Xilinx, Inc.
System and method for successive cancellation list decoding of polar codes

Abstract:

A decoder circuit includes an input configured to receive an encoded message, and a decoding loop circuit including first and second memories, an update circuit, and a sort circuit. The decoding loop circuit is configured to perform list decoding to the encoded message by successively decoding a plurality of bits of a first codeword of the encoded message in a plurality of decoding loops respectively; and provide, to an output, a decoded message. In each decoding loop, the update circuit is configured to receive, from the first memory, parent path values, and provide, to a second memory, child path values based on the parent path values. The sort circuit is configured to receive, from the second memory, the child path values; and provide, to the first memory, surviving child path values based on the child path values.