Performance of ARQ go-back-N protocol in Markov channels with unreliable feedback: delay analysis

An ARQ go-back-N protocol with a time-out mechanism is studied. Transmissions on both the forward and the reverse channels are assumed to be subject to Markovian errors. An approach based on renewal theory is further extended and the steady state number of packets in the ARQ system is evaluated. This quantity is one of two components that contribute to the delay in the overall system. Simulation results, that confirm the analysis, are also presented. Based on the delay analysis, the trade-off involved in the choice of the time-out parameter is identified and discussed especially in the context of a mobile radio channel.