VLSI single-chip (255,223) Reed-Solomon encoder with interleaver

In a concatenated Reed-Solomon/convolutional encoding system for transmitting data symbols from a source with a Reed-Solomon outer code and a convolutional inner code, said data symbols being grouped in frames having a fixed number of said data symbols for Reed-Solomon outer code encoding, whereby a fixed number of parity check symbols are generated for each frame, apparatus comprising

• means for encoding each of a programmable number of successive frames grouped in a block of data symbols with said Reed-Solomon outer code to generate said number of parity check symbols for each frame of a block, comprised of
• a bit serial Berlekamp multipler having parallel storage for partial remainders in an array of registers S.sub.i for 1.ltoreq.i.ltoreq.n to develop parity check symbols A.sub.i, B.sub.i . . . , N.sub.i for 1.ltoreq.i.ltoreq.n, where N is the programmable number of frames in a block, and n is the number of check symbols generated for each of said frames in a block, whereby said array has a row of separate registers for developing partial remainders into parity check symbols for each of said programmable number N of successive frames in a block and storing said fixed number n of parity check symbols in separate registers for each of said frame, and
• means for reading out check symbols in interleaved sequence of A.sub.1, B.sub.1, . . . , N.sub.1 ;
• A.sub.2, B.sub.2, . . . , N.sub.2 ;
• . . . A.sub.n, B.sub.n, . . . , N.sub.n,
• means for programming the number of frames grouped in a block for encoding with said Reed-Solomon outer code by programmably setting said number of parallel storage registers to be active in storing parity check symbols,
• means for encoding each of said frames and associated interleaved parity check symbols of said block with a convolutional inner code for transmission through a channel,
• means for receiving said frames and associated interleaved parity check symbols of said block and for decoding said convolutional code of said block with a Viterbi maximum likelihood decoder, and
• means for matching each frame of symbols in a block of frames encoded with said Reed-Solomon outer code with said associated check symbols for Reed-Solomon outer code decoding.