On the Coding Gain for Degraded Channels

This correspondence deals with the coding gain for harddecisioned codes used over realistic channels. A simulation-based procedure is described, by which the performance (BER) curve of a coded system can be straightforwardly determined. The coding gain for real, i.e., "degraded" channels is discussed, vis-a-vis that for idealized channels. A formula for asymptotic coding gain for the latter type of channel is extended to channels with degradation. Finally, the coding gain for multiple-hop systems is briefly discussed.