Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

IEEE International Symposium on Information Theory (ISIT)

Pseudo-codeword Landscape

Michael Chertkov, Mikhail Stepanov

Published Jun 1, 2007• 41 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We discuss the performance of low-density-parity-check (LDPC) codes decoded by means of linear programming (LP) at moderate and large signal-to-noise-ratios (SNR). Utilizing a combination of the previously introduced pseudo-codeword-search method and a new "dendro" trick, which allows us to reduce the complexity of the LP decoding, we analyze the dependence of the frame-error-rate (FER) on the SNR. Under maximum-a-posteriori (MAP) decoding the dendro-code, having only checks with connectivity degree three, performs identically to its original code with high-connectivity checks. For a number of popular LDPC codes performing over the additive-white-Gaussian-noise (AWGN) channel we found that either an error-floor sets at a relatively low SNR, or otherwise a transient asymptote, characterized by a faster decay of FER with the SNR increase, precedes the error-floor asymptote. We explain these regimes in terms of the pseudo-codeword spectra of the codes.

DOI
10.1109/isit.2007.4557442

Related papers

Pseudo-codeword Landscape

Michael Chertkov, Mikhail Stepanov

We discuss the performance of Low-Density-Parity-Check (LDPC) codes decoded by means of Linear Programming (LP) at moderate and large Signal-to-Noise-Ratios (SNR). Utilizing a combination of the previously introduced pseudo-codeword-search method and a new "dendro" trick, which allows us to reduce the complexity of the LP decoding, we analyze the dependence of the Frame-Error-Rate (FER) on the SNR. Under Maximum-A-Posteriori (MAP) decoding the dendro-code, having only checks with connectivity degree three, performs identically to its original code with high-connectivity checks. For a number of popular LDPC codes performing over the Additive-White-Gaussian-Noise (AWGN) channel we found that either an error-floor sets at a relatively low SNR, or otherwise a transient asymptote, characterized by a faster decay of FER with the SNR increase, precedes the error-floor asymptote. We explain these regimes in terms of the pseudo-codeword spectra of the codes.

arXiv:cs/0701084•Jan 12, 2007•5 citations

Searching for low weight pseudo-codewords

Michael Chertkov, М. Г. Степанов

Belief Propagation (BP) and Linear Programming (LP) decodings of Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes are discussed. We summarize results of instanton/pseudo-codeword approach developed for analysis of the error-floor domain of the codes. Instantons are special, code and decoding specific, configurations of the channel noise contributing most to the Frame-Error-Rate (FER). Instantons are decoded into pseudo-codewords. Instanton/pseudo-codeword with the lowest weight describes the largest Signal-to-Noise-Ratio (SNR) asymptotic of FER, while the whole spectra of the low weight instantons is descriptive of the FER vs SNR profile in the extended error-floor domain. First, we describe a general optimization method that allows to find the instantons for any coding/decoding. Second, we introduce LP-specific pseudo-codeword search algorithm that allows efficient calculations of the pseudo-codeword spectra. Finally, we discuss results of combined BP/LP error-floor exploration experiments for two model codes.

arXiv:cs/0702024•Feb 4, 2007•0 citations

Searching for low weight pseudo-codewords

Michael Chertkov, Mikhail Stepanov

Belief propagation (BP) and linear programming (LP) decodings of low density parity check (LDPC) codes are discussed. We summarize results of instanton/pseudo-codeword approach developed for analysis of the error-floor domain of the codes. Instantons are special, code and decoding specific, configurations of the channel noise contributing most to the Frame-Error-Rate (FER). Instantons are decoded into pseudo- codewords. Instanton/pseudo-codeword with the lowest weight describes the largest Signal-to-Noise-Ratio (SNR) asymptotic of FER, while the whole spectra of the low weight instantons is descriptive of the FER vs SNR profile in the extended error-floor domain. First, we describe a general optimization method that allows to find the instantons for any coding/decoding. Second, we introduce LP-specific pseudo-codeword search algorithm that allows efficient calculations of the pseudo-codeword spectra. Finally, we discuss results of combined BP/LP error-floor exploration experiments for two model codes.

