High-speed decoder of Reed-Solomon codes

A high speed decoding algorithm using a modified step-by-step method for t-error-correcting Reed-Solomon codes is introduced. Based on this algorithm, a sequential decoder and a vector decoder are then proposed. These two decoders can be constructed by four basic modules: the syndrome calculation module, the comparison module, the decision module, and the shift-control module. These decoders can be applied for both binary and nonbinary data transmissions working at high data rate. Because of the simplicity in structure and circuit realization, a decoder employing this algorithm can be easily implemented in a monolithic chip by the VLSI technology.