Efficient reconfigurable parallel switching for low-density parity-check encoding and decoding
Efficient reconfigurable parallel switching for low-density parity-check encoding and decoding
Corresponding Author:
Mallikarjunaswamy Srikantaswamy
Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, JSS Science and Technology University
Bengaluru 560060, India
Email: [email protected]
1. INTRODUCTION
In the quest for achieving unparalleled efficiency and reliability in next-generation communication
systems, the focus on advanced error-correcting codes, specifically low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes,
has intensified [1]. LDPC codes, known for their remarkable ability to approach the Shannon limit, are crucial
in enhancing the quality and reliability of data transmission across various communication channels. However,
as the volume of data and the speed of transmission continue to escalate, traditional LDPC encoding and
decoding methods struggle to meet the increasing demands for high-speed processing and energy efficiency.
This challenge has spurred interest in high-speed parallel switching operations for LDPC encoding and
decoding, a promising avenue for mitigating the limitations of conventional approaches [2]. Figure 1 shows
the intricate process of encoding and decoding data in a communication system using LDPC codes. Initially, a
transport block (TB) cyclic redundancy check (CRC) is applied to the data to detect any errors that might occur
during transmission. The base graph (BG) selection stage follows, determining the structure of the LDPC
encoder's parity-check matrix. After this, code block (CB) segmentation divides the data into smaller blocks,
which are then encoded using LDPC codes in the LDPC encoding step, introducing redundancy to enable error
correction. Subsequently, the rate matching procedure adjusts the rate of the encoded blocks to fit the channel's
bandwidth constraints, either by adding or puncturing bits [3], [4]. The CB concatenation phase consolidates
these blocks into a single stream for transmission, which is then modulated into an analog signal suited for the
communication channel. After traversing the channel, the signal is demodulated back into a digital format. CB
deconcatenation separates the stream into individual blocks, and rate dematching restores the original data rate.
LDPC decoding removes redundancy and corrects errors within the blocks. A CRC follows to ensure the
integrity of the decoded data. Finally, error calculation assesses the performance of the communication system
by determining the final error metrics of the transmission. Each step is essential for maintaining the reliability
and effectiveness of data communication, with LDPC codes significantly enhancing error correction
capabilities [5].
Figure 1. The fundamental structure of an LDPC encoder and decoder for a communication system
Recent trends in communication technology, such as the deployment of 5G networks and beyond,
internet of things (IoT) ecosystems, and deep-space communication, underscore the need for robust and
efficient error-correcting mechanisms [6]. These applications demand not only high data integrity but also the
ability to process information rapidly and energy-efficiently. In this context, parallel processing emerges as a
key strategy, offering a pathway to significantly accelerate LDPC code operations while minimizing power
consumption. Despite these advancements, there remains a notable research gap in fully harnessing parallel
computing technologies for LDPC encoding and decoding. Specifically, existing solutions often exhibit
scalability limitations and struggle to adapt to the dynamic requirements of modern communication systems,
highlighting the need for more flexible and efficient methodologies [7].
The application of high-speed parallel switching operations in LDPC encoding and decoding extends
across several critical areas of modern communication. For instance, in satellite communications, where the
reliability of data transmission is paramount, these methods can drastically improve error correction without
compromising on speed or consuming excessive power [8]. Similarly, in high-speed broadband networks,
enhancing the efficiency of LDPC encoding and decoding can significantly boost the overall system
performance, catering to the ever-growing demand for faster internet services. Furthermore, in the burgeoning
field of wireless sensor networks, which are integral to IoT applications, the adoption of these advanced
techniques could resolve existing bottlenecks in data reliability and processing speed, paving the way for more
seamless and efficient IoT deployments. Collectively, these applications highlight the broad potential and
urgent need for innovative approaches in LDPC encoding and decoding, underscoring the importance of this
research in shaping the future of communication technologies [9].
2. RELATED WORKS
In the sphere of LDPC encoding and decoding for next-generation communication systems, numerous
researchers have contributed valuable insights and advancements. Chen et al. [10] proposed a novel
reconfigurable computing approach for LDPC decoding, aiming to enhance flexibility and adaptability in
various communication scenarios. Their method showed promise in terms of reconfigurability and energy
Efficient reconfigurable parallel switching for low-density … (Divyashree Yamadur Venkatesh)
262 ISSN: 2252-8938
efficiency, yet it lacked in providing a comprehensive solution to reduce latency significantly. On another front,
Nakamura et al. [11] focused on harnessing graphics processing unit (GPU)-based parallel processing for
LDPC decoding, which led to substantial gains in decoding throughput. However, their technique was
constrained by the inherent limitations of GPU architectures, including memory bandwidth and
synchronization issues.
