Viterbi Decoder

Decode convolutionally encoded data using Viterbi algorithm

Library

Convolutional sublibrary of Error Detection and Correction

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Description

The Viterbi Decoder block decodes input symbols to produce binary output symbols. This block can process several symbols at a time for faster performance.

This block can output sequences that vary in length during simulation. For more information about sequences that vary in length, or variable-size signals, see Variable-Size Signal Basics (Simulink).

Input and Output Sizes

If the convolutional code uses an alphabet of 2ⁿ possible symbols, this block's input vector length is L*n for some positive integer L. Similarly, if the decoded data uses an alphabet of 2^k possible output symbols, this block's output vector length is L*k.

This block accepts a column vector input signal with any positive integer value for L. For variable-sized inputs, the L can vary during simulation. The operation of the block is governed by the operation mode parameter.

For information about the data types each block port supports, see the Supported Data Types table on this page.

Input Values and Decision Types

The entries of the input vector are either bipolar, binary, or integer data, depending on the Decision type parameter.

Decision type Parameter	Possible Entries in Decoder Input	Interpretation of Values	Branch metric calculation
Unquantized	Real numbers	Positive real: logical zero Negative real: logical one	Euclidean distance
Hard Decision	0, 1	0: logical zero 1: logical one	Hamming distance
Soft Decision	Integers between 0 and 2b-1, where b is the Number of soft decision bits parameter.	0: most confident decision for logical zero 2b-1: most confident decision for logical one Other values represent less confident decisions.	Hamming distance

To illustrate the soft decision situation more explicitly, the following table lists interpretations of values for 3-bit soft decisions.

Input Value	Interpretation
0	Most confident zero
1	Second most confident zero
2	Third most confident zero
3	Least confident zero
4	Least confident one
5	Third most confident one
6	Second most confident one
7	Most confident one

Operation Modes for Inputs

The Viterbi decoder block has three possible methods for transitioning between successive input frames. The Operation mode parameter controls which method the block uses:

• In Continuous mode, the block saves its internal state metric at the end of each input, for use with the next frame. Each traceback path is treated independently.

• In Truncated mode, the block treats each input independently. The traceback path starts at the state with the best metric and always ends in the all-zeros state. This mode is appropriate when the corresponding Convolutional Encoder block has its Operation mode set to Truncated (reset every frame).

• In Terminated mode, the block treats each input independently, and the traceback path always starts and ends in the all-zeros state. This mode is appropriate when the uncoded message signal (that is, the input to the corresponding Convolutional Encoder block) has enough zeros at the end of each input to fill all memory registers of the feed-forward encoder. If the encoder has k input streams and constraint length vector constr (using the polynomial description), “enough” means k*max(constr-1). For feedback encoders, this mode is appropriate if the corresponding Convolutional Encoder block has Operation mode set to Terminate trellis by appending bits.

Note

When this block outputs sequences that vary in length during simulation and you set the Operation mode to Truncated or Terminated, the block's state resets at every input time step.

Use the Continuous mode when the input signal contains only one symbol.

Reset Port

The reset port is usable only when the Operation mode parameter is set to Continuous. Selecting Enable reset input port gives the block an additional input port, labeled Rst. When the Rst input is nonzero, the decoder returns to its initial state by configuring its internal memory as follows:

• Sets the all-zeros state metric to zero.

• Sets all other state metrics to the maximum value.

• Sets the traceback memory to zero.

Using a reset port on this block is analogous to setting Operation mode in the Convolutional Encoder block to Reset on nonzero input via port.

The reset port supports double or boolean typed signals.

Fixed-Point Signal Flow Diagram

There are three main components to the Viterbi decoding algorithm. They are branch metric computation (BMC), add-compare and select (ACS), and traceback decoding (TBD). The following diagram illustrates the signal flow for a k/n rate code.

As an example of a BMC diagram, a 1/2 rate, nsdec = 3 signal flow would be as follows.

$$\begin{array}{c}WL=nsdec+n-1\\ n=2\Rightarrow WL=4\end{array}$$

The ACS component is generally illustrated as shown in the following diagram.

