It is well known that convolutional codes can be optimally decoded by using the Viterbi Algorithm (VA). We propose a decoding technique where the VA is applied to identify the error vector rather than the information message. We previously focused on convolutional coders of rate ½ [4] [5]. Here we generalize the method to codes of any rate. We show that, with the proposed type of decoding, the exhaustive computation of a vast majority of state to state iterations is unnecessary. Hence, performance close to optimum is achievable with a significant reduction of complexity. The higher the SNR, the greater the improvement for reduction in complexity. For instance, for SNR greater than 3 dB, a five fold reduction in complexity for the computation of ACS (Add Compare Select) is achieved.
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