The purpose of the MA1916 is to encode serial data to allow error correction when the data is transmitted over a noisy communication link. As the name suggests, the unit contains two encoding elements. The Reed-Solomon encoder appends a checksum to a block of data, guarding against burst errors in a message. The convolution encoder continuously creates two code bits for each data bit it receives, increasing the noise immunity by doubling the band width of the message. The unit also contains a test pattern generator which can be connected to check the functionality of the RS encoder and to provide a message timing signal (SMC_OUT). Protection against a long error-burst can be increased by interleaving a number of message packets passing through the RS encoder. The MA1916 provides pin selectable interleave depths of 1, 4 or 5. Interleave depths of greater than 5 do not significantly improve performance. The MA1916 is designed to conform to the CCSDS standard for telemetry 101.0.B.2. It is manufactured in a radiation hard low power CMOS technology. This makes it ideal for use in satellite communications systems. The encoder reduces the risk of data corruption and allows the designer to minimize the transmitter power needed to establish an effective communications link.