Enhanced pci express (pcie) forward error correction (fec)

A method for error correction in a PCI Express (PCIe) Forward Error Correction (FEC) system, the method comprising:

• receiving an FEC block comprising interleaved Reed-Solomon (RS) codewords;
• decoding the FEC block using a standard decoder to correct up to three successive RS symbol errors;
• if the standard decoder fails, attempting error correction using one or more parallel decoders, comprising at least a 4-burst decoder to correct a single burst error spanning four RS symbols;
• and
• selecting a corrected FEC block from an output of one of the standard decoder and the one or more parallel decoders based on successful error correction.

An apparatus for error correction in a PCI Express (PCIe) Forward Error Correction (FEC) system, the apparatus comprising:

• a standard decoder to correct up to three successive Reed-Solomon (RS) symbol errors;
• one or more parallel decoders, to correct specific burst error patterns exceeding a correction capability of the standard decoder;
• and
• a multiplexer to select a corrected FEC block from one of the standard decoder and the one or more parallel decoders based on successful error correction.