Iterative Coding and Decoding Algorithm of RS Digital Fountain Code

Combining forward error correcting and automatic repeat request is a commonly used method in digital communication system. But in broadcast communication system, this method will compromise the communication efficiency and cause longer transmission delay due to the need of retransmitting data. This problem, however, can be effectively solved by the use of digital fountain code. RS code has the potential to be used as a fountain code, but its complicated conventional decoding methods and great decoding delay have severely limited its application. This paper introduces a new iterative decoding algorithm, which helps overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings of RS code so as to enable it to be practically used as a fountain code. The corresponding coding algorithm of RS fountain code is also introduced here.