Types of FEC coding

There are two main types of forward error correction coding scheme:
  • Block coding – where a group (block) of bits is processed as a whole in order to generate a new (longer) coded block for transmission. A complementary block decoder is used in the receiver. Block coding is described in detail in Section 7.3.
  • Convolutional coding – operates on the incoming serial bit stream generating a real-time encoded serial output stream. A complementary serial (convolutional) decoder is used in the receiver. Convolutional coding is described in detail in Section 7.5.