A generalised design technique for traceback survivor memory management in Viterbi decoders

There are number of algorithms available for the design of traceback survivor memory units in Viterbi (1967) decoders. Perhaps the best description of the traceback algorithms was given by Feygin et al. (1993), where four separate algorithms were presented. These four algorithms, however, can all be encapsulated in the description of two broader algorithms. In addition a new implementation technique is presented for one family of algorithms. As a result a host of new, low complexity implementations of survivor memory units become possible