An integrated circuit (IC) includes an encoder circuit. The encoder circuit includes an encoding input configured to receive an input message including one or more data symbols. Each data symbol has N bits and N is a positive integer. The encoder circuit includes an encoding unit configured to perform Reed-Solomon encoding to the one or more data symbols to generate one or more coding symbols. The Reed-Solomon encoding uses a Galois field having an order that is less than 2.sup.N. A coded message that includes the one or more data symbols and the one or more coding symbols is provided at an encoding output of the encoder circuit.
