Patent Number: 
Section: abstract

In a decoding method of maximum a posteriori probability, (1) backward probabilities are calculated in a reverse direction from an Nth backward probability to a first backward probability, an math backward probability, m(sxe2x88x921)th backward probability, . . . , m2th backward probability are saved discretely, an m1th backward probability to the first backward probability are saved continuously, first forward probability is calculated, a first decoded result is obtained using the first forward probability and the saved first backward probability, and second to m1th decoded results are obtained in similar fashion. (2) Thereafter, backward probabilities up to an (m1+1)th backward probability are calculated and saved starting from the saved m2th backward probability, (m1+1)th forward probability is calculated, an (m1+1)th decoded result is obtained using the (m1+1)th forward probability and the saved (m1+1)th backward probability, (m1+2)th to m2th decoded results are obtained in similar fashion and (3) (m2+1)th to Nth decoded results are subsequently obtained in similar fashion.