Method and apparatus for indicating uncorrectable errors to a target

In a forward error correction encoder comprising a primary error correction encoder, at least one secondary error correction encoder, a pseudo-random bit modulator operably coupled to the at least one secondary error correction encoder, a storage device operably coupled to the pseudo-random bit modulator, and a quality metric determiner operably coupled to the storage device, a method for forward-error correction encoding a set of input vectors that includes a primary input vector and a secondary set of input vectors, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) determining, by the quality metric determiner, a quality metric of the set of input vectors;
• b) encoding, by the primary error correction encoder, the primary input vector to produce a primary encoded vector;
• c) encoding, by the at least one secondary error correction encoder, the secondary set of input vectors to produce a secondary set of encoded vectors;
• d) when the quality metric indicates that the set of input vectors is not usable, modulating, by the pseudo-random bit modulator, the secondary set of encoded vectors based on a predetermined input vector stored in the storage device;
• and
• e) when the quality metric indicates that the set of input vectors is not usable, substituting a predetermined codeword, stored in the storage device, for the primary encoded vector.

A forward error correction encoder for encoding a set of input vectors that includes a primary input vector and a secondary set of input vectors, the forward error correction encoder comprising:

• a primary error correction encoder that encodes the primary input vector to produce a primary encoded vector;
• at least one secondary error correction encoder that encodes the secondary set of input vectors to produce a secondary set of encoded vectors;
• a pseudo-random bit modulator, operably connected to the at least one secondary error correction encoder, that modulates the secondary set of encoded vectors based on a seed vector;
• a storage device, operably coupled to the pseudo-random bit modulator, that stores a predetermined codeword and a predetermined input vector;
• and
• a quality metric determiner, operably coupled to the storage device, that determines a quality metric of the set of input vectors, wherein the seed vector comprises the primary input vector when the quality metric indicates that the set of input vectors is usable, and wherein the seed vector comprises the predetermined input vector and the predetermined codeword is substituted for the primary encoded vector when the quality metric indicates that the set of input vectors is not usable.

A base station comprising:

• a wireline interface for receiving a set of input vectors, the set of input vectors further comprising a primary input vector and a secondary set of input vectors;
• a forward error correction encoder, operably coupled to the wireline interface, for encoding the set of input vectors, the forward error correction encoder comprising:
• a primary error correction encoder that encodes the primary input vector to produce a primary encoded vector;
• at least one secondary error correction encoder that encodes the secondary set of input vectors to produce a secondary set of encoded vectors;
• a pseudo-random bit modulator, operably connected to the at least one secondary error correction encoder, that modulates the secondary set of encoded vectors based on a seed vector;
• a storage device, operably coupled to the pseudorandom bit modulator, that stores a predetermined codeword and a predetermined input vector;
• a quality metric determiner, operably coupled to the storage device, that determines a quality metric of the set of input vectors, wherein the seed vector comprises the primary input vector when the quality metric indicates that the set of input vectors is usable, and wherein the predetermined codeword is substituted for the primary encoded vector and the seed vector comprises the predetermined input vector when the quality metric indicates that the set of input vectors is not usable;
• a bit interleaver, operably coupled to the primary error correction encoder, the pseudo-random bit modulator, and the storage device, that interleaves the secondary set of encoded vectors and one of a set that includes the primary encoded vector and the predetermined codeword to produce interleaved vectors;
• and
• a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, operably coupled to the forward error correction encoder, for transmitting the interleaved vectors.

A repeater comprising:

• a radio frequency (RF) receiver for receiving a set of input vectors, the set of input vectors further comprising a primary input vector and a secondary set of input vectors;
• a forward error correction encoder, operably coupled to the RF receiver, for encoding the set of input vectors, the forward error correction encoder comprising:
• a primary error correction encoder that encodes the primary input vector to produce a primary encoded vector;
• at least one secondary error correction encoder that encodes the secondary set of input vectors to produce a secondary set of encoded vectors;
• a pseudo-random bit modulator, operably connected to the at least one secondary error correction encoder, that modulates the secondary set of encoded vectors based on a seed vector;
• a storage device, operably coupled to the pseudo-random bit modulator, that stores a predetermined codeword and a predetermined input vector;
• a quality metric determiner, operably coupled to the storage device, that determines a quality metric of the set of input vectors, wherein the seed vector comprises the primary input vector when the quality metric indicates that the set of input vectors is usable, and wherein the predetermined codeword is substituted for the primary encoded vector and the seed vector comprises the predetermined input vector when the quality metric indicates that the set of input vectors is not usable;
• a bit interleaver, operably coupled to the primary error correction encoder, the pseudo-random bit modulator, and the storage device, that interleaves the secondary set of encoded vectors and one of a set that includes the primary encoded vector and the predetermined codeword to produce interleaved vectors;
• and
• an RF transmitter, operably coupled to the forward error correction encoder, for transmitting the interleaved vectors.