Implementation of microprocessors in trellis decoding of convolutional codes

The complexity of the digital circuit concerned with the trellis (Viterbi) decoder of a convolutional code is greater than other channel coding-decoding techniques, and it is recognised that the use of such a powerful coding-decoding technique in commercial data and voice communications systems is a serious problem. A prospective solution is to use a microprocessor system to combat the complexity of the system. A case study for implementing a common 8-bit microprocessor system is given; some results are presented and some space against speed trade-offs are discussed.