List decoding of polarization-adjusted convolutional codes

An apparatus for improving error correction, comprising:

• a first processor, implemented in an encoder, configured to:
• receive a plurality of information symbols,
• generate a plurality of precoded symbols by performing a precoding operation on the plurality of information symbols, wherein the plurality of precoded symbols comprises one or more dynamically frozen symbols,
• generate a codeword comprising a plurality of polar encoded symbols by performing a polar encoding operation on the plurality of precoded symbols, and
• provide the codeword for transmission or storage;
• and
• a second processor, implemented in a decoder, configured to:
• receive a noisy codeword, the noisy codeword having been generated by providing the codeword to a communication channel prior to reception by the decoder, and
• perform list decoding on the noisy codeword,
• wherein the list decoding comprises extending, based on the one or more dynamically frozen symbols, at least two paths of a plurality of paths in the list decoding differently and independently.