Sets of rate-compatible universal turbo codes nearly optimized over various rates and interleaver sizes

A method and apparatus for Turbo encoding uses a set of rate-compatible Turbo Codes optimized at high code rates and derived from a universal constituent code. The Turbo Codes have rate-compatible puncturing patterns. The method comprises: encoding a signal at a first and second encoder using a best rate constituent code universal with higher code rates, the first encoder and the second encoder each producing a respective plurality of parity bits for each information bit; puncturing the respective plurality of parity bits at each encoder with a higher rate best puncturing patterns; and puncturing the respective plurality of parity bits at each encoder with a lower rate best puncturing pattern. In a variation, the best rate constituent code represents a concatenation of polynomials 1+D²+D³ (octal 13) and 1+D+D³ (octal 15), D a data bit. A Turbo Encoder is provided which has hardware to implement the method.