System and method for forward error correction

A forward error correction system for reducing the transmission error in a data transmission is provided. The system comprises an encoder for encoding data, an interleaver for interleaving the encoded data to an output data stream and a first buffer for storing the interleaved data. A transmitter is operatively associated with the first buffer for transmitting the interleaved data. A deinterleaver receives and deinterleaves the transmitted interleaved data and a second buffer operatively coupled with the deinterleaver stores the deinterleaved data. A decoder operatively coupled with the second buffer decodes the deinterleaved data. The deinterleaved data is decoded without intermediate storage, reducing the storage requirements.