Optimizing LDPC and BCH Forward Error Correction for Improved Reliability and Reduced Bit Errors in Low-SNR DVB-T2 Transmission Environments

Digital Video Broadcasting–Terrestrial Second Generation (DVB-T2) systems are increasingly deployed for high-quality terrestrial broadcasting. However, low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions in urban and fringe coverage areas pose significant challenges, resulting in elevated bit error rates (BER) and degraded service reliability. Forward Error Correction (FEC) techniques, particularly Low-Density Parity-Check (LDPC) and Bose–Chaudhuri–Hocquenghem (BCH) codes, play a crucial role in mitigating transmission errors and ensuring robust communication. This study investigates a systematic approach to optimizing LDPC and BCH FEC schemes to enhance transmission reliability and minimize BER under low-SNR conditions in DVB-T2 networks. Using simulation-based analyses, the study evaluates multiple LDPC code rates (e.g., 1/2, 2/3, 3/4) in combination with BCH codeword lengths and error-correcting capabilities. Results indicate that an optimized LDPC (64800, 32400) configuration combined with a BCH (255, 239) code significantly reduces BER, achieving approximately 10⁻⁵ at an SNR of 2 dB, compared to a BER of 10⁻³ using standard DVB-T2 FEC configurations. Additionally, iterative decoding algorithms for LDPC were fine-tuned to balance convergence speed and error correction performance, demonstrating a 25% reduction in decoding iterations without compromising reliability. The analysis also explores trade-offs between redundancy, throughput, and latency, highlighting the practical considerations for real-world deployment. The findings underscore that strategic optimization of LDPC/BCH FEC parameters is critical for maintaining broadcast quality in low-SNR scenarios. By enhancing error resilience and reducing BER, the proposed approach improves signal integrity, supports consistent reception in fringe areas, and maximizes spectrum efficiency. This work provides a foundation for adaptive FEC strategies in future DVB-T2 systems, enabling broadcasters to deliver reliable high-definition content even under challenging channel conditions.