Product code decoding method and device

A method for a decoding device to decode a codeword matrix of a product code, comprising:

• decoding a horizontal codeword of a plurality of rows in the codeword matrix;
• and
• when there are at least two decoding-failed horizontal codewords in the codeword matrix, dividing the at least two horizontal codewords into two groups, and re-decoding the first horizontal codeword by using two pieces of independent soft decision information for a virtual first horizontal codeword corresponding to a binary sum of the horizontal codeword in the first group.

A device for decoding a codeword matrix of a product code, comprising:

• a horizontal codeword decoder for decoding a horizontal codeword of a plurality of rows in the codeword matrix to thus perform a first decoding process, and decoding a decoding-failed horizontal codeword or virtual horizontal codeword by using a result of combining two pieces of independent soft decision information for the decoding-failed horizontal codeword during the first decoding process or virtual horizontal codeword generated by performing a binary sum on a plurality of decoding-failed horizontal codewords to thus perform a second decoding process;
• and
• a soft decision information combiner for combining two pieces of independent soft decision information for the decoding-failed horizontal codeword or the virtual horizontal codeword and providing a combined result to the horizontal codeword decoder.