Forward error correction assisted receiver optimization

Abstract

A method for recovering an outgoing data signal from an incoming signal received over a transmission network. The method provides for preparing a bit error rate (BER) map for a data regenerator, determining, on the BER map, an optimal operation point for a provisioned BER.sub.prov value, and monitoring the data regenerator to function in the optimal operation point for providing a regenerated data signal. In addition, the errors in the regenerated data signal may be further corrected using current forward error correction circuitry. To prepare a BER map, the data regenerator operates in an error mapping mode, wherein the incoming signal is decoded using a slicing level V.sub.i and a phase shifted clock signal CL.sub.j. Each value BER.sub.i,j is measured over a preset period of time T.sub.prov for a pair V.sub.i, .phi..sub.j and stored in a memory. The BER maps may be prepared once a day or at any other suitable interval. In the optimization mode, the operation point for the regenerator is calculated for a BER contour corresponding to the provisioned BER.sub.prov, for determining the coordinates V.sub.opt and .phi..sub.opt. In the data regeneration mode, the regenerated data signal is obtained using V.sub.opt and .phi..sub.opt.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.