Encoder & Decoder Parallelization Levels

In any ECC system, both the encoder and decoder can be parallelized to achieve higher performance.  The level of parallelism in the encoder can vary from 1 to K where K is the number of symbols in a message.  The Encoder Parallelization Level will be referred to as EPL.

The level of parallelism in the decoder can vary from 1 to N where N is the number of symbols in a codeword and received word.  The Decoder Parallelization Level will be referred to as DPL.

There can be from 1 to N serial channels.

The drawing below illustrates a serial encoder and decoder with one serial channel.

The drawing below illustrates a partially parallelized encoder and decoder with one serial channel.

The drawing below illustrates a fully parallelized encoder and decoder with one serial channel.

The drawing below illustrates a fully parallelized encoder and decoder with N parallel channels like the parallel RS implementations used to create fauilt-tolerant communications or storage systems.

Many encoder, channel and decoder configurations are possible, but normally the EPL=DPL and is determined by the peformance requirements of the system.

EPL and DPL are not the same as the PPU Parallelization Level.