Information Theory and Applications Workshop (ITA)•Jan 1, 2007•2 citations

Minimum Pseudo-Codewords of LDPC Codes

Shu‐Tao Xia, Fang‐Wei Fu

In this paper, we study the minimum pseudo-weight and minimum pseudo-codewords of low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes under linear programming (LP) decoding. First, we show that the lower bound of Kelly, Sridhara, Xu and Rosenthal on the pseudo-weight of a pseudo-codeword of an LDPC code with girth greater than 4 is tight if and only if this pseudo-codeword is a real multiple of a codeword. Then, we show that the lower bound of Kashyap and Vardy on the stopping distance of an LDPC code is also a lower bound on the pseudo-weight of a pseudo-codeword of this LDPC code with girth 4, and this lower bound is tight if and only if this pseudo-codeword is a real multiple of a codeword. Using these results we further show that for some LDPC codes, there are no other minimum pseudo-codewords except the real multiples of minimum codewords. This means that LP decoding for these LDPC codes is asymptotically optimal in the sense that the ratio of the probabilities of decoding errors of LP decoding and maximum-likelihood (ML) decoding approaches to 1 as the signal-to-noise ratio leads to infinity. Finally, some LDPC codes are listed to illustrate these results

IEEE Information Theory Workshop (ITW)•Oct 1, 2006•7 citations

Looping linear programming decoding of LDPC codes

Michael Chertkov, Mikhail Stepanov

Abstract — Considering the Linear Programming (LP) decoding of Low-Density-Parity-Check (LDPC) code [1], we describe an efficient algorithm for finding pseudo codewords with the smallest effective distance. The algorithm, coined LP-loop, starts from choosing randomly initial configuration of the noise. The configuration is modified through a discrete number of steps. Each step consists of two sub-steps. First, one applies LP decoder to the initial noise-configuration deriving a pseudo-codeword. Second, one finds configuration of the noise equidistant from the pseudo codeword and the all zeros codeword. The resulting noise configuration is used as an entry for the next step of the LP-loop algorithm. The iterations converge fast to a pseudo codeword neighboring the all zeros codeword — domain of the pseudo codeword attraction shares a common piece of error-surface with the all zeros codeword domain. Repeated many times the LP-loop procedure is characterized by the distribution function (frequency spectrum) of the pseudo codeword effective distance. Effective distance of the coding scheme is approximated by the shortest distance pseudo-codeword in the spectrum. Efficiency of the LP-loop algorithm is demonstrated on examples of the Tanner (155, 64, 20) code and Margulis p = 7 and p = 11 codes (672 and 2640 bits long respectively) performing over Additive-White-Gaussian-Noise (AWGN) channel.

•Jan 27, 2006•2 citations

Analysis of failures of decoders for LDPC codes

Shashi Kiran Chilappagari

Ever since the publication of Shannon's seminal work in 1948, the search for capacity achieving codes has led to many interesting discoveries in channel coding theory. Low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes originally proposed in 1963 were largely forgotten and rediscovered recently. The significance of LDPC codes lies in their capacity approaching performance even when decoded using low complexity sub-optimal decoding algorithms. Iterative decoders are one such class of decoders that work on a graphical representation of a code known as the Tanner graph. Their properties have been well understood in the asymptotic limit of the code length going to infinity. However, the behavior of various decoders for a given finite length code remains largely unknown.An understanding of the failures of the decoders is vital for the error floor analysis of a given code. Broadly speaking, error floor is the abrupt degradation in the frame error rate (FER) performance of a code in the high signal-to-noise ratio domain. Since the error floor phenomenon manifests in the regions not reachable by Monte-Carlo simulations, analytical methods are necessary for characterizing the decoding failures. In this work, we consider hard decision decoders for transmission over the binary symmetric channel (BSC).For column-weight-three codes, we provide tight upper and lower bounds on the guaranteed error correction capability of a code under the Gallager A algorithm by studying combinatorial objects known as trapping sets. For higher column weight codes, we establish bounds on the minimum number of variable nodes that achieve certain expansion as a function of the girth of the underlying Tanner graph, thereby obtaining lower bounds on the guaranteed error correction capability. We explore the relationship between a class of graphs known as cage graphs and trapping sets to establish upper bounds on the error correction capability.We also propose an algorithm to identify the most probable noise configurations, also known as instantons, that lead to error floor for linear programming (LP) decoding over the BSC. With the insight gained from the above analysis techniques, we propose novel code construction techniques that result in codes with superior error floor performance.

