Maximum slope convolutional codes

The slope is an important distance parameter for a convolutional code. It can be used to obtain a lower bound on the active burst distance and in this respect essentially determines the error-correcting capability of the code. An upper bound on the slope of rate R=b/c convolutional codes is derived. A new family of convolutional codes, called the maximum slope (MS) code family, is introduced. Tables for rate R=1/2 MS codes with memory 1≤m≤6 are presented. Additionally, some new rate R=(c-1)/c, 3≤c≤6, punctured convolutional codes with rate R=1/2 optimum free distance (OFD) and MS mother codes are presented. Simulation results for the bit error performance of serially concatenated turbo codes with MS component codes are presented.