Part 4/8:
For example, in a 16-bit block, only 12 bits are dedicated to actual data, while the other four bits serve as redundancy. Positioned at powers of two, these special bits enable intricate error detection mechanisms.
Data Storage: Out of 16 bits, 12 are used for actual data and 4 for error correction.
Parity Checks: The error-checking bits employ parity checks, ensuring that even when bits are flipped, correction is possible.
Parity Checks: A Foundational Concept
The concept of parity checks is crucial to the Hamming code. A parity check involves assigning a single "parity bit" to ensure the total count of 1s in a group of bits is even. If an error occurs, the count of 1s shifts from even to odd, indicating an error without revealing its exact location.