•Jan 1, 2008•0 citations
We discuss the performance of low-density-parity-check (LDPC) codes decoded by means of linear programming (LP) at moderate and large signal-to-noise-ratios (SNR). Utilizing a combination of the previously introduced pseudo-codeword-search method and a new "dendro" trick, which allows us to reduce the complexity of the LP decoding, we analyze the dependence of the frame-error-rate (FER) on the SNR. Under maximum-a-posteriori (MAP) decoding the dendro-code, having only checks with connectivity degree three, performs identically to its original code with high-connectivity checks. For a number of popular LDPC codes performing over the additive-white-Gaussian-noise (AWGN) channel we found that either an error-floor sets at a relatively low SNR, or otherwise a transient asymptote, characterized by a faster decay of FER with the SNR increase, precedes the error-floor asymptote. We explain these regimes in terms of the pseudo-codeword spectra of the codes.
We discuss the performance of Low-Density-Parity-Check (LDPC) codes decoded by means of Linear Programming (LP) at moderate and large Signal-to-Noise-Ratios (SNR). Utilizing a combination of the previously introduced pseudo-codeword-search method and a new "dendro" trick, which allows us to reduce the complexity of the LP decoding, we analyze the dependence of the Frame-Error-Rate (FER) on the SNR. Under Maximum-A-Posteriori (MAP) decoding the dendro-code, having only checks with connectivity degree three, performs identically to its original code with high-connectivity checks. For a number of popular LDPC codes performing over the Additive-White-Gaussian-Noise (AWGN) channel we found that either an error-floor sets at a relatively low SNR, or otherwise a transient asymptote, characterized by a faster decay of FER with the SNR increase, precedes the error-floor asymptote. We explain these regimes in terms of the pseudo-codeword spectra of the codes.
Belief Propagation (BP) and Linear Programming (LP) decodings of Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes are discussed. We summarize results of instanton/pseudo-codeword approach developed for analysis of the error-floor domain of the codes. Instantons are special, code and decoding specific, configurations of the channel noise contributing most to the Frame-Error-Rate (FER). Instantons are decoded into pseudo-codewords. Instanton/pseudo-codeword with the lowest weight describes the largest Signal-to-Noise-Ratio (SNR) asymptotic of FER, while the whole spectra of the low weight instantons is descriptive of the FER vs SNR profile in the extended error-floor domain. First, we describe a general optimization method that allows to find the instantons for any coding/decoding. Second, we introduce LP-specific pseudo-codeword search algorithm that allows efficient calculations of the pseudo-codeword spectra. Finally, we discuss results of combined BP/LP error-floor exploration experiments for two model codes.
Belief propagation (BP) and linear programming (LP) decodings of low density parity check (LDPC) codes are discussed. We summarize results of instanton/pseudo-codeword approach developed for analysis of the error-floor domain of the codes. Instantons are special, code and decoding specific, configurations of the channel noise contributing most to the Frame-Error-Rate (FER). Instantons are decoded into pseudo- codewords. Instanton/pseudo-codeword with the lowest weight describes the largest Signal-to-Noise-Ratio (SNR) asymptotic of FER, while the whole spectra of the low weight instantons is descriptive of the FER vs SNR profile in the extended error-floor domain. First, we describe a general optimization method that allows to find the instantons for any coding/decoding. Second, we introduce LP-specific pseudo-codeword search algorithm that allows efficient calculations of the pseudo-codeword spectra. Finally, we discuss results of combined BP/LP error-floor exploration experiments for two model codes.
