Codeword Error Display for FEC Symbol-Level Debugging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional error rate measuring apparatuses struggle to recognize errors and uncorrectable codewords in FEC symbol length units, making it difficult to diagnose issues in devices under test, as they lack the ability to separate FEC symbol data by codeword length and count uncorrectable codewords efficiently.
Innovation Solution
An error rate measuring apparatus that inputs NRZ or PAM4 signals to a device under test, sets codeword and FEC symbol lengths, counts FEC symbol errors, and displays them in units of codewords, allowing for identification of uncorrectable codewords and their occurrence ratio, facilitating efficient debugging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional error mapping function is used to display bit error positions, then bit-level error positions can be identified, but it is difficult to recognize error distribution by each FEC symbol length in codeword units and requires manual operation to determine codeword length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous bit error data into discrete codeword units based on predetermined codeword lengths. The error mapping function divides the bit pattern string into multiple codewords, each corresponding to a specific communication standard (e.g., 64b/66b, 256b/272b), and displays error distribution for each codeword separately. This segmentation enables precise error recognition at the codeword level while eliminating the need for manual codeword length determination.
2Loss of information
If manual operation is performed to determine codeword length, then codeword boundaries can be identified, but time and effort are required for debugging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-storing multiple codeword length parameters corresponding to different communication standards in the storage unit. Before error measurement begins, the system is already configured with codeword length information for various standards (e.g., 64b/66b: 64 bits, 256b/272b: 256 bits). When measurement is initiated, the system automatically selects and applies the appropriate codeword length without requiring manual intervention, thereby eliminating debugging time loss while ensuring complete codeword information is captured.
3Productivity
If error data is displayed without codeword separation, then simple display is achieved, but uncorrectable codewords cannot be efficiently identified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different display treatments for different regions of the error data. The display unit presents error information in a structured format where each codeword is displayed separately with its error count, and codewords exceeding the error threshold are highlighted or marked as uncorrectable. This localized differentiation enables efficient identification of problematic codewords without requiring complex overall display restructuring, thereby improving debugging efficiency while maintaining manageable display function complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An error rate measuring apparatus includes: an operation unit that sets a codeword length, an FEC symbol length, and an FEC symbol error threshold in accordance with a communication standard of a device under test W; error counting means for counting FEC symbol error detected at one FEC symbol interval and an uncorrectable codeword; a display unit that identifies and displays bit string data according to presence or absence of the FEC symbol error in FEC symbol length units based on a counting result; and display control means for performing display control by setting one zone of a display area of identification display as one FEC symbol length, matching a zone length of a horizontal axis of the display area with one codeword length, and performing line feed in codeword length units.