Burst error length estimation using automata theory

A three state channel model is used to obtain the burst error probability P(b,m) and message success throughput for narrowband radio channels, P(b,m) is the probability of making b errors in a block of m bits. Successful message throughput calculations are obtained as functions of data packet size and the number of errors which can be corrected using forward error correcting codes. The relationships between packet sizes, number of errors that can be corrected and average error probabilities are established. Computer simulations confirm the correctness of predictions. The method will be extended to predict error performances for wideband transmission schemes