This paper presents two iterative decoding algorithms for a class of non-binary two-step majority-logic (NB-TS-MLG) decodable cyclic codes. A partial parallel decoding scheme is also introduced to provide a balanced trade-off between decoding speed and storage requirements. Unlike non-binary one-step MLG decodable cyclic codes, the Tanner graphs of which are 4-cycle-free, NB-TS-MLG decodable cyclic codes contain a large number of short cycles of length 4, which tend to degrade decoding performance. The proposed algorithms utilize the orthogonal structure of the parity-check matrices of the codes to resolve the degrading effects of the short cycles of length 4. Simulation results demonstrate that the NB-TS-MLG decodable cyclic codes decoded with the proposed algorithms offer coding gains as much as 2.5 dB over Reed-Solomon codes of the same lengths and rates decoded with either hard-decision or algebraic soft decision decoding.

A technique to prune the paths for K-best sphere decoding algorithm (SDA) based on radius constraint is presented. The proposed scheme preserves breadth-first searching nature, and the distinct radii for each decoding layer are theoretically derived from the system model with the noise statistics. In addition, based on the data range provided by the radius, a low complexity sorting strategy is proposed. The proposed method can apply to SDA with various path cost functions. Euclidean norm and sum of absolute difference are demonstrated in this paper. With SNR degradation less than 0.2 dB, more than 47% and 90% computation complexity can be reduced in 16-QAM and 64-QAM 4times4 MIMO detection, respectively.