14. The method of claim 10 , wherein computing the plurality of syndrome words comprises multiplying a portion of the smaller code words by a matrix H1, where α is a root of an irreducible polynomial over the Galois field FG(2 m ); and 
 H 1=[1α . . . α N-1 ].
14. The method of claim 10 , wherein computing the plurality of syndrome words comprises multiplying a portion of the smaller code words by a matrix H1, where α is a root of an irreducible polynomial over the Galois field FG(2 m ); and 
 H 1=[1α . . . α N-1 ]. 15. The method of claim 14 , wherein computing the plurality of syndrome words comprises multiplying a portion of the smaller code words by a matrix H2, where H ⁢ ⁢ 2 = [ 1 1 … 1 1 α - 1 … α - ( N - 1 ) ] .