Where WL2 is specified on the mask by the user.

In the flow diagrams above, inNT, bMetNT , stMetNT, and outNT are numerictype (Fixed-Point Designer) objects, and bMetFIMATH and stMetFIMATH, are fimath (Fixed-Point Designer) objects.

Puncture Pattern Examples

For some commonly used puncture patterns for specific rates and polynomials, see the last three references.

Fixed-Point Viterbi Decoding Examples

The Perform Fixed-Point Hard Decision Viterbi Decoding and Perform Fixed-Point Soft Decision Viterbi Decoding examples configure the Viterbi decoder block to use fixed-point processing for hard- and soft-decision convolutional decoding.

The examples highlight the fixed-point modeling attributes of the Viterbi decoder, using a familiar layout.

Overview of the Simulations

The two simulations have a similar structure and have most parameters in common. A data source produces a random binary sequence that is convolutionally encoded, BPSK modulated, and passed through an AWGN channel.

The Convolutional encoder is configured as a rate 1/2 encoder. For every 2 bits, the encoder adds another 2 redundant bits. To accommodate this, and add the correct amount of noise, the Eb/No (dB) parameter of the AWGN block is in effect halved by subtracting 10*log10(2).

For the hard-decision case, the BPSK demodulator produces hard decisions, at the receiver, which are passed onto the decoder.

For the soft-decision case, the BPSK demodulator produces soft decisions, at the receiver, using the log-likelihood ratio. These soft outputs are 3-bit quantized and passed onto the decoder.

After the decoding, the simulation compares the received decoded symbols with the original transmitted symbols in order to compute the bit error rate. The simulation ends after processing 100 bit errors or 1e6 bits, whichever comes first.

Fixed-Point Modeling

Fixed-point modeling enables bit-true simulations which take into account hardware implementation considerations and the dynamic range of the data/parameters. For example, if the target hardware is a DSP microprocessor, some of the possible word lengths are 8, 16, or 32 bits, whereas if the target hardware is an ASIC or FPGA, there may be more flexibility in the word length selection.

To enable fixed-point Viterbi decoding, the block input must be of type ufix1 (unsigned integer of word length 1) for hard decisions. Based on this input (either a 0 or a 1), the internal branch metrics are calculated using an unsigned integer of word length = (number of output bits), as specified by the trellis structure (which equals 2 for the hard-decision example).

For soft decisions, the block input must be of type ufixN (unsigned integer of word length N), where N is the number of soft-decision bits, to enable fixed-point decoding. The block inputs must be integers in the range 0 to 2^N-1. The internal branch metrics are calculated using an unsigned integer of word length = (N + number of output bits - 1), as specified by the trellis structure (which equals 4 for the soft-decision example).

The State metric word length is specified by the user and usually must be greater than the branch metric word length already calculated. You can tune this to be the most suitable value (based on hardware and/or data considerations) by reviewing the logged data for the system.

Enable the logging by selecting Apps > Fixed-Point Tool. In the Fixed-Point Setting GUI, set the Fixed-point instruments mode to Minimums, maximums and overflows, and rerun the simulation. If you see overflows, it implies the data did not fit in the selected container. You could either increase the size of the word length (if your hardware allows it) or try scaling the data prior to processing it. Based on the minimum and maximum values of the data, you are also able to determine whether the selected container is of the appropriate size.

Try running simulations with different values of State metric word length to get an idea of its effect on the algorithm. You should be able to narrow down the parameter to a suitable value that has no adverse effect on the BER results.

Comparisons with Double-Precision Data

To run the same model with double precision data, Select Apps > Fixed-Point Tool. In the Fixed-Point Tool GUI, select the Data type override to be Double. This selection overrides all data type settings in all the blocks to use double precision. For the Viterbi Decoder block, as Output type was set to Boolean, this parameter should also be set to double.

Upon simulating the model, note that the double-precision and fixed-point BER results are the same. They are the same because the fixed-point parameters for the model have been selected to avoid any loss of precision while still being most efficient.

