Technique for correcting single-bit errors and detecting paired double-bit errors

Abstract

A technique to detect and correct single bit errors and to detect paired bit errors in a data block. Two bits of the data block are paired and transferred on the same data path in different cycles. Check bits are computed prior to transferring the data block. A syndrome bits vector is computed when the data block is received. The syndrome bits vector includes a number of syndrome bits that is identical to the number of check bits. A value of the syndrome bits vector is used to detect and correct single bit errors and to detect paired double bit errors that occur in the data block without using an extended check bit. If the syndrome bits vector contains all zero bits, the data block is accepted without modification. If the syndrome bits vector is identical to a predetermined special vector V, a paired double bit error has occurred and either an unrecoverable error message is generated or a re-operation on the data block is requested. If the syndrome bits vector is not identical to V but contains bits that correspond to one of a plurality of assignment vectors, a single bit error is detected and corrected. Each of the assignment vectors corresponds to one of the bits in the data block and indicates what syndrome bits the corresponding bit in the data block is contributing to.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.