Improved concatenated coding/decoding for deep space probes

Coding and decoding alternatives to improve the energy efficiency of the concatenated Reed-Solomon (RS) convolutional coding scheme used in deep space missions, as recommended by the CCSDS, are discussed. It is shown via decoder simulations that a nonuniform RS code profile, combined with state pinning in the inner trellis decoder, can improve performance about 0.6 dB at P_b=10^-3 relative to the baseline decoder performance, without change in bandwidth or inner decoder complexity