Relationships between Gilbert-Elliot Burst Error Model Parameters and Error Statistics

Jaden Pieper; Stephen D. Voran

Abstract: The Gilbert-Elliot model is a popular and effective tool for treating bursty (nonindependent) errors in communication links. This memorandum provides linkages between model parameters and error statistics. The motivation is that these linkages can allow users to control models in order to obtain desired error statistics without any detailed understanding of Markov chains or probability. Features such as error rate and expected burst length are intuitive and also directly measurable in an error stream. This makes them natural candidates for controlling models after they are converted to the necessary model parameters (probabilities). We consider three different versions of the Gilbert-Elliot model and we present results for each. We also describe software that can be used to convert between error statistics and model parameters, to generate error patterns from a variety of variables, and also to estimate model parameters from an input error stream. This software is available at github.com/NTIA.

Keywords: Markov chain; bit errors; packet loss; bursty errors; error statistics; Gilbert-Elliot

(TM-23-565.pdf)

Disclaimer: Certain commercial equipment, components, and software may be identified in this report to specify adequately the technical aspects of the reported results. In no case does such identification imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, nor does it imply that the equipment or software identified is necessarily the best available for the particular application or uses.

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