Error-correcting encoding method with total parity bits, and method for detecting multiple errors

Abstract

An error-correcting coding method generates code words of m bits from useful data blocks of n bits. The method adds k check bits to a block of n useful data bits in order to generate a code word of m=n+k bits, said check bits being defined according to the combination rules defined by a parity matrix H consisting of binary elements and having k rows and m columns such that H·V=0, V being a column matrix whose m elements are the m bits of the code word to be generated. The k check bits are separated into two groups, on the one hand a group of k1 bits called total parity bits PT and on the other hand a group of k2 bits called conventional check bits VC, the values of k, k1 and k2 satisfying the conditions k=k1+k2 and k>k1>2, the matrix H whose columns can be swapped being broken down into six submatrices A, B, C, D, E and F. Another method detects multiple errors in code words generated by the coding method.