Scribd
Upload
54 views

Difference Between Linear Block Codes and Convolutional Codes

Linear block codes partition information into blocks and add parity bits to each block, while convolutional codes use shift registers and encode information over time based on previous bits. Linear block codes are preferred for random errors while convolutional codes are preferred for burst errors. Both can detect and correct errors but convolutional codes have simpler hardware while linear block codes can handle larger block sizes.

Uploaded by

getamesay bayou
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
54 views

Difference Between Linear Block Codes and Convolutional Codes

Linear block codes partition information into blocks and add parity bits to each block, while convolutional codes use shift registers and encode information over time based on previous bits. Linear block codes are preferred for random errors while convolutional codes are preferred for burst errors. Both can detect and correct errors but convolutional codes have simpler hardware while linear block codes can handle larger block sizes.

Uploaded by

getamesay bayou
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Difference Between Linear Block Codes and

Convolutional Codes
Information theory is a branch of probability theory that terms of error probability. An errorless
transmission is possible when the probability of error at the receiver approaches 0. It is the
numerical computation of the ideas, boundaries, and rules ruling the transmission of messages
through communication systems. The information theory is related to the concept of
information(entropy), where entropy is the average information of any information source and is
denoted by ‘H’.

In a communication system, error-free transmission of the message is the major challenge. Most
of the error occurs in the channel or noise. To overcome this issue, error detection, and
correction techniques are used.

 Encoding: Encoding is the process of converting a message into the binary form i.e in the
form of 0’s and 1’s.
 Decoding: Decoding is the process of extracting the original message from the binary
encoded keyword.

This encoding and decoding are used for data transmission from one place to another.

Linear Block Codes:

It is a simple error control coding technique used for error detection and correction.

 Information data is partitioned into blocks of length K pieces for example Information
word.
 Every information word is then coded into a block of length n bits called a codeword.
Here, n > k
 Also, n = k + r, where ‘r ‘ denotes the parity bits or check bits added to every information
word.
 Vector documentation is utilized for the Data word and Codeword: message m = (m 1, m2
mn ), Codeword c = (c1, c2 cn).
 Consists of Hamming codes, Reed-Solomon codes(RS), Bose–Chaudhuri–
Hocquenghem(BCH), and cyclic codes.

Convolutional Codes:

Convolutional code is one more kind of error-correcting code where the resulting bits are
acquired by putting out an ideal logical procedure on the present bitstream alongside thinking
about the previous bit.
1. In convolutional codes, just the parity bits possibly containing errors are received by the
other user or system, which then decodes it to have the most ideal arrangement of bits i.e
message bit itself.
2. Shift registers are used to store input bits.
3. Block of ‘n’ digit codeword generated in the encoding depends on not only ‘k’ message
digits, but also on the previous m-1 message blocks.
4. Consists of Turbo codes and a Trellis diagram.

Difference Between Linear Block Codes and Convolutional Codes:

Linear Block codes and Convolutional codes are both error control codes used for error
detection and correction coding. The main differences between both these codes are listed below:

S.
Linear Block Codes Convolutional Codes
No
Block codes take k input bits and produce n Convolutional codes take a small number of
1. output bits where k and n are very large. input bits and produce a small number of
(when k>1), k is the number of message bits output bits for each period. (when K=1).
In Convolutional codes, information bits are
In Linear Block codes, information bits are
2. not followed by parity bits instead spread
immediately followed by the parity bits.
along the sequence.
Encoding of the current state is independent Encoding of the current state depends on the
of the previous state and thus it does not have previous state and past elements, thus it has a
3.
any memory element. It depends only upon memory element for storing previous state
the present message bit. information.
4. Block codes are preferred in systematic form Convolutional codes are preferred in the non-
and have an efficient structure i.e position of systematic form and no such efficient
parity or check bits is well defined structure i.e position of parity or check bits is
S.
Linear Block Codes Convolutional Codes
No
not defined
Block codes are suitable for detecting and Convolutional codes are suitable for
5.
preventing random errors detecting and preventing burst errors
The hardware component of Block codes is The hardware component of Convolutional
6. complex and the encoding process is a bit Codes is simpler and the encoding process is
difficult. easy.
Types of Linear Block codes are Hamming
Types of Convolutional codes are Turbo
7. codes, BCH codes, cyclic codes, Reed-
codes and Trellis code
Solomon codes

All these codes use a different type of algorithm or technique to identify the error bit and to
resolve it by adding or removing some bits. Further, there are various types of cyclic codes also
for the generation and detection of an error in the channel due to various reasons like noise, etc.

Both the linear block codes and convolutional codes are used in various domains and have a
wide range of applications, for example, cybersecurity, cryptography, theory of computation,
biology( representing DNA codes), etc.

You might also like