Technical Principles
FEC Forward Error Correction Explained
What is FEC Forward Error Correction?
Forward Error Correction (FEC) is a coding technique that adds redundant data to transmissions before they leave the sender. This redundancy allows the receiver to reconstruct lost packets without waiting for retransmissions.
Unlike traditional TCP protocols that must request retransmission when packets are lost (wasting precious satellite bandwidth), FEC-encoded streams can recover from losses instantly using the redundant information already received.
CloudWing's adaptive FEC algorithm continuously monitors link quality and adjusts redundancy levels in real-time, ensuring optimal performance across varying network conditions.
| Feature | Traditional TCP | CloudWing FEC |
|---|---|---|
| Packet Loss Handling | Request retransmission | Instant recovery from redundancy |
| Latency Impact | High (waiting for RTT) | Minimal (no round-trip delay) |
| Bandwidth Utilization | ~50% in weak networks | ~70% improvement in 10% loss |
| Weak Network Performance | Severe degradation | Stable, predictable throughput |
System Workflow
Frontend Encoding
Data is encoded with FEC redundancy before entering the satellite link. Redundancy level adapts to current network conditions.
Satellite Transmission
Encoded data travels through the satellite link. Even if some packets are lost, the redundancy enables recovery.
Backend Decoding
The decoder reconstructs any lost packets from the received redundancy, delivering complete data to the application.
Core Features
Adaptive Redundancy
Automatically adjusts FEC overhead based on real-time link quality monitoring.
Overhead ranges from 0% (excellent conditions) to 50% (severe packet loss)
Transparent Access
No changes required to existing applications or protocols.
Works with HTTP, HTTPS, TCP, UDP without modification
No Access to Your Data
Operates at transport layer without inspecting payload content.
End-to-end encryption remains intact
Remote Visible Operations
Web-based dashboard for monitoring performance and adjusting parameters.
Real-time visibility into link utilization and packet recovery rates