Link Layer Forward Error Correction Research Articles

A Novel Physical Layer Split FEC Scheme for Long Time Interleaving With Fast Zapping Support

This paper describes a novel forward error correction (FEC) and time interleaving scheme, known as BB-iFEC (Base Band - inter-burst FEC), aimed to provide long time interleaving with fast zapping support. BB-iFEC is a split FEC scheme with an outer FEC and an outer time interleaver concatenated to the inner FEC and inner time interleaver. It is based on the link layer FEC scheme of the hybrid satellite-terrestrial mobile broadcasting standard DVB-SH (Satellite to Handhelds), known as MPE-iFEC (Multi Protocol Encapsulation - inter-burst FEC), but moved down to the physical layer. This allows full transparency towards upper layers, as well as reduced signaling overhead and packet fragmentation. However, the major novelty is that it allows re-using the soft information at the output of the inner FEC decoder (i.e., the log-likelihood ratios, LLRs). Compared to hard decoding, this improves the performance at the expense of higher memory requirements at the receivers. Nevertheless, BB-iFEC allows to efficiently perform either soft or hard decoding, being thus a scalable solution. Another important advantage is that it can be introduced in future evolutions of existing systems, because it allows allows co-existence of terminals with and without long time interleaving support. The paper describes the main features of BB-iFEC and its implementation at the transmitter and receiver side. The paper also presents illustrative results for future evolutions of the digital terrestrial TV standard DVB-T2 (Second Generation Terrestrial), such as the next generation mobile broadcasting technology DVB-NGH (Next Generation Handheld).

Analysis, Simulation, and Implementation of VCP: A Wireless Profiling

Every congestion-control protocol operating in wireless networks is potentially faced with two major challenges of performance degradation. These sources are: 1) the coupling of fairness and efficiency; and 2) not properly differentiating between congestion-caused loss associated with network buffering and error-caused loss associated with fading effects. In this paper, we provide a Variable-structure Congestion-control Protocol (VCP)-based cross-layer framework of congestion control that can address both challenges noted. As a part of our framework, we introduce a loss differentiation heuristic algorithm that can be used with a variety of congestion-control protocols. Then, using analysis, simulation, implementation, and emulation, we profile the performance of a number of congestion-control alternatives in wireless networks. We describe the first implementation of VCP as a collection of loadable kernel modules along with fine-tuned implementations of XCP and TCP / AQM + ECN in Linux. We utilize NS2 as our simulation tool and a wired Linux testbed emulating wireless link effects as our experimental tool. We implement a finite-state Markov chain in both NS2 and our testbed in order to model error-caused loss over wireless links. We further use link-layer forward error correction (FEC) codes on a per-packet basis to compensate against such loss. Our profiling results demonstrate that VCP equipped with our loss differentiation heuristic and link-layer FEC represents a well-performing yet practical alternative of wireless congestion control. We also identify some of the shortcomings of VCP, including its oscillatory behavior in the presence of link estimation errors and poor fairness characteristic in multibottleneck networks.

Link-Layer FEC and Cross-Layer Architecture for DVB-S2 Transmission With QoS in Railway Scenarios

Digital Video Broadcasting via Satellite-Second Generation (DVB-S2) was originally designed for fixed terminals, but it has recently been adopted by the DVB Return Channel via Satellite for Mobile scenario (DVB-RCS +M) under the single-carrier-per-channel (SCPC) mode. For the purpose of adapting DVB-S2 for mobile reception, it has been agreed that, among others, forward error correction (FEC) at the link layer (LL) is a suitable means of achieving reliable reception in mobile environments. Prime candidates for LL-FEC had already been available schemes in the DVB family of standards: multiple-protocol encapsulation-FEC (MPE-FEC) and MPE interburst FEC (MPE-IFEC). Furthermore, different FEC codes may be applied within these schemes, i.e., Reed-Solomon (RS) or Raptor FEC codes. This paper introduces the integration of such schemes and codes on top of DVB-S2. In addition, we analyze the performance that can be achieved when applying these schemes with particular focus on two typical railway scenarios: 1) line of sight, together with the effect of railway power arches (LOS+PA), and 2) nonline of sight (nLOS). Both theoretical and simulation analyses reveal that LL-FEC can overcome typical fading effects in the railway scenario by selecting appropriate FEC codes and optimizing the coding parameters. We show that MPE-IFEC and extended MPE-FEC with Raptor codes-as finally specified in DVB-RCS+ M-consistently show superior results over those of other LL-FEC for railway scenarios. We also indicate signaling updates to allow achievable performance. As for practical implementation, we propose two possible novel cross-layer architectures for unicast DVB-S2 to provide quality of service (QoS). The architectures allow the migration from traditional packet encapsulation based on Moving Picture Experts Group 2-Transport Streams (MPEG2-TS) to new schemes, such as generic stream encapsulation (GSE).

The Performance Analysis of MPE-FEC Decoding Methods at the DVB-H Link Layer for Efficient IP Packet Retrieval

DVB-H is a new broadcasting standard, which offers reliable high data rate reception of IP packets for mobile handheld battery-powered devices. A link layer with multiprotocol encapsulation (MPE), including Reed-Solomon forward error correction (FEC) combined with a cyclic redundancy check (CRC), is defined in the standard to work on top of the DVB-T physical layer. For error correction in the receiver the DVB-H standard suggests to use erasure decoding based on the CRC information. Yet, the decoding method is not strictly determined in the standard. This paper investigates the performance of five different Reed-Solomon decoding schemes for the DVB-H link layer forward error correction called MPE-FEC. They differ on utilization strategy of existing erasure information. The performance of different decoding methods are evaluated analytically in an binary symmetric channel (BSC) and with simulations in the additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) and a mobile fading channel. For the simulations in the fading channel a packet channel model based on actual measurements is designed. It is shown that more sophisticated decoding methods than the one suggested in the standard are required for efficient retrieval of IP packets