Comparisons Between Hard and Soft-Decision Decoding

The two models are set up to run from within BERTool to generate a simulation curve that compares the BER performance for hard-decision versus soft-decision decoding.

To generate simulation results for Perform Fixed-Point Hard Decision Viterbi Decoding, do the following:

1. Open the Perform Fixed-Point Hard Decision Viterbi Decoding example to get the simulink model on path.

2. Type bertool at the MATLAB command prompt.

3. Go to the Monte Carlo pane.

4. Set the Eb/No range to 2:5.

5. Set the Simulation model to cm_viterbi_harddec_fixpt. Make sure that the model is on path.

6. Set the BER variable name to BER.

7. Set the Number of errors to 100, and the Number of bits to 1e6.

8. Press Run and a plot is generated.

To generate simulation results for Perform Fixed-Point Soft Decision Viterbi Decoding, open the example to get simulink model on path, change the change the Simulation model to cm_viterbi_softdec_fixpt, and press Run.

Notice that, as expected, 3-bit soft-decision decoding is better than hard-decision decoding, roughly to the tune of 1.7 dB, and not 2 dB as commonly cited. The difference in the expected results could be attributed to the imperfect quantization of the soft outputs from the demodulator.

Parameters

Trellis structure

MATLAB^® structure that contains the trellis description of the convolutional encoder. Use the same value here and in the corresponding Convolutional Encoder block.

Punctured code

Select this check box to specify a punctured input code. The field, Punctured code, appears.

Puncture vector

Constant puncture pattern vector used at the transmitter (encoder). The puncture vector is a pattern of 1s and 0s. The 0s indicate the punctured bits. When you select Punctured code, the Punctured vector field appears.

Enable erasures input port

When you check this box, the decoder opens an input port labeled Era. Through this port, you can specify an erasure vector pattern of 1s and 0s, where the 1s indicate the erased bits.

For these erasures in the incoming data stream, the decoder does not update the branch metric. The widths and the sample times of the erasure and the input data ports must be the same. The erasure input port can be of data type double or Boolean.

Decision type

Specifies the use of Unquantized, Hard Decision, or Soft Decision for the branch metric calculation.

• Unquantized decision uses the Euclidean distance to calculate the branch metrics.

• Soft Decision and Hard Decision use the Hamming distance to calculate the branch metrics, where Number of soft decision bits equals 1.

Number of soft decision bits

The number of soft decision bits to represent each input. This field is active only when Decision type is set to Soft Decision.

Error if quantized input values are out of range

Select this check box to throw an error when quantized input values are out of range. This check box is active only when Decision type is set to Soft Decision or Hard Decision.

Traceback depth

The number of trellis branches to construct each traceback path.

Operation mode

Method for transitioning between successive input frames: Continuous, Terminated, and Truncated.

Note

When this block outputs sequences that vary in length during simulation and you set the Operation mode to Truncated or Terminated, the block's state resets at every input time step.

Enable reset input port

When you check this box, the decoder opens an input port labeled Rst. Providing a nonzero input value to this port causes the block to set its internal memory to the initial state before processing the input data.

Delay reset action to next time step

When you select this option, the Viterbi Decoder block resets after decoding the encoded data. This option is available only when you set Operation mode to Continuous and select Enable reset input port. You must enable this option for HDL support.

Output data type

The output signal's data type can be double, single, boolean, int8, uint8, int16, uint16, int32, uint32, or set to 'Inherit via internal rule' or 'Smallest unsigned integer'.

When set to 'Smallest unsigned integer', the output data type is selected based on the settings used in the Hardware Implementation pane of the Configuration Parameters dialog box of the model. If ASIC/FPGA is selected in the Hardware Implementation pane, the output data type is ufix(1). For all other selections, it is an unsigned integer with the smallest specified wordlength corresponding to the char value (e.g., uint8).

When set to 'Inherit via internal rule' (the default setting), the block selects double-typed outputs for double inputs, single-typed outputs for single inputs, and behaves similarly to the 'Smallest unsigned integer' option for all other typed inputs.

