EXIT-Chart Aided Code Design for Symbol-Based Entanglement-Assisted Classical Communication over Quantum Channels

Quantum-based transmission is an attractive solution conceived for achieving absolute security. In this quest, we have conceived an EXtrinsic Information Transfer (EXIT) chart aided channel code design for symbol-based entanglement-assisted classical communication over quantum depolarizing channels. Our proposed concatenated code design incorporates a Convolutional Code (CC), a symbol-based Unity Rate Code (URC) and a soft-decision aided 2-qubit Superdense Code (2SD), which is hence referred to as a CC-URC-2SD arrangement. We have optimized our design with the aid of non-binary EXIT charts. Our proposed design operates within 1 dB of the achievable capacity, providing attractive performance gains over its bit-based counterpart. Quantitatively, the bit-based scheme requires 60% more iterations than our symbol-based scheme for the sake of achieving perfect decoding convergence. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the decoding complexity can be reduced by using memory-2 and memory-3 convolutional codes, while still outperforming the bit-based approach.