Throughput Analysis of ARQ Schemes in Gaussian Block Fading Channels

This paper examines throughput performance, and its optimization, for lossless and truncated automatic repeat request (ARQ) schemes in Gaussian block fading channels. Specifically, ARQ, repetition redundancy, and in part also incremental redundancy-hybrid ARQ, are considered with various diversity schemes. We propose a parameterization-based method that allows (semi-)closed-form expressions, linking optimized throughput, optimal rate, and mean SNR, to be derived for any ARQ and repetition redundancy-HARQ method even when a non-parameterized closed-form does not exist. We derive numerous throughput and optimal throughput expressions for various ARQ schemes and diversity scenarios, potentially useful for benchmarking purposes or as design guidelines.