A Note on Low Density Parity Check Codes for Errors and Erasures <P>

We analyze low density parity check codes that correct both errors
and erasures using a simple decoding scheme.  Our framework unifies
previous analyses for low density parity check codes and erasure codes.
The result is a general class of codes that correct both errors and erasures,
with corresponding simple linear time encoding and decoding algorithms 
and proable performance guarantees.  We also describe how these codes
can be applied to yield a new fast algorithm for the setting of
Gaussian noise, and leave several open questions regarding the construction
of these codes and the associated decoding algorithms.
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Appears as Digital Systems Research Center Technical Note 1998-017. <P>