Methods and systems for forward error correction for measurement while drilling (MWD) communication systems

A communication method is provided for a communication system comprising a transmitter and a receiver. The method involves communicating data from the transmitter to the receiver over a banded communication channel. The method comprises: applying a forward error correction, FEC, code to data to be transmitted to obtain FEC-encoded data; assigning the FEC-encoded data into a plurality of sub-channels; modulating the data from each of the plurality of sub-channels into a corresponding one of a plurality of sub-bands, the plurality of sub-bands having spaced apart center frequencies; and concurrently transmitting the data from the plurality of sub-bands onto a banded communication channel, the banded communication channel comprising one or more pass-bands and one or more stop-bands.