An Adaptive Forward Error Correction Method for TDM Over Ethernet

It is of necessity to transport time division multiplexing (TDM) traffic over packet network such as Ethernet. When TDM traffic is carried over Ethernet, it is necessary to improve end-to-end performance of Ethernet network. Based on frame structure defined in IETF RFC3985 and MEF 8, a kind of frame structure that comprises forward error correction (FEC) contents is presented, and a FEC method based on the frame structure is brought forward. The method includes functions of regenerating lost packets functions as well as a mechanism that detects end-to-end performance and adaptively adjusts the FEC configuration. A device using the FEC method can interwork with an ordinary non-FEC device. Analysis for the FEC method is specified too. A kind of network device that realizes the FEC functions is designed and a test network topology is set up to test and evaluate the FEC method.