When taking bit error rate (BER) readings, what does a heavily working forward correction error (FEC) indicate?

A heavily working forward error correction (FEC) indicates that the system is experiencing a significant number of errors in the transmitted data. FEC is a method used to detect and correct errors in data transmission without the need for retransmission. When FEC is heavily engaged, it suggests that there are many errors that the correction mechanism must address, which can lead to degraded performance.

This situation implies that the underlying transmission is compromised, potentially due to issues such as noise, interference, or degradation of the signal quality. The system is not functioning optimally; instead, it is on the brink of failure as it relies heavily on error correction to maintain communication integrity. Hence, a heavily working FEC is a clear indicator that immediate attention may be required to investigate and rectify the issues causing the high error rates.