Error control definition
Error control is a method used in computer networking and telecommunications that detects and corrects data transmitted from the source to the end user. If the data that users share is identical to the data they receive – there are no errors, and the data is safe. However, hackers can abuse and corrupt data while it is in transmission and steal it by gaining unauthorized access. This method ensures that the data is reliable because it checks the characters at the bit and packet level. For example, a bit error shows that hackers might have attacked only one part of the data, while in a burst error, there might be more data changes.
See also: malicious code, exploit
Error control mechanisms
- Forward error control. It implies adding redundant information to the transmitted data that enables finding and fixing errors at the receiving end. The redundant bits become part of the data before the transmission process, and they successfully repair and identify errors without sending any feedback. Users can implement FEC using techniques such as error-correcting codes or using interleaving techniques.
- Feedback error control. It involves feedback from the receiver if it detects an error in the shared data. As a result, the sender can change the transmission parameters, such as modulation methods or power levels, improving the quality of data transfer and decreasing the possibility of errors. Usually, FBC implies using techniques such as automatic repeat requests (ARQ).
