Both filterbank theory and error correction codes have been studied extensively during recent decades. In this paper, we first build a bridge between these two theories. We restate some results in error correction coding theory by using filterbank terminologies over finite fields. We then apply filterbank theory to error correction codes for partial response channels (PRC), such as magnetic recording systems. We present necessary and sufficient conditions for uniquely decodable convolutional codes for PRC. We also extend the results to multihead and multitrack recording systems. Examples of uniquely decodable codes are given. With these conditions one is able to check whether a convolutional code in a PRC is uniquely decodable.

Date Published: 22 March 1996
PDF: 12 pages
Proc. SPIE 2762, Wavelet Applications III, (22 March 1996); doi: 10.1117/12.236019

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 2762:
Wavelet Applications III
Harold H. Szu, Editor(s)