Joint lossless-source and channel coding using ARQ/go-back-(N, M) for image transmission

The paper introduces a new transmission protocol that uses a joint lossless-source and channel coding scheme (JARQ). This protocol utilizes the self-synchronization property of lossless compression to generate indications of errors in the received data. This approach assures the reconstruction of images that were compressed in a lossless fashion and transmitted over a packet switched network, regardless of the error pattern that occurred during transmission. This new protocol is referred to as go-back-(N, M) JARQ. We evaluate the protocol by analyzing its throughput, and present simulation results that compare its throughput with those of conventional ARQ protocols. Using still images, we find significant gain in throughput performance for our go-back-(N, M) protocol, especially in moderate to low BERs, compared with that of the conventional go-back-N protocol. Moreover, by including packet combining, we find large throughput gains at low BERs, as well. This gain is realized for both random and burst errors. This approach provides: an increase in the code rate; a clear indication of error propagation; insensitivity to the type of error pattern - random or burst.