Parallel channel skew for enhanced error correction

A SerDes transmitter that comprises:

• a block code encoder configured to convert a sequence of input data blocks into a sequence of encoded data blocks;
• a demultiplexer configured to distribute code symbols from the sequence of encoded data blocks to multiple lanes in a cyclical fashion, the multiple lanes corresponding to parallel transmission channels;
• a skewer configured to buffer the multiple lanes to provide respective lane delays, the lane delays differing from each other by no less than half an encoded data block period;
• and
• multiple drivers, each driver configured to transmit code symbols from one of said multiple lanes on a respective one of said parallel transmission channels.

A digital communication method that comprises:

• encoding a sequence of input data blocks into a sequence of encoded data blocks;
• distributing the sequence of encoded data blocks in symbol-by-symbol fashion across multiple lanes corresponding to parallel transmission channels;
• buffering the multiple lanes to provide respective lane delays, the lane delays differing from each other by no less than half an encoded data block period;
• and
• driving the parallel transmission channels each with symbols from a respective one of the multiple lanes.