The decodability and correctability of codes

Abstract

Given a noisy communication channel γ, the aim of this paper is to investigate γ-decodable codes and γ-correctable codes. Examples are given for channels with possible errors caused by deletions. The γ-correctability does not imply γ-decodability but ensures error recovery. In general, the properties of γ-correctability and γ-decodability have little in common. Some general properties concerning γ-decodable codes and γ-correctable codes are derived. Moreover, we propose a special kind of codes called γ-separable codes having a unique decodability.

Keywords:

• code
• channel
• decodability
• correctability

AMS Subject Classification :

• 68R15

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank the referees for their careful reading of the manuscript and valuable suggestions. This work was supported by the National Science Council R.O.C. under Grant NSC 94-2115-M-005-007.