Patent ID: 8098773

Claim:
A method for communicating an n-bit codeword in a unit interval, where n=y+z and where n, y, and z are positive integers, said method comprising: transmitting a transmit phase point selected from a constellation of phase points; generating a receive phase point responsive to said transmit phase point and to noise; forming 2 z alternate hypotheses about potential combinations of said z bits of said n-bit codeword, wherein one of said 2 z hypotheses is correct and 2 z −1 of said 2 z hypotheses are incorrect; and applying a forward error correction (FEC) decoding process to said 2 z alternate hypotheses to accept and reject said hypotheses in addition to counteracting said noise; and wherein a first phase-space vector is selected from a set of 2 y different phase-space vectors by said v bits of said n-bit codeword; a second phase-space vector is selected from a set of 2 z different phase-space vectors by said z bits of said n-bit codeword; and said transmit phase point is responsive to a vector sum of said first and second phase-space vectors.