Question

In maximum likelihood decoding technique, the likelihood function compares the

(a) Joint probabilities

(b) Individual probabilities

(c) Conditional probabilities

(d) None of the mentioned

This question was posed to me in an online interview.

This intriguing question comes from Convolution Encoding and Decoding in division Channel Coding of Digital Communications

Answer 1

The correct option is (c) Conditional probabilities

Best explanation: If all input messages are equally likely a decoder that achieves the minimum probability of error is that which compares the conditional probabilities also called the likelihood function.