The Engineer’s Error Coding Handbook

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xv

   PDF

2. Error detection

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

      PDF

   2. Introduction

      • A. D. Houghton

      Pages 3-6

   3. Parity checking

      • A. D. Houghton

      Pages 7-11

   4. Cyclic redundancy checking

      • A. D. Houghton

      Pages 12-24

3. Error correction, an introduction

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 25-25

      PDF

   2. Hamming codes

      • A. D. Houghton

      Pages 27-34

   3. Error correction using the CRC

      • A. D. Houghton

      Pages 35-43

4. Time domain Reed-Solomon coding

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 45-45

      PDF

   2. Correcting errors in the time domain

      • A. D. Houghton

      Pages 47-61

   3. Correcting two symbols

      • A. D. Houghton

      Pages 62-73

5. Frequency domain Reed-Solomon coding

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 75-75

      PDF

   2. Frequency domain coding

      • A. D. Houghton

      Pages 77-103

   3. Mixed domain error coding

      • A. D. Houghton

      Pages 104-112

6. Packaging the data

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 113-113

      PDF

   2. Block-interleaving

      • A. D. Houghton

      Pages 115-120

   3. Multi-dimensional data structures

      • A. D. Houghton

      Pages 121-134

   4. Convolutional coding

      • A. D. Houghton

      Pages 135-152

7. Practical considerations

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 153-153

      PDF

   2. Manipulating elements with hardware

      • A. D. Houghton

      Pages 155-171

Error coding is a fascinating subject as much, if not more so, as it is an indispensable part of modem engineering systems. Unfortunately, in a bid to remain general and to create a solid foundation upon which to build, many books on this subject are out of the reach of those with more engineering-based, or non-mathematical backgrounds. This is a pity because in many cases the maths is tractable with few and simple rules. If we are content to believe that it works, and let others worry about the deeper mysteries of how or why, then with a little practice the design and implementation of practical error coding systems becomes straightforward. In this text I have attempted to reveal the useful kernel of the subject, removing the shell of terms and proofs that usually surrounds it. Being somewhat empirical in nature ( an empiricist), and occasionally heard to quote the adage, 'if it works twice it's a law', my explanations take this form. For many, including myself, abstract ideas are often better grasped by practical illustration than from yards of theory.

• Hardware
• Interleaving
• Software
• Symbol
• communication
• computer

`... will gladden the heart of the practically inclined... Whether one wants to practise or to move into the research world, this book can act as an excellent launch-pad. ...other textbooks on various topics in this area written in Houghton's style would be very welcome indeed.'
Measurement Science and Technology

• Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

  A. D. Houghton

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