An efficient decoding algorithm for concatenated RS-convolutional codes

In this paper an efficient decoding algorithm is proposed for concatenated coding schemes that use a Reed-Solomon (RS) code as the outer code and a convolutional code as the inner code. We compare the proposed decoding algorithm with Pyndiah´s algorithm in terms of both computational complexity and performance. The proposed decoding algorithm reduces the decoding complexity by adopting Kaneko´s decoding algorithm without suffering a performance loss. Simulation results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed decoding algorithm.