Enhanced data storage with concatenated inner and outer error correction codes

A media controller for a storage system comprising:

• a host interface, configured to interface with a host system;
• a media interface, configured to interface with a storage media;
• and
• processing circuitry coupled with the host interface and the storage interface configured to:
• determine encoded data to be written to the storage media by applying at least an initial encoding comprising a first error correcting code type and a subsequent encoding comprising a second error correcting code type;
• write the encoded data to the storage media;
• responsive to reading the encoded data from the storage media, process the encoded data into primary decoded data using one or more primary decoders employing the second error correcting code type and detecting when data errors arise in the decoded data;
• and
• based at least on detecting one or more data errors in the decoded data, process the encoded data into secondary decoded data using one or more secondary decoders employing the first error correcting code type.

One or more non-transitory computer-readable media having stored thereon program instructions to operate a media controller for a storage system, the program instructions, when executed by processing circuitry, direct the processing circuitry to at least:

• determine encoded data to be written to a storage media by applying at least an initial encoding comprising a first error correcting code type and a subsequent encoding comprising a second error correcting code type;
• write the encoded data to the storage media;
• responsive to reading the encoded data from the storage media, process the encoded data into primary decoded data using one or more primary decoders employing the second error correcting code type and detecting when data errors arise in the decoded data;
• and
• based at least on detecting one or more data errors in the decoded data, process the encoded data into secondary decoded data using one or more secondary decoders employing the first error correcting code type.