System and method for correcting data errors

A system for correcting errors in blocks of data received over a communication medium, said system comprising:

• an error history unit configured to maintain information associated with each bit position of said blocks of data in which a correctable error has occurred, wherein said information is indicative of previous occurrences of correctable errors associated with each bit position;
• and
• an error correction unit coupled to said error history unit and configured to perform an error correction on a given block of data using an error correction code capable of correcting at least a single bit error and detecting multiple bit errors;
• wherein in response to detecting a multiple bit error in said given block of data, said error correction unit is configured to complement at least one bit of said given block of data based on said information, determine if a single bit error is present in said given block of data subsequent to complementing the at least one bit, and correct the single bit error if present.