On the use of modern coding techniques in QR applications

Quick-Response (QR) codes are the highest capacity two-dimensional barcodes that are frequently used in daily life. Their frequent use makes them vulnerable to errors caused as a result of environmental factors. Thus, Reed-Solomon (RS) error correction codes are used in QR code standards. Although RS codes can guarantee a certain amount of error correction, their high encoding and decoding complexities and their inability to employ flexible code lengths constitute their main disadvantages. In this work, we propose the application of modern error control codes codes, specifically low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes, to QR applications. These codes offer a higher bit error performance compared to RS codes when the amount of noise a QR code experiences increase. We demonstrate this improved error performance via computer simulations. Furthermore, we also demonstrate that LDPC code constructions allow a more flexible QR code design process.