Minimum Distance Distribution of Irregular Generalized LDPC Code Ensembles

Abstract: In this paper, the minimum distance distribution of irregular generalized LDPC (GLDPC) code ensembles is investigated. Two classes of GLDPC code ensembles are analyzed; in one case, the Tanner graph is regular from the variable node perspective, and in the other case the Tanner graph is completely unstructured and irregular. In particular, for the former ensemble class we determine exactly which ensembles have minimum distance growing linearly with the block length with probability approaching unity with increasing block length. This work extends previous results concerning LDPC and regular GLDPC codes to the case where a hybrid mixture of check node types is used.