Upstream FEC Errors and SNR as Ways to Ensure Data Quality and Throughput

Overview

To operate a High Speed Data (HSD) network over a Hybrid Fiber/Coaxial (HFC) cable plant requires a significant level of quality control to ensure data integrity and the highest level of data throughput. The two generally accepted means by which cable operators can measure data quality is by monitoring either the Bit Error Rate (BER) or the Packet Error Rate (PER). The Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) outlines requirements that each cable operator must maintain in order to reliably transport IP data traffic. An important feature of DOCSIS addresses the need to protect IP data against Radio Frequency (RF) noise impairments. The feature DOCSIS uses to help maintain IP data integrity over HFC cable plants is Reed-Solomon Forward Error Correction (FEC) encoding.