Multiple size and rate forward error correction (fec) code combination with minimum shortening and maximum combined code rate

A communication device comprising:

• a communication interface;
• and
• a processor configured to:
• encode first information using a first code having a first code rate to generate first codewords having a first size;
• encode second information using a second code having a second code rate to generate second codewords having a second size that is less than the first size;
• encode third information using a third code having a third code rate to generate third codewords having a third size that is less than the second size;
• generate an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) frame that includes a combined codeword having a predetermined size;
• generate the combined codeword using a first subset of the first codewords when the predetermined size is a positive integer multiple of the first size;
• generate, when the predetermined size is not the positive integer multiple of the first size, the combined codeword using a second subset of the first codewords that fill the predetermined size as completely as possible within the predetermined size that leaves one or more remaining message bits within the predetermined size and fill at least one of the second codewords, or the third codewords within the one or more remaining message bits;
• and
• transmit, via the communication interface, the OFDMA frame to another communication device.

A method for execution by a communication device, the method comprising:

• encoding first information using a first code having a first code rate to generate first codewords having a first size;
• encoding second information using a second code having a second code rate to generate second codewords having a second size that is less than the first size;
• encoding third information using a third code having a third code rate to generate third codewords having a third size that is less than the second size;
• encoding an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) frame that includes a combined codeword having a predetermined size;
• generating the combined codeword using a first subset of the first codewords when the predetermined size is a positive integer multiple of the first size;
• and
• generating, when the predetermined size is not the positive integer multiple of the first size, the combined codeword using a second subset of the first codewords that fill the predetermined size as completely as possible within the predetermined size that leaves one or more remaining message bits within the predetermined size and fill at least one of the second codewords, or the third codewords within the one or more remaining message bits;
• and
• transmitting, via a communication interface of the communication device, the OFDMA frame to another communication device.