Self-interference, natural codes and decoding algorithms

The application of probabilistic decoding algorithms to the problem of intersymbol interference is presented. The channel or equipment generated intersymbol interference is modeled by a natural tree code of constraint length equivalent to the time dispersion in baud intervals. The Viterbi algorithm can then be used as a Maximum Likelihood decision processor. Emphasis is also given to ancillary modem functions which must perform in a severe self-interfering environment, for instance, modulation, channel adaption, synchronization, diversity, etc. We verify that this approach can safeguard the performance available if no intersymbol interference was generated.