Combined quantizer and linear error control code design for noisy channels

Abstract

Most optimal quantizer design algorithms do not take into account the changes of the channel characteristics due to the inserted channel coder. The overall channel characteristics including the channel coder is examined and an approximation model is proposed. Based on this model, a method for designing a quantizer (source coder) and the error control code together to achieve the best overall performance is proposed. Preliminary, simulation results reinforce the speculation that the error control codes would be useful only when the raw error rate is below a certain value.