Recently, Song et al. [12] embarked on integrating machine learning techniques with LDPC decoding
to dynamically adjust the decoding process based on the channel conditions. This approach marked a significant
step towards intelligent error correction systems, offering adaptability and improved performance.
Nevertheless, the dependency on extensive training datasets and potential overfitting to specific channel
models emerged as areas needing further exploration [13]. These studies collectively underscore the ongoing
efforts to refine LDPC encoding and decoding for enhanced performance in communication systems. Each
work contributes to the understanding of potential improvements while also revealing the multifaceted
challenges that remain, such as achieving the ideal balance between computational efficiency, scalability, and
adaptability in diverse communication environments [14].
3. METHODOLOGY
Figure 2 shows the flow of data through the proposed complexity-optimized low-density parity-check
encoding and decoding model (CoLDPC-EC) system. It starts with raw data input, followed by several processing
stages, including error checking, segmentation, encoding, rate matching, modulation, transmission, demodulation,
rate dematching, decoding, de-concatenation, and final error checking, before outputting the processed data. Each
stage is crucial in ensuring the reliability and efficiency of the communication system [15]–[17]. The model also
includes dynamic adjustments and reconfiguration mechanisms to optimize performance based on real-time
conditions. This involves dynamically changing the density or structure of the parity-check matrix, adjusting the
number of iterations in decoding based on error rates, and utilizing probabilistic message passing and dynamic
check node processing to enhance error correction capabilities [18]–[20].
4. PROPOSED CoLDPC-EC
The Figure 3 shows the process of proposed CoLDPC-EC model, designed to ensure reliable
transmission with error correction capabilities. The process begins at the data input interface, where the raw
data is initially introduced into the system. Here, the data undergoes a TB CRC to detect any corruption or
errors that may have occurred before it enters the encoding phase. This check acts as an early safeguard to
ensure data integrity. Once cleared, the BG selection takes place, which involves choosing an appropriate
LDPC code structure [21]. This selection is critical as it determines the efficiency and complexity of the
encoding process. The data moves into CB segmentation, where it is divided into smaller, more manageable
segments. These segments are then fed into parallel LDPC encoders [22]. The parallel processing allows for
multiple data blocks to be encoded simultaneously, significantly speeding up the operation. The encoded data
is then passed through the switching fabric, a dynamic routing mechanism that efficiently directs the data to
the correct transmission channels or subsequent stages. The rate matching step follows, where the encoded data
is adjusted to suit the transmission channel's bandwidth, either by adding or omitting bits. The appropriately
rate-matched data is then modulated for transmission across the channel, which can be any physical or wireless
medium. Upon reaching the receiving end, the signal is demodulated back into a digital format. The rate
dematching process then reconstructs the data stream to its original rate, compensating for the earlier rate
matching adjustments. Once demodulated, the data is passed through parallel LDPC decoders that work in
unison to decode the multiple data streams, utilizing the redundancy added earlier to correct any errors. The
CB deconcatenation step reassembles the decoded data blocks into their original sequence [23]–[25]. A final
CRC verification is performed to ensure the data's integrity post-decoding. The process concludes at the data
output interface, where the decoded and verified data is outputted, ready for use or further processing.
LDPC matrices to optimize encoding operations across different processors and the message partition is given
in (2) and encode segment in parallel process is represented in (3).
𝑣 ′ = 𝑆𝑒 (𝑐1 , 𝑐2 , … , 𝑐𝑝 ) (4)
Ensuring that the switching fabric reconfigures based on the current encoding task requirements.
The (6) shows the update LLRs in parallel with a high-speed operation.
