How to Evaluate FEC Performance for High-Speed Ethernet Links

Get quote
UXR-Series Oscilloscope
+ UXR-Series Oscilloscope
UXR-Series Oscilloscope
+ UXR-Series Oscilloscope

Validating FEC performance of high-speed Ethernet links

Testing high-speed Ethernet links requires evaluating the error-correction mechanism you are using. The process involves identifying the cause of the errors, which can either be forward error correction (FEC) symbol errors or PCS lane errors generated by port electronics, optical transceivers, or cables. Measurements like pre-FEC bit error rate (BER), FEC symbol density, the number of uncorrectable FEC codewords, and the frame loss ratio are used to determine link health.

The test setup for validating FEC performance of high-speed Ethernet links includes the device under test and a bit error rate tester (BERT) to replace some of the stressed lanes. An optical loopback goes from the device under test to an optical transceiver, but as an alternative, you can use an electrical loopback to the coax interface. For debugging purposes, use a real-time oscilloscope.

FEC analysis solution

High-speed Ethernet links introduce new challenges, including an increased bit error rate (BER), mandatory forward error correction (FEC), PCS performance issues, and different switch designs and implementations. The Keysight high-data-rate, multiple-channel FEC test solution provides test coverage for a broad range of Layer 1–3 use cases and visibility into all Ethernet lanes to detect and correlate meaningful errors.
Get quote

See demo of FEC performance analysis

Explore products for our FEC analysis solution

Related use cases

How to Test 1.6T Electrical Transmitter Conformance

Validating 1.6T transceivers for data center applications requires precise electrical transmitter testing. Learn how high-bandwidth oscilloscopes help validate IEEE 802.3dj and OIF-CEI-224G compliance for electrical interfaces.

Learn more

How to Test 1.6T Electrical Receiver Conformance

Testing 1.6T electrical receivers requires calibrated stress signals and BER analysis. Learn how UXR oscilloscopes and 120 GBaud BERTs enable receiver analysis.

Learn more

How to Test 1.6T Optical Transmitter Conformance

Testing 1.6T optical transmitters requires precise waveform analysis and TDECQ measurement. Learn how sampling oscilloscopes enable compliance testing.

Learn more

contact us logo

Get in touch with one of our experts

Need help finding the right solution for you?

Contact us