Reduced complexity and improved performance decoding algorithm for nonbinary LDPC codes over GF(q)

Low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes over finite fields GF(q) have a better performance than those of the binary low-density parity-check codes, at short and medium block lengths, but the decoder of GF(q)-LDPC has more complexity. In this paper, we present a new reduced-complexity belief propagation (BP) decoding algorithm for GF(q)-LDPC codes by analyzing the reliability of code symbols. Instead of update all the variable nodes during iteration, we just update variable nodes which are mostly to be in an error. The algorithm also shows a property to reduce the effects of oscillating on decoding. The simulations prove that we could improve performance and reduce complexity at the same time for short and medium GF(q)-LDPC codes.