A decoder, encoder and corresponding system are disclosed for providing
fast Forward Error Correcting (FEC) decoding and encoding of
syndrome-based error correcting codes. Three-parallel processing is
performed by elements of the system. More particularly, in an
illustrative embodiment, a decoder performs three-parallel syndrome
generation and error determination and calculations, and an encoder
performs three-parallel encoding. Low power and complexity techniques are
used to save cost and power yet provide relatively high speed encoding
and decoding.