Coding using multiple block (d,k) codes

It is shown that, for independent block coding of binary data to (d,k) sequences, there are advantages in utilizing multiple (d,k) block codes. A formulation is given for determining the best choice of successive constraints on encoded channel blocks for the maximum independent block coding rate. Given these constraints, independent (d,k) block codes with improved code rates are constructed. The authors show how to determine the capacity of a (d,k) code given an imposed channel block structure, where certain positions within each block are constrained to be zero. The technique presented here can be extended to determine the capacity of (d,k) codes with arbitrary periodic synchronization patterns