Multi-channel trellis encoder/decoder

Apparatus for encoding data for delivery over a multi-channel data delivery system and for decoding the received encoded data after delivery comprising:

• means for receiving the unencoded data to be encoded onto each of the channels of the multi-channel data delivery system;
• means connected to the receiving means for trellis encoding portions of the received unencoded data sequentially from channel to channel of the multi-channel data delivery system;
• means responsive to the encoding means for simultaneously applying the trellis encoded data to each of the channels of the multi-channel data delivery system;
• means coupled to the multi-channel data delivery system for receiving the trellis encoded data from each channel of the multi-channel data delivery system;
• means for sequentially decoding delivered data from the channels of the multi-channel data delivery system;
• and
• means responsive to the decoding means for delivering the decoded data to an external device.

In a modem for transmitting data over a multi-channel data transmission path, a method for encoding received unencoded data and for decoding received encoded data comprises the steps of:

• a. receiving unencoded data bits to be encoded onto each of the channels of the multi-channel data delivery system from an external source;
• b. trellis encoding portions of the data of step a. sequentially from channel to channel of the multi-channel data delivery system;
• c. simultaneously applying the trellis encoded portions of the data of step b. to a corresponding one of the channels of the multi-channel data delivery system;
• d. receiving encoded data signals from each of the channels of the data transmission system;
• e. sequentially decoding the encoded data of step d.;
• f. presenting the decoded data for delivery to an external device.

A modem for transmitting data over a multi-channel data transmission path wherein the received data from an external source is encoded for transmission and received transmitted encoded data is decoded comprises:

• means for receiving unencoded data bits to be encoded onto each of the channels of the multi-channel data delivery system from an external source;
• means for receiving encoded data signals from each of the channels of the data transmission system;
• means for trellis encoding portions of the data received from an external source sequentially from channel to channel of the multi-channel data delivery system, and for seuqentially decoding the encoded data received from the transmission system;
• means for simultaneously applying the trellis encoded portions of the data received from the external source to a corresponding one of the channels of the multi-channel data delivery system;
• and
• means for presenting the decoded data for delivery to an external device.

A method of trellis encoding each of N carriers of a multi-carrier channel where N is an integer having a value of at least 2, said method comprising the steps of:

• a. receiving a set of data bits to be encoded onto said N carriers;
• b. dividing said set of data bits of step a. into N packets of M.sub.n bits each where M.sub.n is an integer number of bits to be encoded onto carrier n of said N carriers to be transmitted in a selected period of time, T.sub.sym ;
• c. convolutionally encoding, sequentially, each packet of M.sub.n bits of step b. into M.sub.n +R bits, where R is a positive integer, using K of the least significant bits of the M.sub.n bits within packet n, where K is an integer having a value of at least 2, in (1/N) the time period T.sub.sym ;
• d. mapping each set of M.sub.n +R bits of step c. into a trellis encoder constellation for M.sub.n bits encoded into M.sub.n +R bits each within (1/N) of the time period T.sub.sym ;
• e. determining the X.sub.n and Y.sub.n coordinates of each of the mapped sets of bits from step d. each within (1/N) of the time period T.sub.sym ;
• and
• f. modulating the cosine and sine components of the carrier frequency of each of the N carriers using the X.sub.n and Y.sub.n coordinates from step e. for the appropriate carrier to form a multi-carrier signal of T.sub.sym duration on a single channel.