Performance enhancement using forward error correction on power line communication channels

The use of forward error correction (FEC) coding is investigated, to enhance communication throughput and reliability on noisy power line networks. Rate one-half self-orthogonal convolutional codes are considered. These codes are known to be effective in other environments, and can be decoded inexpensively in real-time using majority logic decoders. Extensive bit and packet error rate tests were conducted on actual, noisy in-building power line links. Coding gains of 15 dB were observed at 10^-3 decoded bit error rates. A self-orthogonal (2, 1, 6) convolutional code with interleaving to degree 7 was particularly effective, and was implemented as a VLSI microelectronic chip. Its use improved data throughput and packet error rates substantially, at data transmission rates of 9,600 bits/s