FEC Codeblock Q Margin Using Maximum BER Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for calculating the Q margin in optical communication systems inaccurately represent the FEC's ability to handle errors due to averaging BER over time, which can mask high error rates in individual codeblocks, leading to incorrect Q margin calculations and potential system failures.
Innovation Solution
Record and compare BER for each FEC codeblock individually to determine the maximum BER, then compare this to the FEC threshold to accurately calculate the Q margin, ensuring timely detection of errors exceeding the FEC's correction capability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If BER is averaged over time to calculate Q margin, then calculation complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to masking of high error rates in individual codeblocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the error analysis by evaluating each FEC codeblock individually rather than averaging BER across multiple codeblocks. This segmentation allows the system to identify and record the maximum BER observed in any single codeblock, providing a more accurate representation of the FEC's actual error handling capability and preventing masking of high error rate events.
2Ease of operation
If conventional averaging method is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential system failures from undetected high error rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by monitoring and recording the BER for each individual codeblock as it is processed, rather than waiting to average results afterward. This allows the system to proactively identify when a codeblock exceeds the FEC threshold and record the corresponding Q margin value, ensuring timely detection of problematic conditions before they cause system failures.
3Measurement precision
If individual codeblock BER monitoring is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional recording and comparison operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by focusing measurement resources on the most critical aspect: identifying the single codeblock with the highest BER. Rather than uniformly processing all codeblocks with equal detail, the system efficiently compares each codeblock's BER against the FEC threshold and records the maximum observed error rate, concentrating analytical effort where it provides the greatest insight into system reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, and ASIC chip for comparing a bit error rate (BER) to a forward error correction (FEC) threshold to determine a Q margin for a codeblock; wherein the BER corresponds to the number of errors in a given amount of data; where a codeblock of a FEC corresponds to the given amount of data; wherein the FEC threshold corresponds to the maximum amount of errors per codeblock that the FEC is able to remove per given amount of data; wherein the Q margin corresponds to a difference between the BER and the FEC threshold.