Fountain　codes　are　a　new　class　of　ratelss　codes　with　low　encoding　and　decoding　complexity　and　have　broad　prospects　in　engineering　applications.　On　the　basis　of　the　introduction　and　analysis　of　two　typical　fountain　codes,　this　paper　puts　forward　the　proposal　that　fountain　codes　can　be　used　in　the　short-wave　communication　and　also　designs　the　short-wave　communication　system　based　on　Raptor　codes.　This　system　can　improve　the　transmission　efficiency　and　reliability　of　the　short-wave　communication　due　to　the　rateless　property　of　fountain　codes.　©　2011　Springer-Verlag.