Causes Of Network Bit Errors Noise Attenuation

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Bit error rate is a parameter that is used to assess systems that transmit digital data over networks or from location to location. Bit error rate can be applied to data links and can be used in fiber optic systems. It is also used for Ethernet or for systems that transmit data over networks where noise and interference and phase jitter can occur. This can cause the digital signal to become degraded.

Bit error rate, or BER, is the rate at which errors occur in a transmission system, specifically the number of errors in a string of a stated number of bits. There is a formula that gives the actual value of bit rate error. The formula is: the bit error rate equals the number of errors divided by the number of bits sent. This is represented as: BER = number of errors/number of bits sent.

The bit error rate adequately reflects the performance of a data link such as a radio or a fiber optic system. If the medium between the transmitter and the receiver is good and the signal to noise ratio is high, then the bit error rate will not be large. In fact, it might be insignificant. This means that it will not have any significant effect on the overall system. But if the noise can be heard, then the bit error rate will have to be taken into account.

Network bit errors which result in a bit rate error and the degradation of a data channel, are caused by noise and changes to the propagation path where radio signal paths are being used. Both of these effects have a random element involved. This is because the noise follows a Gaussian probability function while the propagation model tends to follow a Rayleigh model. This means that statistical analysis techniques are generally used to analyze the channel characteristics.

Insofar as fiber optics systems, the bit errors generally come from imperfections in the components that are used to make the links. These components include receivers, the optical driver, connectors and even the optic fiber. Here optical dispersion and attenuation can also lead to bit errors. Similarly, noise introduced into the optical receiver can bring about bit errors. There may be high levels of noise in the photodiodes and in the amplifiers that are very sensitive to noise and thus can lead to bit errors. Another factor that contributes to bit error is a phase jitter in the system. This can change the sampling of the data.

Bit error rate is a good way to assess the performance of a data system. It is able to determine the full end-to-end performance of the affected system. This includes the transmitter as well as the receiver and the medium between the transmitter and the receiver. BER can test the actual performance of the whole system in cooperation rather than testing the components of the system separately and trying to get them to work together.

The bit error rate draws attention to the performance of a data link such as a radio or a fiber optic system and gives technicians very accurate information about the problem of noise attenuation and how it can be remedied. The reason for this is that knowledge of the BER allows certain features of the link to be analyzed. These features include the power and the bandwidth. The bandwidth can be reset or reduced so that the level of interference is also reduced. However, when the bandwidth is reduced, it can sometimes limit the data throughput. Therefore a delicate balance must be achieved. It is also possible to raise the power level of the system. This can increase the power per bit, though this might result in higher interference levels.

These elements can then be adjusted to precise levels in order to enable the required performance of the system to be obtained. It is the precision of the bit error rate that makes these adjustments possible.

Resource by Will

I am the editor for TheFreeResource.com, and owner of LinchpinSEO, a small business content creation company. The Free Resource has a select community of talented writers, teachers, and business people (and we are always looking for more) that bring you the most trusted resources on the web and credible articles about many topics.

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