Decoding Algorithms for MDS Array Codes

Abstract

We study decoding procedures for a family of MDS array codes previously constructed from the Kronecker product of a superregular matrix and a non-singular matrix over a finite field. By exploiting the particular structure of their parity-check matrices, we develop decoding algorithms for different channel models. For the erasure channel, we provide an algorithm capable of recovering any pattern of up to $n-k$ symbol erasures. For the $q$-ary symmetric channel, we investigate the decoding of one and two symbol errors and give explicit procedures for determining their locations and values. We also consider the particular case in which the superregular matrix is a Vandermonde matrix, showing how its additional algebraic structure can be exploited in the decoding process. Explicit examples over different finite fields are provided to illustrate the proposed procedures.