FEC BLER Estimation Using Temporal Symbol Error Patterns

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems face challenges in estimating the long-term Block Error Rate (BLER) of Forward Error Correction (FEC) codes due to its extremely low error rates, making reliable estimation time-consuming and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for estimating long-term BLER based on the temporal distribution of symbol errors prior to error correction, enabling rapid and accurate estimation even when decoded data is error-free.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional error rate estimation methods are used, then measurement precision is maintained, but the estimation process becomes extremely time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveBLER estimation accuracyVSAvoidestimation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary analysis of symbol error patterns and temporal distributions before conducting full BLER estimation. By pre-processing the error data to identify patterns and characteristics, the system prepares the foundation for rapid accurate estimation without requiring exhaustive measurement periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring complete observation of all error events to achieve accurate BLER estimation, the patent uses partial observation of symbol error patterns and temporal distributions. The method derives accurate BLER metrics from incomplete but representative error data, significantly reducing the observation time needed while maintaining precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Reliability

If the system monitors and estimates long-term BLER accurately, then reliability of communication link assessment is improved, but device complexity and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication link assessment reliabilityVSAvoidBLER estimation system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the BLER estimation process into distinct functional modules: symbol error detection, temporal distribution analysis, pattern recognition, and BLER derivation. Each module handles a specific aspect of the estimation process, making the overall complex task more manageable and implementable through modular system design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediate metrics such as symbol error patterns and temporal distributions as mediators between raw error data and final BLER estimation. These intermediate representations simplify the transformation from observed errors to reliable BLER assessment, reducing the direct complexity of the estimation system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250350300A1Estimating Long-Term Block Error Rate of a Forward Error Correction Code

Publication Date: 2025.11.13 MELLANOX TECHNOLOGIES LTD(IL)

AI summary

A method includes receiving a set of codewords of a Forward Error Correction (FEC) code, each codeword including a plurality of code symbols. A temporal distribution of erroneous code symbols is estimated over the set of codewords. A long-term Block Error Rate (BLER) associated with the set of codewords is estimated based on the temporal distribution of the erroneous code symbols.