Viterbi decoding algorithm for convolutional codes with repeat request

Using the Viterbi decoding algorithm with repeat request for convolutional codes is proposed, and the resulting performance is analyzed by random coding and generating function arguments and by simulation. It is shown that the reliability function of the proposed decoding algorithm is asymptotically twice that of the Viterbi decoding algorithm without repeat request, and that in certain practical situations the proposed algorithm can save about 50 percent in constraint length over the ordinary Viterbi algorithm for a given performance.