Reconfigurable devices for error-detection/correction applications

Most digital, recording systems employ error-correction codes/techniques to correct spurious errors. A fixed error-correction strategy is normally employed the power of which is based on the worst-case error characteristics of the system. The redundancy inherent in the codewords must be stored on the recording medium and this displaces recording capacity which could, in an error-free system, be occupied by information. If the error-correction strategy were varied according to the prevailing error conditions a reduced redundancy overhead would be incurred thus affording an increase in recording capacity. The difference in the electronic circuits for error-correction schemes of varying power is largely one of extent and thus, such an adaptive error-correction scheme is possible through the use of reconfigurable electronics. There are a number of techniques which can be applied but these are a trade off between effective device utilisation and the fast reconfiguration time required. Use of the Xilinx X4000E series in this application is limited because it cannot be selectively reconfigured. The more advanced 6000 series does offer this feature but the device is more difficult to use and development tools do not seem to be well developed