COMMUNICATION UNIT AND METHOD OF DECODING

摘要

A method (600, 800) for turbo decoding one or more data blocks. The method includes the steps of receiving (602, 802) one or more data blocks in a plurality of time slots at a communication unit. At least one Backward Processor computes (625) backward path metrics for a plurality of data slots and stores the backward path metrics in a storage element. A Forward Processor computes (645, 835) forward path metrics for the plurality of data slots. A data block determination function, calculates and outputs (648, 838) decoded data for the data blocks based on the forward path metrics and the stored backward path metrics. By storing backward path metrics in a turbo decoding operation, the data block determination function, for example an a-posteriori probabilities module, calculates and outputs decoded data using reduced storage space when compared to known techniques of storing forward path metrics. There is an advantage in delay over known "sliding window" decoding techniques.