Sliding window-aided ordered statistics decoding for short LDPC codes

This paper introduces an innovative approach to the design of efficient decoders that meet the rigorous requirements of modern communication systems, particularly in terms of ultra-reliability and low latency. We enhance an established hybrid decoding framework by proposing an ordered statistical decoding scheme augmented with a sliding window technique. This novel component replaces a key element of the current architecture, significantly reducing average complexity. A critical aspect of our scheme is the integration of a pre-trained neural network model that dynamically determines the progression or halt of the sliding window process. Furthermore, we present a user-defined soft margin mechanism that adeptly balances the trade-off between decoding accuracy and complexity. Empirical results, supported by a thorough complexity analysis, demonstrate that the proposed scheme holds a competitive advantage over existing state-of-the-art decoders, notably in addressing the decoding failures prevalent in neural min-sum decoders. Additionally, our research uncovers that short LDPC codes can deliver performance comparable to that of short classical linear codes within the critical waterfall region of the SNR, highlighting their potential for practical applications.