Throughput analysis of Go-Back-N ARQ in Markov channels with unreliable feedback

In this paper, an ARQ Go-Back-N protocol with unreliable feedback and time-out mechanism is considered. Both the forward and the reverse channels are subjected to a Markovian error structure. Based on a Markov chain approach, a theory is developed which enables us to extend past results, and to exactly evaluate the throughput performance of this protocol, for which only approximate or simulation approaches are available in the literature. Simulation checks are performed, which confirm the goodness of our analysis. Results are given, and the trade-off involved in the choice of the time-out parameter is identified and discussed. An example of application to mobile radio is also presented.