Reduced-state sequence estimation with set partitioning and decision feedback

A reduced-state sequence estimator for linear intersymbol interference channels is described. The estimator uses a conventional Viterbi algorithm with decision feedback to search a reduced-state subset trellis that is constructed using set-partitioning principles. The complexity of maximum-likelihood sequence estimation (MLSE) due to the length of the channel memory and the size of the signal set is systematically reduced. An error probability analysis shows that a good performance/complexity tradeoff can be obtained. In particular, the results indicate that the required complexity to achieve the performance of MLSE is independent of the size of the signal set for large enough signal sets. Simulation results are provided for two partial-response systems. A simple technique for quadrature partial-response signaling (QPRS) is described that eliminates the quasicatastrophic nature of the ML trellis.>