Comparison of two ARO protocols in a Rayleigh fading channel

Abstract

Go-back-n (GBN) and selective repeat (SR) protocols for automatic repeat request (ARQ) protocols are compared in a frequency-nonselective Rayleigh fading channel. The channel coding used is assumed to be for error detection only; therefore, the throughput reduction due to coding is smaller than if the coding were used for error correction. Only practical ARQ protocols that can be implemented in real-time applications with finite-buffering capability are considered. Protocols implemented in software are used in a computer-simulated fading channel to study the throughput of these protocols for data communications. It is found that SR is significantly superior to GBN when fading rate is high; this advantage decreases as fading becomes slower. Error detection combined with ARQ and diversity selection can provide reliable data communications in a Rayleigh fading channel.<>