Supported Data Types

Port	Supported Data Types
Input	Double-precision floating point Single-precision floating point Boolean for Hard decision mode 8-, 16-, and 32-bit signed integers (for Hard decision and Soft decision modes) 8-, 16-, and 32-bit unsigned integers (for Hard decision and Soft decision modes) ufix(n), where n represents the Number of soft decision bits
Output	Double-precision floating point Single-precision floating point Boolean 8-, 16-, and 32-bit signed integers 8-, 16-, and 32-bit unsigned integers ufix(1) for ASIC/FPGA mode

References

[1] Clark, George C., and J. Bibb Cain. Error-Correction Coding for Digital Communications. Applications of Communications Theory. New York: Plenum Press, 1981.

[2] Gitlin, Richard D., Jeremiah F. Hayes, and Stephen B. Weinstein. Data Communications Principles. Applications of Communications Theory. New York: Plenum Press, 1992.

[3] Heller, J., and I. Jacobs. “Viterbi Decoding for Satellite and Space Communication.” IEEE Transactions on Communication Technology 19, no. 5 (October 1971): 835–48. https://doi.org/10.1109/TCOM.1971.1090711.

[4] Yasuda, Y., K. Kashiki, and Y. Hirata. “High-Rate Punctured Convolutional Codes for Soft Decision Viterbi Decoding.” IEEE Transactions on Communications 32, no. 3 (March 1984): 315–19. https://doi.org/10.1109/TCOM.1984.1096047.

[5] Haccoun, D., and G. Begin. “High-Rate Punctured Convolutional Codes for Viterbi and Sequential Decoding.” IEEE Transactions on Communications 37, no. 11 (November 1989): 1113–25. https://doi.org/10.1109/26.46505.

[6] Begin, G., D. Haccoun, and C. Paquin. “Further Results on High-Rate Punctured Convolutional Codes for Viterbi and Sequential Decoding.” IEEE Transactions on Communications 38, no. 11 (November 1990): 1922–28. https://doi.org/10.1109/26.61470.

[7] Moision, B. "A Truncation Depth Rule of Thumb for Convolutional Codes." In Information Theory and Applications Workshop (January 27 2008-February 1 2008, San Diego, California), 555-557. New York: IEEE, 2008.

More About

Traceback Depth and Decoding Delay

The traceback depth influences the decoding delay. The decoding delay is the number of zero symbols that precede the first decoded symbol in the output.

• For the continuous operating mode, the decoding delay is equal to the number of traceback depth symbols.

• For the truncated or terminated operating mode, the decoding delay is zero. In this case, the traceback depth must be less than or equal to the number of symbols in each input.

Traceback Depth Estimates

As a general estimate, a typical traceback depth value is approximately two to three times (ConstraintLength – 1) / (1 – coderate). The constraint length of the code, ConstraintLength, is equal to (log2(trellis.numStates) + 1). The coderate is equal to (K / N) × (length(PuncturePattern) / sum(PuncturePattern).

K is the number of input symbols, N is the number of output symbols, and PuncturePattern is the puncture pattern vector.

For example, applying this general estimate, results in these approximate traceback depths.

• A rate 1/2 code has a traceback depth of 5(ConstraintLength – 1).

• A rate 2/3 code has a traceback depth of 7.5(ConstraintLength – 1).

• A rate 3/4 code has a traceback depth of 10(ConstraintLength – 1).

• A rate 5/6 code has a traceback depth of 15(ConstraintLength – 1).

For more information, see [7].

Extended Capabilities

C/C++ Code Generation
Generate C and C++ code using Simulink® Coder™.

HDL Code Generation

Generate Verilog and VHDL code for FPGA and ASIC designs using HDL Coder™.

HDL Coder™ provides additional configuration options that affect HDL implementation and synthesized logic.

Note

For decoding data encoded with truncated or terminated modes, or punctured codes, use the Viterbi Decoder (Wireless HDL Toolbox) block from Wireless HDL Toolbox™.

