Iterative decoding of generalized concatenated Blokh-Zyablov-codes

The aim of this study is to look at the performance of an iterative decoding algorithm applied to the decoding of Blokh-Zyablov (1974) codes using non-systematic and non-recursive convolutional codes; where, the decoding principle can be also applied to block codes. In addition, this study allows us to compare this coding scheme with the turbo code and with a single convolutional code. The results showed that the coding gain at a BER of 10^-4 for the iterative BZ-code and for turbo coding is quite the same compared to convolutional coding in AWGN and in Rayleigh-fading channels. This gain for both coding schemes (BZ and turbo) using a soft-output Viterbi-decoding algorithm in AWGN and in Rayleigh-fading channels is 1.3 dB and 1.5 dB, respectively. Compared to uncoded BPSK, the coding gain for both schemes is much higher: 6.3 dB in AWGN and about 30 dB in a Rayleigh fading channel; which is quite significant