The relation between parity-check matrices of quasi-cyclic (QC) low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes and biadjacency matrices of bipartite graphs supports searching for powerful LDPC block codes. Using the principle of tailbiting, compact representations of bipartite graphs based on convolutional codes can be found. Bounds on the girth and the minimum distance of LDPC block codes constructed in such a way are discussed. Algorithms for searching iteratively for LDPC block codes with large girth and for determining their minimum distance are presented. Constructions based on all-one matrices, Steiner Triple Systems, and QC block codes are introduced. Finally, new QC regular LDPC block codes with girth up to 24 are given.

The relation between the parity-check matrices of quasi-cyclic (QC) low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes and the biadjacency matrices of bipartite graphs supports searching for powerful LDPC block codes. Algorithms for searching iteratively for LDPC block codes with large girth are presented and constructions based on Steiner Triple Systems and short QC block codes are introduced, leading to new QC regular LDPC block codes with girth up to 24.

The relation between low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes and hypergraphs supports searching for powerful LDPC codes based on hypergraphs. On the other hand, coding theory methods can be used in searching for hypergraphs with large girth. Moreover, compact representations of hypergraphs based on convolutional codes can be found. Algorithms for iteratively constructing LDPC codes with large girth and for determining their minimum distance are introduced. New quasi-cyclic (QC) LDPC codes are presented, some having both optimal girth and optimal minimum distance.

We search for good regular quasi-cyclic (QC) LDPC codes with J = 2 ones in each column. In order to simplify the search, QC LDPC codes are represented in the form of tail-biting (TB) convolutional codes. A modified BEAST algorithm is used for finding the free distance (minimum distance) and the girth of both parent convolutional and block LDPC codes. Representations of known bipartite graphs and LDPC based on finite geometries in the form of TB convolutional codes are found. This approach is further generalized for J = 3 QC LDPC codes. Examples of good short LDPC codes with large girth and minimum distance are given. For example, we present a rate 2=5 J = 3 QC LDPC (225, 92)- code with girth 8 and minimum distance 24.