Application Note: Bit Error Ratio and Frame Error Ratio Testing

Request this application note to learn how Bit Error Ratio (BER) and Frame Error Ratio (FER) testing support Ethernet validation, reliability testing, and performance characterization with the Aukua MGA8410.

BER and FER testing help customers verify data integrity, understand error behavior, and determine how long to test based on Ethernet rate, target error ratio, and confidence level.

What This Application Note Covers

BER Testing Over Ethernet

Learn how Bit Error Ratio testing works over Ethernet links and how payload bit patterns can be measured inside Ethernet frames.

Frame Error Ratio Testing

Understand how Frame Error Ratio differs from Bit Error Ratio and why a single bit error can cause an entire Ethernet frame to fail FCS validation.

Test Duration and Confidence Level

Review how test time relates to target BER, bit rate, and confidence level when validating Ethernet performance.

MGA8410 BER and FER Test Setups

See common MGA8410 test configurations for loopback, multi-port, and bidirectional inline BER/FER testing.

Key Testing Considerations

• Use the largest L2 frame size supported by the system under test
• Set the highest frame rate supported by the system under test
• Choose a payload pattern with the right stress level
• Test at the lowest practical protocol layer
• Run the test long enough to reach the desired confidence level