An adaptive and dynamic forward error correction scheme for a communication
channel is disclosed. The method and apparatus calculates the actual bit
error rate for comparison with a target bit error rate. When a channel is
performing better than required by the performance specifications, the
forward error correction power can be reduced to provide greater
throughput. If the calculated actual bit error rate is greater than the
target bit error rate, then the forward error correction power is
increased in an attempt to lower the calculated bit error rate. A feedback
loop is employed to continually calculate revised bit error rates as the
forward error correction power is increased or decreased.
