Understanding RS Encoder: Implementation and Applications

In this article, we will understand RS encoder implementation with an example. It is also called a Reed-Solomon Encoder. It is one of the forward error correction techniques used in wireless communication systems.

RS codes are systematic linear block codes. Let us understand RS Encoder with (N=255, K=239, T=8) specifications:

• Symbol length: m bits per symbol (8 bits)
• Block length: N=2^m - 1 symbols (255 bytes)
• Data length: K symbols (239 bytes)
• Size of check code: N-K = 2*t symbols (16 symbols)
• Minimum distance: 2*t + 1 symbols

As shown in the figure, the RS encoder expands a block of K symbols to N symbols by adding N-K redundant symbols.

Usually, m is a power of 2 and a popular value for m is 8. RS Encoders are suited for burst error correction and are widely used in next-generation wireless communication systems such as WiMAX.