Question

What is parity bit? Explain how Single Error Correcting (SEC) code uses parity bits. If an 8 bit data 10101010 on transmission is received as 10111010, then how the SEC code will detect and correct this error.

Answer 1

A parity bit is an error detection bit added to binary data such that it makes the total number of 1's in the data either odd or even.

SEC code is used in semiconductor memories for correction of single bit errors. It is supplemented with an added features for detection of errors in two bits. This is called a Single Error Correction- Double Error Detecting (SEC-DED) code. This code requires an additional check bit in comparison to SEC code.