What is the purpose of Forward Error Correction (FEC)?

Forward Error Correction (FEC) is a technique used in data transmission that enables the receiver to detect and correct errors that may occur during the transmission process without needing a retransmission of the data. The primary purpose of FEC is to ensure data integrity by fixing missing or incorrect bits in a data stream, which is essential in environments where retransmission might be costly or impractical, such as in satellite communications or streaming media.

When data is sent over a network, it may encounter interference or other issues that can cause bits to be altered. FEC adds redundant data to the original message, allowing the receiver to identify errors and reconstruct the original information even if some of the bits have changed. This makes FEC particularly valuable in maintaining reliable communication channels, ensuring that the information received is as accurate as possible.

In contrast, the other options focus on functions that are not the primary aim of FEC. Data compression addresses the speed of transmission but does not inherently correct errors. Data security concerns encryption for confidentiality during transmission, while prioritizing packets relates to Quality of Service (QoS) and does not pertain to correcting errors within the data itself.