Shared circuitry for the encoding and syndrome generation functions of a

Abstract

Apparatus is disclosed for providing an improved encoder and frequency-domain syndrome generator circuit implementing Reed-Solomon codes which reduces hardware by sharing circuitry between the encoding and frequency-domain syndrome generation functions. Self-checking for proper encoder operation during write operations is achieved by verifying that all remainders from dividing codewords by factors of the code generator polynomial are equal to zero after encoding. Apparatus implements fast finite-field multiplication by a selected constant using Read Only Memory circuits. Hardware required is further reduced by incorporating Random Access Memory circuits and employing time-multiplexing techniques. Interleaved codewords are supported by implementing memory circuits for storing intermediate results of other codewords while processing symbols from one codeword.