An error control technique for high data rate communication networks

A new method is discussed for modifying majority-logic convolutional decoders for use in a type-I hybrid-ARQ protocol. In standard forward error correcting (FEC) operation, these decoders generate reliability information in the form of orthogonal sets of parity check sums. The modified decoder uses this information to identify received packets whose decoded data may be unreliable and to request retransmission of these packets. It is shown through analysis and simulation that the resulting error control system provides substantially higher data reliability than its FEC counterpart at the expense of a very small reduction in data throughput