Method and apparatus for N+1 packet level mesh protection

An error correction encoder, comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• at least one processor, coupled to the memory, operative to:
• assemble M-T data packets, wherein M is a number of packets in a M-way mesh and T is a number of protection packets;
• append a sequence number and a payload integrity check to each of said M-T data packets;
• and
• create T protection packets having said sequence number and payload integrity check, wherein a payload for each of said T protection packets comprises one or more payload symbols each generated from symbols in a corresponding location in said M-T data packets.

An error correction encoding computer implemented method, comprising:

• assembling a number of data packets, wherein M is a number of packets in a M-way mesh and T is a number of protection packets;
• appending a sequence number and a payload integrity check to each of said data packets;
• and
• creating a number of protection packets having said sequence number and payload integrity check, wherein a payload for each of said protection packets comprises one or more payload symbols each generated from symbols in a corresponding location in said data packets.