Abstract: A method of switching from one signal path to another signal path in a digital communication system in which a digital signal is received in each of two signal paths, and the number of bits in error in the digital signal is estimated for each signal path for each of successive time periods by using a syndrome count available from a forward error correction algorithm before the digital signal is forward error corrected. If a predetermined bit error rate is exceeded in one of the signal paths in the time period, the corrected signal in other signal path is selected before the end of the time period. If the predetermined bit error rate is not exceeded by either of the first and second signal paths in the time period, the selected signal path may remain unchanged, or the signal path with the lowest number of estimated errors may be selected after the end of the time period.

Abstract: A method and system for adjusting the gain of an output from a replacement component in a system with plural components responsive to changing operating conditions so that a power level of an output from the system is approximately the same as a power level of an output from the system before installation of the replacement component. A system memory stores a relationship of gain responsive to changing operating conditions for each of plural components in the system, and each replacement component has a component memory for storing a relationship of gain responsive to changing operating conditions. The relationship stored in the component memory is copied to the system memory when the replacement component is installed in the system.