) decoder. A novel approach is presented by which an LDPC coded signal is decoded by processing 1 sub-matrix at a time. A low density parity check matrix corresponding to the LDPC code includes rows and columns of sub-matrices. For example, when performing bit node processing, 1 or more sub-matrices in a column are processed; when performing check node processing, 1 or more sub-matrices in a row are processed. If desired, when performing bit node processing, the sub-matrices in each column are successively processed together (e.g., all column 1 sub-matrices, all column 2 sub-matrices, etc.). Analogously, when performing check node processing, the sub-matrices in each row can be successively processed together (e.g., all row 1 sub-matrices, all row 2 sub-matrices in row 2, etc.).

Abstract: LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) coding and interleaving implemented in multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) communication systems. As described herein, a wide variety of irregular LDPC codes may be generated using GRS or RS codes. A variety of communication device types are also presented that may employ the error correcting coding (ECC) using a GRS-based irregular LDPC code, along with appropriately selected interleaving, to provide for communications using ECC. These communication devices may be implemented to in wireless communication systems including those that comply with the recommendation practices and standards being developed by the IEEE 802.11n Task Group (i.e., the Task Group that is working to develop a standard for 802.11 TGn (High Throughput)).

Abstract: LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) coded 128 DSQ (Double Square QAM) constellation modulation and its associated labeling. A novel means is introduced by which a constellation may be arranged and mapping in its symbols may be determined to provide for improved performance. One application area in which this may be employed is transmission over twisted pair (typically copper) cabling existent within data centers of various networks. The operation of the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet local area networks currently being used (as well as those currently under development) would benefit greatly by employing the various principles presented herein. When this novel approach of an LDPC coded 128 DSQ constellation modulation combined with TH (Tomlinson-Harashima) preceding is employed within a communication device at a transmitter end of a communication channel (i.e., in a transmitter and/or a transceiver), the overall operation of a communication system may improve significantly when compared to prior techniques.

Abstract: AMP (Accelerated Message Passing) decoder adapted for LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) codes. A novel approach is presented by which the LDPC coded signals may be decoded in a more efficient, faster, and less computationally intensive manner. Soft bit information, generated from decoding a higher layer square sub-matrix of a parity check matrix of the LDPC code, is employed to assist in the decoding of other square sub-matrices in subsequent layers. This approach allows the decoding of an LDPC code whose parity check matrix has column weight more than 1 (e.g., 2 or more), thereby allowing a much broader selection of LDPC codes to be employed in various communication systems. This approach also provides much improvement in terms of BER/BLER as a function of Eb/No (or SNR), and it can provide comparable (if not better) performance when performing significantly fewer (e.g., up to 50% fewer) decoding iterations that other approaches.

Abstract: A method for parallel concatenated (Turbo) encoding and decoding. Turbo encoders receive a sequence of input data tuples and encode them. The input sequence may correspond to a sequence of an original data source, or to an already coded data sequence such as provided by a Reed-Solomon encoder. A turbo encoder generally comprises two or more encoders separated by one or more interleavers. The input data tuples may be interleaved using a modulo scheme in which the interleaving is according to some method (such as block or random interleaving) with the added stipulation that the input tuples may be interleaved only to interleaved positions having the same modulo-N (where N is an integer) as they have in the input data sequence. If all the input tuples are encoded by all encoders then output tuples can be chosen sequentially from the encoders and no tuples will be missed.

Abstract: Symbol by symbol variable code rate capable communication device. A communication device is operable to perform processing of a variable code rate signal whose code rate varies on a symbol by symbol basis. This may involve performing encoding of input to generate the variable code rate signal; alternatively, this may involve performing decoding of a variable code rate signal. In doing so, this approach may involve using a single encoder and/or decoder (depending on the application). In some instances, a single device is operable to encode a first variable code rate signal (for transmission to another device) and to decode a second variable code rate signal (that has been received from another device). In addition, a method of coding (including one or both of encoding and decoding) may also operate of a variable code rate signal whose code rate varies on a symbol by symbol basis.

Abstract: Decoding LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) code and graphs using multiplication (or addition in log-domain) on both sides of bipartite graph. Decoding of LDPC coded signals is presented whereby edge messages may be updated using only multiplication (or log domain addition). By appropriate modification of the various calculations that need to be performed when updating edge messages, the calculations may be reduced to only performing product of terms functions. When implementing such functionality in hardware within a communication device that is operable to decode LDPC coded signals, this reduction in processing complexity greatly eases the actual hardware's complexity as well. A significant savings in processing resources, memory, memory management concerns, and other performance driving parameters may be made.

Abstract: A communications system, having a combination Reed-Solomon encoder and a Turbo-Code encoder Data frame configuration which may be changed to accommodate embedded submarkers of known value are embedded in with the data order to aid synchronization in the receiver system, by providing strings of known symbols. The string of known symbols may be the same as the symbols within a training header that appears at the beginning of a data frame. Frame parameters may be tailored to individual users and may be controlled by information pertaining to receivers, such as bit error rate, of the receiver. Additional headers may be interspersed within the data in order to assist in receiver synchronization. Frames of data may be acquired quickly by a receiver by having a string of symbols representing the phase offset between successive header symbols in the header training sequence in order to determine the carrier offset.