Creeper: an algorithm for decoding convolutional codes

There are two main strategies for decoding convolutional codes: the well-known Viterbi algorithm and sequential decoding. This paper presents a comparison of Creeper, an algorithm for sequential decoding, and the Viterbi algorithm. Creeper is an algorithm which combines the best properties of both the stack and the Fano algorithms. It requires less memory than the stack algorithm and has no backward moves as in the Fano algorithm. Some results of simulation show that Creeper is an interesting alternative to the Viterbi algorithm.