A system including a padding field generator and an encoder. The padding field generator is configured to generate a first padding field for a frame. The frame includes (i) a preamble field, (ii) a syncmark field, and (iii) a data field. The first padding field is located between (i) the preamble field and (ii) the syncmark field. The preamble field, the first padding field, and the syncmark field precede the data field. The encoder is configured to encode, using an error-correcting code, (i) the first padding field, (ii) the syncmark field, and (iii) the data field; and to generate, based on the encoding performed using the error-correcting code, one or more parity bits. The one or more parity bits are stored in a parity field of the frame. The parity field is located subsequent to the data field in the frame.