Abstract:

 We investigate the performance of multiple relays cooperativego back n automatic repeat request (MRC-GBn-ARQ) protocolwith limited retransmission. An N+2-state Markov transitionmodel is constructed for analyzing arbitrary packet transmissionprocess with limited retransmission. Then the system’s steadystatedistribution is derived by using the Kolmogorov equations.Further, the mean packet transmission delay and startup delayare obtained respectively; the channel utilization is derived basedon discrete-time Geom/G/1 queue model with startup. Also, weget the energy efficiency of the MRC-GBn-ARQ based on energyanalytical model. Especially, the presented models are contrary tothe classical ARQ protocols of always allowing infinite retransmission,and our analysis of the MRC-GBn-ARQ protocol with limitedretransmission provides theoretical results for reducing the system’sdelay and energy consumption. Finally, analysis is validatedthrough some numerical simulations.