Coding for partially localized errors

A model of a communication system over the binary channel is studied. The authors consider the situation when the encoder knows the positions where the errors can (but not necessarily will) occur. In other words, the encoder knows that all symbols outside these dubious positions are transmitted without errors, while those on dubious positions may suffer from errors. On the other hand, the decoder does not have any prior information about the possible error locations. This model, the channel with localized errors, is believed to be useful in analyzing various data storage problems.