Method for controlling decoding process based on path metric value and computing apparatus and mobile device for controlling the same

A method of controlling a decoding process of a tail biting convolutional code (TBCC)-encoded data in a decoder, the decoder configured to decode the TBCC-encoded data, the method comprising:

• receiving, at a convolutional decoder, data encoded by TBCC;
• selecting, a candidate to initiate a training section;
• determining final path metric (PM) values of possible states at a last step of the training section;
• determining a PM-related value based on the final PM values of the possible states;
• and
• determining an early termination of a decoding for the candidate based on the PM-related value.

A decoder to decode a tail biting convolutional code (TBCC)-encoded data, the decoder comprising:

• a receiver to receive data encoded by TBCC;
• a branch metric processor to determine branch metrics;
• a path metric processor to determine final path metric (PM) values of possible states at a last step of a training section;
• and
• a path metric analyzer to:
• determine a PM-related value based on the final PM values of the possible states;
• and
• determine an early termination of a decoding for a candidate based on the PM-related value and a PM-related threshold.

A mobile device comprising:

• a display;
• a mobile-communication modem comprising a Viterbi decoder (VD) configured to decode a tail biting convolutional code (TBCC)-encoded data;
• a memory coupled to the mobile-communication modem;
• and
• a wireless antenna coupled to the mobile-communication modem, the wireless antenna being configured to receive a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH),
• wherein the VD is configured to:
• receive data encoded by TBCC;
• select a candidate to initiate a training section;
• determine final path metric (PM) values of possible states at a last step of the training section;
• determine a PM-related value based on the final PM values of the possible states;
• and
• determine an early termination of a decoding for the candidate based on the PM-related value.