LDPC Decoding Algorithms for Implant to Implant Wireless Body Area Network

Abstract

Wireless body area network (WBAN) is a promising network aiming at enhancing the communication in medical applications. It is adopted by medical organizations due to its flexibility in remotely monitoring patient health status. WBANs suffer from many limitations due to excessive channel impairments. Low density parity check (LDPC) codes are proposed to mitigate WBAN's impairments concerning the bit error rate, complexity, and dissipated energy. In this paper, a comprehensive performance analysis of various LDPC decoding algorithms is used to improve communication and reduce complexity in implant to implant WBAN channel. Moreover, a novel low complex LDPC decoding algorithm, which has a performance close to soft decision and a decoding time close to hard decision algorithms is proposed to minimize the dissipated energy. The proposed algorithm can be classified as a hybrid decision algorithm. The results demonstrate extensive analysis and comparisons between hard, soft, and hybrid decision algorithms.