Method and apparatus for indicating uncorrectable errors to a target

Apparatus for indicating to a target device the presence of uncorrectable errors in transmitted data, the apparatus comprising:

• an interface receiving first data comprising a plurality of input vectors, which includes a primary input vector and a set of secondary input vectors;
• and
• a processing device coupled to the interface and performing the steps of,
• encoding the set of secondary input vectors using an error correcting code to generate a set of encoded secondary input vectors;
• determining a quality metric indication associated with the first data;
• detecting uncorrectable errors in the first data based on the quality metric indication;
• based on detecting the uncorrectable errors in the first data, substituting a predetermined codeword for the primary input vector encoded using a non-perfect code, and substituting a predetermined input vector for the primary input vector;
• and
• modulating the set of encoded secondary input vectors using the predetermined input vector to generate a modulated set of encoded secondary input vectors;
• and
• a transmitter coupled to the processing device and transmitting as second data the predetermined codeword and the modulated set of encoded secondary input vectors to the target device, wherein the substituting step creates a first number of errors that is detected by the target device as uncorrectable errors in the transmitted second data.

A computer-readable storage element having computer readable code stored thereon for programming a computer to perform a method for indicating to a target device the presence of uncorrectable errors in transmitted data, the method comprising the steps of:

• obtaining first data comprising a plurality of input vectors, which includes a primary input vector and a set of secondary input vectors;
• encoding the set of secondary input vectors using an error correcting code to generate a set of encoded secondary input vectors;
• determining a quality metric indication associated with the first data;
• detecting uncorrectable errors in the first data based on the quality metric indication;
• based on detecting the uncorrectable errors in the first data, substituting a predetermined codeword for the primary input vector encoded using a non-perfect code, and substituting a predetermined input vector for the primary input vector;
• and
• modulating the set of encoded secondary input vectors using the predetermined input vector to generate a modulated set of encoded secondary input vectors that is transmitted with the predetermined codeword as second data to the target device, wherein the substituting step creates a first number of errors that is detected by the target device as uncorrectable errors in the transmitted second data.