On the use of ordered statistics decoders for low-density parity-check codes in space telecommand links

The performance of short low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes that will be included in the standard for next-generation space telecommanding is analyzed. The paper is focused on the use of a famous ordered statistics decoder known as most reliable basis (MRB) algorithm. Despite its complexity may appear prohibitive in space applications, this algorithm is shown to actually represent a realistic option for short LDPC codes, enabling significant gains over more conventional iterative algorithms. This is possible by a hybrid approach which combines the MRB decoder with an iterative decoding procedure in a sequential manner. The effect of quantization is also addressed, by considering two different quantization laws and comparing their performance. Finally, the impact of limited memory availability onboard of spacecrafts is analyzed and some solutions are proposed for efficient processing, towards a practical onboard decoder implementation.