Method and apparatus for decoding and correcting a first byte based on a status of a second byte adjacent to the first byte and in response to a failure to decode the first byte

A decoder comprising:

• a first decode module configured to (i) receive data, and (ii) perform a first decoding iteration to decode the data, wherein the first decoding iteration includes generating a first matrix, and wherein the first matrix includes a first byte;
• a matrix module configured to generate a second matrix based on the first matrix, wherein the second matrix includes the first byte and a second byte, and wherein the second byte is (i) adjacent and sequentially prior to the first byte, or (ii) adjacent and sequentially subsequent to the first byte;
• and
• a marking module configured to (i) subsequent to the first decoding iteration, determine whether the first byte of the first matrix has been correctly decoded, (ii) based on determining whether the first byte of the first matrix has been correctly decoded, determine a status of the second byte, and (iii) based on the status of the second byte, mark the first byte as an erasure,
• wherein the first decode module is configured to (i) perform a second decoding iteration, and (ii) based on the second byte being marked as an erasure, correct the second byte during the second decoding iteration.