Non-binary viterbi decoder using butterfly operations

摘要

A decoder for decoding a data signal using a non-binary trellis diagram by designating binary butterfly trellises within the non- binary trellis is disclosed. The decoder analyzes each designated binary butterfly trellis using the basic Viterbi binary butterfly operation to generate a pair of pathways to each node of the non-binary trellis. The pathways for each node from the basic binary butterfly operations are compared to determine the survivor path for that node.