DECODING METHOD AND DECODER FOR REED SOLOMON CODE

A refinement of the Inverse-Free Berlekamp-Massey algorithm in which calculation of the discrepancy (δ) is performed using coefficients having a common index (j), thereby reducing the number of multipliers required. The errata magnitudes can also be calculated using coefficients having a common index (j), also reducing the number of multipliers required. Common multipliers can be used for both calculations, thereby further reducing the number of multipliers required.