Patent ID: 8295410

Claim:
A method of decoding a convolutionally encoded data blocks, the method comprising: informing a decoder that encoded data blocks comprise encoded data blocks of original data mapped from one transmission format to another in accordance with a specific protocol by prepending or appending a predetermined number of padding bits having predetermined known values to the data bits of an original data block, the predetermined number of padding bits being greater than or equal to k, where k is an integer greater than or equal to 2, the constraint length of the convolutional code used to encode the data blocks; and for each encoded data block: constraining a Viterbi decoder to a state corresponding to k−1 of the known padding bits of the identified protocol immediately adjacent data bits of the data block, the Viterbi decoder comprising a shift register of length k−1 bits; controlling the Viterbi decoder to decode symbols of the encoded data block corresponding to at least the data bits; and discarding symbols of the encoded data block corresponding to those of the known padding bits of the identified protocol other than the k−1 known padding bits immediately adjacent data bits of the data block.