BER-based BLER prediction for LTE FDD DL channel with small delay dispersion

In this paper, we derive a prediction model for the block error rate (BLER) of an AWGN channel as a function of (known) bit error rate (BER) for transmission over small-delay-dispersion channels, such as indoor, where cyclic prefix protection mechanism reliably prevents inter-symbol interference due to multipath. By adopting hypergeometric rather than common binomial distribution of erroneous bits within a data block, a novel BLER prediction formula is derived and validated first by model-specific MC simulations. Then, it is verified in LTE FDD downlink channel conditions, using an industry-standard software simulation tool. The achieved test results are shown to match the block error rate prediction coming out of the developed model, within expected limits.