A method for controlling link margins and a data communication system for maintaining desired link margins

摘要

In the communication system 10, the receiving node 14 estimates the bit error rate (BER) and the accuracy of its BER estimate based on a single burst of the data communication signal 12. An appropriate decision rule 92 is selected in response to the BER accuracy estimate. Different decision rules 92 are available so that different crystals can be biased to produce the desired result. The bias is constructed in response to the BER accuracy estimate. The selected decision rule 92 is evaluated 96 in terms of the estimated BER. In response to this evaluation, the transmitting node 14 may be instructed 104 to increase or decrease its transmit power level. Furthermore, the BER can be measured and the measured value can be used to confirm the fitness of the decision rule 92. [