Error correction system using an iterative product code

An iterative decoding apparatus for recovering received data that includes a plurality of encoded symbols, the apparatus comprising:

• a soft-output detector that detects the received data to provide a plurality of detected symbols and bit reliability metrics associated with the plurality of detected symbols;
• a first decoder that decodes the plurality of detected symbols based at least on and embedded parity code to obtain decoded data;
• and
• a second decoder that, on detecting a next decoding iteration, (1) generates soft information based on the decoded data and the bit reliability metrics using an interleaved code, and (2) provides the soft information to bias decoding in the next decoding iteration.

An iterative decoding apparatus for decoding received data that includes a plurality of encoded symbols, the apparatus comprising:

• means for detecting the received data to provide detected symbols and bit reliability metrics associated with the detected symbols;
• means for decoding at least a portion of the detected symbols based at least on an embedded parity code to obtain decoded data;
• and
• means for generating that, on detecting a next decoding iteration, generates soft information based on the decoded data and the bit reliability metrics using an interleaved code, and provides the soft information to bias decoding in the next decoding iteration.