In this paper, we study the minimum pseudo-weight and minimum pseudo-codewords of low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes under linear programming (LP) decoding. First, we show that the lower bound of Kelly, Sridhara, Xu and Rosenthal on the pseudo-weight of a pseudo-codeword of an LDPC code with girth greater than 4 is tight if and only if this pseudo-codeword is a real multiple of a codeword. Then, we show that the lower bound of Kashyap and Vardy on the stopping distance of an LDPC code is also a lower bound on the pseudo-weight of a pseudo-codeword of this LDPC code with girth 4, and this lower bound is tight if and only if this pseudo-codeword is a real multiple of a codeword. Using these results we further show that for some LDPC codes, there are no other minimum pseudo-codewords except the real multiples of minimum codewords. This means that LP decoding for these LDPC codes is asymptotically optimal in the sense that the ratio of the probabilities of decoding errors of LP decoding and maximum-likelihood (ML) decoding approaches to 1 as the signal-to-noise ratio leads to infinity. Finally, some LDPC codes are listed to illustrate these results
Abstract — Considering the Linear Programming (LP) decoding of Low-Density-Parity-Check (LDPC) code [1], we describe an efficient algorithm for finding pseudo codewords with the smallest effective distance. The algorithm, coined LP-loop, starts from choosing randomly initial configuration of the noise. The configuration is modified through a discrete number of steps. Each step consists of two sub-steps. First, one applies LP decoder to the initial noise-configuration deriving a pseudo-codeword. Second, one finds configuration of the noise equidistant from the pseudo codeword and the all zeros codeword. The resulting noise configuration is used as an entry for the next step of the LP-loop algorithm. The iterations converge fast to a pseudo codeword neighboring the all zeros codeword — domain of the pseudo codeword attraction shares a common piece of error-surface with the all zeros codeword domain. Repeated many times the LP-loop procedure is characterized by the distribution function (frequency spectrum) of the pseudo codeword effective distance. Effective distance of the coding scheme is approximated by the shortest distance pseudo-codeword in the spectrum. Efficiency of the LP-loop algorithm is demonstrated on examples of the Tanner (155, 64, 20) code and Margulis p = 7 and p = 11 codes (672 and 2640 bits long respectively) performing over Additive-White-Gaussian-Noise (AWGN) channel.
Ever since the publication of Shannon's seminal work in 1948, the search for capacity achieving codes has led to many interesting discoveries in channel coding theory. Low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes originally proposed in 1963 were largely forgotten and rediscovered recently. The significance of LDPC codes lies in their capacity approaching performance even when decoded using low complexity sub-optimal decoding algorithms. Iterative decoders are one such class of decoders that work on a graphical representation of a code known as the Tanner graph. Their properties have been well understood in the asymptotic limit of the code length going to infinity. However, the behavior of various decoders for a given finite length code remains largely unknown.An understanding of the failures of the decoders is vital for the error floor analysis of a given code. Broadly speaking, error floor is the abrupt degradation in the frame error rate (FER) performance of a code in the high signal-to-noise ratio domain. Since the error floor phenomenon manifests in the regions not reachable by Monte-Carlo simulations, analytical methods are necessary for characterizing the decoding failures. In this work, we consider hard decision decoders for transmission over the binary symmetric channel (BSC).For column-weight-three codes, we provide tight upper and lower bounds on the guaranteed error correction capability of a code under the Gallager A algorithm by studying combinatorial objects known as trapping sets. For higher column weight codes, we establish bounds on the minimum number of variable nodes that achieve certain expansion as a function of the girth of the underlying Tanner graph, thereby obtaining lower bounds on the guaranteed error correction capability. We explore the relationship between a class of graphs known as cage graphs and trapping sets to establish upper bounds on the error correction capability.We also propose an algorithm to identify the most probable noise configurations, also known as instantons, that lead to error floor for linear programming (LP) decoding over the BSC. With the insight gained from the above analysis techniques, we propose novel code construction techniques that result in codes with superior error floor performance.