This introductory book on error control coding focuses on key implementation issues and performance analysis with applications valuable to both mathematicians and engineers.FEATURES: * features a complete discussion of punctured convolutional codes. * includes full-chapter coverage of performance analysis of block codes, including code performance over the fading channel (i.e., cellular mobile phone systems). * examines system implementation issues for the Viterbi Decoder and the various decoders for Reed-Solomon and BCH codes. * devotes two full chapters to the theory of finite fields. * features the most current research results on error control for channels with feedback. * includes an entire chapter on trellis coded modulation. * includes historical background and emphasizes practical, up-to-date applications (i.e., the space program) for all key areas in the book.