HDL Coder supports the following features of the Viterbi Decoder block:

• Non-recursive encoder/decoder with feed-forward trellis and simple shift register generation configuration

• Continuous mode

• Sample-based input

• Decoder rates from 1/2 to 1/7

• Constraint length from 3 to 9

When Decision type is set to Soft decision, the HDL implementation of the Viterbi Decoder block supports fixed-point inputs and output. For input, the fixed-point data type must be ufixN. N is the number of soft-decision bits. Signed built-in data types (int8, int16, int32) are not supported. For output, the HDL implementation of the Viterbi Decoder block supports block-supported output data types.

When Decision type is set to Hard decision, the block supports input with data types ufix1 and Boolean. For output, the HDL implementation of the Viterbi Decoder block supports block-supported output data types. The HDL implementation of the Viterbi Decoder block does not support double and single input data types. The block does not support floating point output for fixed-point inputs.

The Viterbi Decoder block decodes every bit by tracing back through a traceback depth that you define for the block. The block implements a complete traceback for each decision bit, using registers to store the minimum state index and branch decision in the traceback decoding unit. There are two methods to optimize the traceback logic: a pipelined register-based implementation or a RAM-based architecture. See the HDL Code Generation for Viterbi Decoder example.

Register-Based Traceback

You can specify that the traceback decoding unit be pipelined to improve the speed of the generated circuit. You can add pipeline registers to the traceback unit by specifying the number of traceback stages per pipeline register.

Using the TracebackStagesPerPipeline implementation parameter, you can balance the circuit performance based on system requirements. A smaller parameter value indicates the requirement to add more registers to increase the speed of the traceback circuit. Increasing the parameter value results in fewer registers along with a decrease in the circuit speed.

RAM-Based Traceback

Instead of using registers, you can choose to use RAMs to save the survivor branch information. The coder does not support Enable reset input port when using RAM-based traceback.

1. Right-click the block and open HDL Code > HDL Block Properties. Set the Architecture property to RAM-based Traceback.

2. Double-click the block and set the Traceback depth on the Viterbi Decoder block mask.

RAM-based traceback and register-based traceback differ in the following ways:

• The RAM-based implementation traces back through one set of data to find the initial state to decode the previous set of data. The register-based implementation combines the traceback and decode operations into one step. It uses the best state found from the minimum operation as the decoding initial state.

• RAM-based implementation traces back through M samples, decodes the previous M bits in reverse order, and releases one bit in order at each clock cycle. The register-based implementation decodes one bit after a complete traceback.

Because of the differences in the two traceback algorithms, the RAM-based implementation produces different numerical results than the register-based traceback. A longer traceback depth, for example, 10 times the constraint length, is recommended in the RAM-based traceback. This depth achieves a similar bit error rate (BER) as the register-based implementation. The size of RAM required for the implementation depends on the trellis and the traceback depth.

HDL Block Properties

ConstrainedOutputPipeline	Number of registers to place at the outputs by moving existing delays within your design. Distributed pipelining does not redistribute these registers. The default is 0. For more details, see ConstrainedOutputPipeline (HDL Coder).
InputPipeline	Number of input pipeline stages to insert in the generated code. Distributed pipelining and constrained output pipelining can move these registers. The default is 0. For more details, see InputPipeline (HDL Coder).
OutputPipeline	Number of output pipeline stages to insert in the generated code. Distributed pipelining and constrained output pipelining can move these registers. The default is 0. For more details, see OutputPipeline (HDL Coder).
TracebackStagesPerPipeline	See Register-Based Traceback.

Restrictions

• Punctured code: Do not select this option. Punctured code requires frame-based input, which HDL Coder does not support.

• Decision type: The coder does not support the Unquantized decision type.

• Error if quantized input values are out of range: The coder does not support this option.

• Operation mode: The coder supports only the Continuous mode.

• Enable reset input port: When you enable both Enable reset input port and Delay reset action to next time step, HDL support is provided. You must select Continuous operation mode, and use register-based traceback.

• You cannot use the Viterbi Decoder block inside a Resettable Synchronous Subsystem (HDL Coder).