Error correction processor for correcting a multi-dimensional code by generating an erasure polynomial over one dimension for correcting multiple codewords in another dimension

A method of correcting errors in binary data read from a disk storage medium, wherein the binary data comprises a first and second set of intersecting ECC codewords of a multi-dimensional codeword, comprising the steps of:

• (a) generating a first erasure polynomial .sigma.(x).sub.EP while processing the first set codewords;
• (b) generating ECC syndromes in response to a second set codeword;
• (c) generating an error locator polynomial .sigma.(x) in response to the ECC syndromes;
• (d) generating correction values in response to either the error-locator polynomial .sigma.(x) or the first erasure polynomial .sigma.(x).sub.EP ;
• (e) correcting errors in the second set codeword using the correction values;
• and
• (f) repeating steps (b) through (e) at least once.

An error correction processor for correcting errors in binary data read from a disk storage medium, wherein the binary data comprises intersecting row and column ECC codewords of a product code, the error correction processor comprising:

• (a) a syndrome generator for generating ECC syndromes in response to a column codeword;
• (b) an error-locator polynomial generator for generating an error locator polynomial .sigma.(x) in response to the ECC syndromes;
• (c) a selector for selecting between the error-locator polynomial .sigma.(x) and an erasure polynomial .sigma.(x).sub.EP, wherein:
• (i) the erasure polynomial .sigma.(x).sub.EP is generated while processing the row codewords;
• and
• (ii) the erasure polynomial .sigma.(x).sub.EP is used to correct at least two column codewords;
• and
• (d) an error corrector for generating correction values in response to either the error-locator polynomial .sigma.(x) or the erasure polynomial .sigma.(x).sub.EP output by the selector, the correction values for correcting errors in the column codeword.