Vector coding with decision feedback equalization for partial response channels

The authors develop a block decision-feedback equalizer (BDFE) for partial response channels. The BDFE removes interference between successive blocks of channel inputs. Vector coding with the BDFE decreases the block length required for large coding gains on the partial response channels considered. For systems operating at low bit rates, vector coding with the BDFE achieves coding gains greater than 3 dB (over the uncoded flat channel performance) on partial response channels of the form (1-D)(1+D)^m with a 16-state, four-dimensional coset code. These gains are achieved with block lengths as low as 10. The authors also develop a block precoder which achieves the same coding gains as the BDFE but avoids any potential error propagation problems that decision-feedback equalization may cause