Turbo Codes
Turbo codes are a class of high-performance forward error correction (FEC) codes that approach the Shannon limit for channel capacity, enabling reliable data transmission over noisy communication channels. They use parallel concatenated convolutional codes with an interleaver and iterative decoding (turbo decoding) to achieve near-optimal error correction performance. Introduced in 1993, they revolutionized digital communications by providing significant coding gains with manageable complexity.
Developers should learn turbo codes when working on wireless communication systems (e.g., 3G/4G/5G cellular networks, satellite communications, deep-space links) or any application requiring robust error correction in low signal-to-noise ratio environments. They are essential for implementing efficient data transmission protocols where bandwidth is limited and reliability is critical, such as in modern telecommunications standards and storage systems.