Convolutional Code: A Memory-Based Encoding Technique

Convolutional code is a memory-based encoding technique that enables error detection and correction during data transmission. The Viterbi decoding algorithm, implemented through dedicated functions, serves as an efficient method for reconstructing original data from encoded sequences. This algorithm operates by calculating path probabilities through cumulative metric computations and trellis traversal, selecting the most likely decoding path via dynamic programming principles. The implementation typically involves key components such as branch metric calculation, add-compare-select operations, and traceback mechanisms. By optimizing these computational steps, the Viterbi decoder significantly enhances decoding accuracy while maintaining manageable complexity. Consequently, in convolutional code applications, the Viterbi decoding function plays a critical role in ensuring data reliability and integrity through maximum-likelihood sequence estimation techniques.