Error correction methods and apparatuses using first and second decoders

摘要

Apparatuses and methods for error correcting data are provided. A first error correction code (ECC) decoder is configured to decode a first codeword to provide a first result and to decode a second codeword to provide a second result. The decoder is configured to run up to a particular number of iterations to provide each of the results. A second ECC decoder is configured to decode a third codeword to provide decoded data, wherein the third codeword includes the first result and the second result. An evaluation module is configured to initiate a recovery scheme responsive to the decoded data including an error.

主权项

1. A method for error correcting data, the method comprising:
reading a first codeword from memory, wherein the first codeword comprises first user data and error correction code (ECC) bits of a first type; reading a second codeword from the memory, wherein the second codeword comprises second user data and ECC bits of the first type; decoding the first codeword using a first decoder associated with a first ECC decoding procedure to provide a first result without inputting soft data to the first decoder, wherein the first decoder runs up to a particular number of iterations to provide the first result, and wherein the first decoder is capable of decoding using soft data; decoding the second codeword using the first decoder associated with the first ECC decoding procedure to provide a second result without inputting soft data to the first decoder, wherein the first decoder runs up to the particular number of iterations to provide the second result; grouping together the first result and the second result to form a third codeword before decoding the third codeword, wherein the third codeword is an outer codeword that comprises the first user data, the second user data, and ECC bits of a second type protecting the combined first and second codewords; decoding the outer codeword using a second decoder associated with a second ECC decoding procedure to provide decoded data, wherein the second ECC decoding procedure is different from the first ECC decoding procedure; and performing a recovery scheme only if the decoded outer codeword includes an error, wherein performing the recovery scheme includes:
reading, from the memory, soft data corresponding to the first and second codewords; andproviding the soft data to the first decoder in association with re-decoding the first and second codewords with the first decoder such that soft data is provided to the first decoder only if the decoded outer codeword includes an error.