Memory controller and method for decoding memory devices with early hard-decode exit

Abstract

A method and apparatus for decoding are disclosed. The method includes receiving a first Forward Error Correction (FEC) block of read values, starting a hard-decode process in which a number of check node failures is identified and, during the hard-decode process comparing the identified number of check node failures to a decode threshold. When the identified number of check node failures is not greater than the decode threshold the hard-decode process is continued. When the identified number of check node failures is greater than the decode threshold, the method includes: stopping the hard-decode process prior to completion of the hard-decode process; generating output indicating that additional reads are required; receiving one or more additional FEC blocks of read values, mapping the first FEC block of read values and the additional FEC blocks of read values into soft-input values; and performing a soft-decode process on the soft-input values.