Iterative decoding of systematic binary algebraic block codes

In this paper, MAP decoders for single parity check (SPC) codes are applied to the decoding of systematic binary algebraic block codes. We compare the performance of this decoding technique to hard decision syndrome decoding and soft decision brute force decoding. Simulation results are presented for the (7,4,3) and (15,11,3) Hamming codes in the AWGN and Rayleigh fading channels. Using a product (7,4,3) Hamming code, the proposed scheme is also compared to the dual code technique as described Berrou and Glavieux (see IEEE Trans. Communications, vol.44, no.10, p.1261-71, 1996). Although the BER performance is slightly inferior, the proposed scheme is much less complex to implement.