More On The Decoder-Error Probability Of Reed-Solomon Codes

Paper extends theory of decoder-error probability for linear maximum-distance separable (MDS) codes. General class of error-correcting codes includes Reed-Solomon codes, important in communications with distant spacecraft, military communications, and compact-disk recording industry. Advancing beyond previous theoretical developments that placed upper bounds on decoder-error probabilities, author derives an exact formula for probability PE(u) that decoder will make error when u code symbols in error.