Multilevel Polar-Coded Modulation

TL;DR

This paper introduces a unified framework for optimizing polar coding combined with multilevel modulation schemes for digital communication, emphasizing channel polarization and labeling rules, with simulation validation.

Contribution

It presents a novel unified approach linking polar coding with multilevel coding, including new channel polarization insights and optimal labeling rules for $2^m$-ary PAM.

Findings

Simulation results demonstrate improved performance over traditional methods.

Optimal labeling rules enhance coding efficiency.

Framework provides a comprehensive tool for joint coding and modulation design.

Abstract

A framework is proposed that allows for a joint description and optimization of both binary polar coding and the multilevel coding (MLC) approach for $2^m$-ary digital pulse-amplitude modulation (PAM). The conceptual equivalence of polar coding and multilevel coding is pointed out in detail. Based on a novel characterization of the channel polarization phenomenon, rules for the optimal choice of the bit labeling in this coded modulation scheme employing polar codes are developed. Simulation results for the AWGN channel are included.