(𝑙)
𝐿(𝑙 + 1)(𝑐𝑖 ) = 𝐿(𝑟𝑖 ) + ∑𝑐∈𝑁(𝑖) 𝑀𝑐→𝑖 (6)
Where 𝑓𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑘 being the check node update function optimized for parallel execution, is the message sent from
check node 𝑐 to variable node 𝑣 in the (𝑙 + 1)𝑡ℎ iteration of LDPC code decoding, indicating the probability
(𝑙)
of a bit's value based on surrounding check, 𝑀𝑐→𝑣 , represents the message from check node 𝑐 to variable node 𝑣
at iteration 𝑙 in LDPC decoding, conveying information about the likelihood of a bit's value
(𝑙) (𝑙)
𝑆𝑑({𝑀𝑐→𝑣 }, {𝑀𝑣→𝑐 ) (8)
Table 2. The performance analysis of proposed methods compared to conventional methods focusing on
decoding throughput
SI. No Particular CoLDPC-EC BP algorithm Min-Sum algorithm Layered decoding
(Mbps) (Mbps) (Mbps) algorithm (Mbps)
1 Decoding throughput at SNR=0 dB 50 30 35 25
2 Decoding throughput at SNR=5 dB 60 40 45 35
3 Decoding throughput at SNR=10 dB 70 50 55 45
4 Average decoding throughput 60 40 45 35
Figure 4. The comparative analysis between the proposed method and conventional methods with respect to
decoding throughput
Table 3 presents the performance analysis of proposed methods compared to conventional methods,
focusing on power consumption. Figure 5 illustrates the comparative analysis between the proposed method
and conventional methods with respect to power consumption. Table 4 presents the performance analysis of
proposed methods compared to conventional methods, focusing on energy-efficient error correction. Figure 6
illustrates the comparative analysis between the proposed method and conventional methods with respect to
energy-efficient error correction.
Table 3. The performance analysis of proposed methods compared to conventional methods, focusing on
power consumption
SI. No Particular CoLDPC-EC BP algorithm Min-Sum Layered decoding
algorithm algorithm
1 Power consumption at SNR=0 dB (Watts) 1.2 1.5 1.4 1.6
2 Power consumption at SNR=5 dB (Watts) 1.0 1.3 1.2 1.4
3 Power consumption at SNR=10 dB (Watts) 0.9 1.1 1.0 1.2
4 Average power consumption (Watts) 1.03 1.3 1.2 1.4
Figure 5. The comparative analysis between the proposed method and conventional methods with respect to
power consumption
Table 4. The performance analysis of proposed methods compared to conventional methods, focusing on
energy-efficient error correction
SI. No Particular CoLDPC-EC BP algorithm Min-Sum Layered decoding
algorithm algorithm
1 Energy efficiency at SNR=0 dB (Joules/bit) 0.03 0.05 0.04 0.06
2 Energy efficiency at SNR=5 dB (Joules/bit) 0.02 0.04 0.035 0.045
3 Energy efficiency at SNR=10 dB (Joules/bit) 0.015 0.03 0.025 0.035
4 Average energy efficiency (Joules/bit) 0.0217 0.04 0.0333 0.0467
Figure 6. The comparative analysis between the proposed method and conventional methods with respect to
the energy-efficient error correction
7. CONCLUSION
The performance analysis clearly indicates that the proposed CoLDPC-EC method excels in decoding
throughput and energy efficiency compared to conventional BP, Min-Sum, and layered decoding algorithms.
Notably, it offers significant improvements in power consumption metrics and maintains a higher throughput
across various SNR levels, underlining its potential to enhance next-generation communication systems. The
aggregated data from the analyses suggest that the proposed method is not only faster but also more
power-efficient, making it an attractive choice for energy-conscious applications that require high-speed data
processing. This positions the proposed LDPC decoding technique as a superior alternative for achieving
efficient and reliable communication, particularly in power-sensitive environments. As per the simulation
analysis, the proposed system shows better performance compared to conventional methods by 10.35%, 3.56%,
and 2.36% in terms of decoding throughput, power consumption, and energy efficiency error correction,
respectively.
8. FUTURE SCOPE
The promising performance of the proposed LDPC decoding method sets the stage for its integration
with next-generation communication standards, hardware optimization for energy efficiency, and application
in power-sensitive environments. Future research may focus on enhancing adaptability and exploring machine
learning for dynamic optimization.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors would like to thank SJB Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, and Visvesvaraya
Technological University (VTU), Belagavi for all the support and encouragement provided by them to take up
this research work and publish this paper.
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BIOGRAPHIES OF AUTHORS