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.