convolutional code

Convolutional encoding is a method used in communications to add redundancy to transmitted signals. This redundancy helps correct errors that may occur due to transmission noise. Unlike block codes, which process data in finite blocks, convolutional encoders produce an unending stream of bits. They incorporate memory, meaning the output depends not only on the current input bits but also on previous ones. This memory allows the encoder to shift through different "states," influencing the output sequence. The complexity of the encoder and the number of bits used for transmission affect its error-correcting performance and data rate.12